2018 Education Issue - Legacy South Florida

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South Florida

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

MAKING ALL THE RIGHT MOVES Introducing Broward College's New President Gregory Haile

MEET SOUTH FLORIDA’S ‘TOP BLACK EDUCATOR’ HONOREES OF 2018

FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY WELCOMES NEW INTERIM PRESIDENT

Gregory Haile

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EDITOR’S NOTE South Florida

4. SOUTH FLORIDA’S TOP BLACK EDUCATORS OF 2018 6. THE BAUGHTOM LINE

By Dr. Germaine Baugh-Smith PALM BEACH REPORT

By Ann Marie Sorrell 7. EXECUTIVE SUITE Son of Former Chief Justice Campaigns for Florida Attorney General

By Zach Rinkins 8. BUSINESS REPORT

By Beatrice Louissaint POLITICS

By Chris Norwood 10. COVER STORY Broward College Enters New Era Gregory Haile Brings Life Experiences, Service to President’s Role

By Isheka Harrison 12. PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP Broward College Initiative Helps Minority Male Students Graduate Program Led by ‘Top Educator’ Honoree Dr. Thomas Walker

By Zach Rinkins CAREER LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

By Mary Davids 13. ENTREPRENEURSHIP

By Dr. Tracy Timberlake BROWARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

By Shaheewa Jarett Gelin 14. MEDIATION/ARBITRATION

By Stanley Zamor SPECIAL TO LEGACY Hospice Needs Educators to Help Communities Understand Its Special Services

By Shirley Thimothee-Paul 16. PALM BEACH COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE

By Soulan Johnson FORT LAUDERDALE: NATIONAL MODEL FOR DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

By Ann Marie Sorrell 17. PINNACLE A Dream Becomes Reality for FMU’s New Interim President Dr. Jaffus Hardrick Plans to Move the Miami Gardens HBCU Forward

By Angeline Taylor 18. ABOUT TOWN 100 Black Men of America, Inc. 24th Annual Conference 5000 Role Models of Excellence Signing Day 19. LEGACY BRIEFS SPECIAL TO LEGACY Preparing South Florida’s Businesses and Homes for the 2018 Storm Season

By Richard Gibbs

Russell Motley and Yvensky Gedna As a professor by day, this issue of Legacy South Florida holds special meaning for me. Teaching journalism at Florida Memorial University for the last seven years, I’ve learned firsthand what it takes to be an effective educator: logging long hours outside of class time, doubling as a life coach, coughing up personal funds for school supplies, grading students’ writing assignments

during the wee hours of the morning, connecting graduating seniors with potential employers – all while maintaining a healthy dose of patience.

The sacrifices most educators make are endless. But they can yield high rewards, particularly when students realize their potential and make good on their career aspirations.

It’s a process that must start long before students reach college, though.

Enter the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, founded by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.

Recently, I participated in the organization’s unique tradition for young Black males graduating high school in South Florida. Similar to National Signing Day for athletes committing to a collegiate sports program, mentees in the 5000 Role Models hold their own signing day to tell the world to which institution of higher learning they'll be matriculating.

The images are powerful (see page

18BB). Handsome Black teens, sporting red custom-made Sean John ties, committed to changing their life’s trajectory for the better. Take Yvensky Gedna, 17, a graduate of Miami’s Turner Technical Arts High School. I had the privilege of standing with Gedna on signing day as he committed to Heidelberg University in Ohio, where he’ll play football and study business administration. He credits the 5000 Role Models for saving his life.

“I wouldn’t be on the same path as I am now,” said Gedna. “I’d be where everyone expects a Black man to be at this age – in the streets.”

Gedna is the first in his family to attend college. And paving the way for his younger brother and sister, he said hopes he’s not the last.

Educators and villagers teaming up to transform boys into men.

Russell Motley

Editor-in-Chief, Legacy Magazine rm@miamediagrp.com

Subscribe to and view the digital version of Legacy Magazine Facebook: Facebook.com/TheMIAMagazine Twitter and Instagram: @TheMIAMagazine #BeInformed #BeInfluential #BlackHistoryMonth CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS "The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and na�onal antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Ha�ng no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all hurt as long as anyone is held back."

Member of the Black Owned Media Alliance (BOMA)

Dexter A. Bridgeman CEO & Founder Russell Motley Editor-in-Chief Zach Rinkins Editor-at-Large

Yanela G. McLeod Copy Editor Shannel Escoffery Associate Editor Md Shahidullah Art Director

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Introducing South Florida's Top Black Educators of 2018

Judith Case Literacy Coach Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Michael Christie, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer Florida International University Department of Biomedical Engineering

Jessie M Colin, PhD, RN, FRE, FAAN

Belinda Daise School Counseling Director Broward County Public Schools

Derrick Gilbert

Dr. Ryan Holmes Asst. VP of Student Afffairs/Dean of Students Univeristy of Miami

Courtney Kambobe Program Director Crockett Foundation

Jamal King Elementary School Counselor Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Chandra Mickles

Derek Negron Principal Carol City Middle School

John Pace III Assistant/Region Superintendent of Central Region Office Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Stephanie Pierre Educator Dade Public Schools

Latoya Porter Teacher Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Alexia Rolle, Ed.D. Department Chair of Student Services Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Donald Roomes Instructor and Assistant Chair, Management & International Business Florida International University

Jana Rutherford Assistant Professor of Marketing Barry University

Cisely Scott Principal Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Porschia Shelton Middle School Educator School District of Palm Beach County

Darwyn Allen Sr. Social Science Teacher School District of Palm Beach County

Elodie Billionniere Associate Professor Miami Dade College InterAmerican Campus

Olveen Carrasquillo MD, MPH Professor of Medicine & Public Health, Chief Division of General Internal Medicine University of Miami

Tammy Freeman English Teacher/BCPS Teacher of the Year Monarch High School

Michelle Garcia, Ed.D. Dean of Academic Affairs Johnson & Wales University, North Miami Campus

Marie Denise Gervais Assistant Dean for Admissions and Diversity University of Miami/ Miller School of Medicine

Brian Knowles

Tisa McGhee Associate Professor Barry University

Winfred Porter Jr. Assistant Principal/ BCPS Assistant Principal of the Year Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S.

Neisha Richie Reading & Writing Interventionist Ray of Hope Academy-Florida LLC

Manager - Office of African, African American, Latino, and Gender Studies The School District of Palm Beach County

Dionne Stephens Associate Professor of Psychology Florida International University

Doctor/Associate Professor/Optometrist Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry

Stephen Symes, M.D. Associate Dean Diversity and Inclusion/ Associate Professor University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

School District Educator and Director of the Bold Leadership Excelsum Palm Beach County School District/ Bold Leadership Excelsum (BLX)

Thomas Walker, Ph.D Associate Dean, Business Administration Broward College

Steve White Educational Consultant Hattie's Child

Professor and Director of Nursing PhD Program Barry University, College of Nursing and Sciences

Van Williams Dean Palm Beach State College

Corvette Yacoob Interim Director NP and DNP Specialization Programs Barry University

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THE BAUGHTOM LINE

Wanted: More African-American Educators to Fight for Our Students

By Germaine Smith-Baugh

More than 60 years after the Brown v.

Board of Education decision, many talented African-American educators are still influencing countless numbers of students. We need more of them right now because the reality is America’s public school system is a different place for many minority students than it is for white students.

Case and point: Federal education data shows that in recent years African-American students nationally were three times more likely to be suspended than white students. These suspensions occurred most commonly in secondary schools, but African-American

children were more than twice as likely to be suspended from preschool as well.

Too often, many African-American students have been punitively disciplined for relatively minor infractions such as showing disrespect to teachers, willful disobedience or talking too loudly.

Harsher discipline for AfricanAmerican students has been a national problem for a long time – so what can we do about it?

To address the problem, many school districts across the nation, including the Broward County School District, have implemented programs that divert students – many of them AfricanAmerican who committed minor crimes on school campus – to avoid putting them on the path to more serious suspensions or even incarceration.

Locally, one of those programs is called Promise, which covers about a dozen misdemeanor offenses and is

credited with reducing student arrests for minor infractions. Before that program, the Broward County School District had far more arrests for minor crimes than any other county in Florida, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

And then when the Parkland school shooting happened in February, Promise became the subject of intense criticism. It turned out that the 19-year-old shooter who killed 17 students and adults and wounded another 17, was referred to the program, but he never participated.

Many critics claimed the program covered up high crime rates in Broward schools.

No matter how you look at it, our education leaders have to work harder to overcome unfair suspension and expulsion practices. School districts, rightfully, need to keep experimenting with various approaches to mitigating punitive discipline practices that harshly

hit African-American students, hurting their dignity, lowering their achievement and pushing some to drop out of school and get in trouble with the law.

There’s a significant cost factor, too.

The Civil Rights Project at the University of California, Los Angeles released a study showing that suspensions in 10th grade alone result in more than 67,000 high school dropouts. Over the course of a lifetime, each dropout is responsible for $163,000 in lost tax revenue and $364,000 in other social costs, including health care and criminal justice expenses.

Cumulatively, researchers estimated the total cost of 10th-grade dropouts exceeds $35 billion.

The Baughtom Line is this: Education data underscores the importance of finding other ways to discipline unruly students, but those approaches have to be implemented without making schools less safe and preventing effective learning.

PALM BEACH REPORT

Mayor’s Village Initiative Aims to Reduce Homicides of Young Black Males

By Ann Marie Sorrell

School is out and the summer is upon us.

Each year, cities across South Florida face a common theme – a lack of activities and events for teenagers and young adults.

Unfortunately, and too often, the outcome is a spark in crimes that range from disruptive behaviors to gun violence. Even more devastating are the incidents and homicides that occur in minority communities among African-American males ages 15-24.

In 2014, City of West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio made a commitment to create an initiative that would work on reducing violence-related deaths and improving the outcomes of AfricanAmerican boys and young men in the most distressed area of the city. That is when the Mayor's Village Initiative was

birthed. The “village” consists of government agencies, businesses, concerned citizens, faith communities, non-profits, philanthropic organizations, and schools.

The City acts as an umbrella and pulls these vast resources together to guide the initiative. Over the years, through the Mayor's Village Initiative, the focus has been primarily in Workforce Development and Prevention/Intervention programs.

This year, the Mayor’s Village Initiative partnered with Cities United (citiesunited.org) to expand its vision and develop a plan of action for African-American boys and young men in the North End of the city, which encompasses the Historic Northwest, Coleman Park, and Pleasant City communities. The plan will expand into three additional areas: Education, Health, and Reentry.

Cities United supports a growing, national network of more than 120 mayors committed to working with their

communities to create solutions to cut the homicide rate of young Black men and boys in half by the year 2025.

Cities United provides effective pathways to safe, healthy, and hopeful communities by offering cities the resources and opportunities they need to keep young people safe.

The city of West Palm Beach Mayor’s Village Initiative together with Cities United is committed to building a safe, healthy and hopeful City for everyone.The initiative will also work with several programs already in place in Palm Beach County to explore how they can align elements of these initiatives in the targeted area of the city.

This Fall, the program will roll out a comprehensive plan that will address the five pillars and incorporate national and local strategic collaborations and partnerships.In the meantime, the Mayor’s Office is hosting its annual Summer Jobs Program, an eight-week paid internship for teens ages 16-18 years old.

The program assists in developing a diverse pool of talent for the city’s future workforce needs. Interns work 16 hours a week with city departments and attend four-hour workshops every Friday. In addition, and for the first time, the City has engaged non-profits and the business community to host an intern.

For teens ages 12-18 looking for pro-social activities in a safe environment, the initiative is hosting Teens Unite, a collaboration of several youth development programs in the North End of the City including Gaines Park Community, Coleman Park Community Center, Youth Empowerment Center, Police Athletic League, Salvation Army Northwest Community Center, and the Boys & Girls Club every Saturday night, from 7 p.m.-10 p.m.

To get involved and to learn more about the Mayor’s Village Initiative and Summer Jobs Program, contact Kevin Jones at kljones@wpb.org or (561) 822-1413.

MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

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EXECUTIVE SUITE

Son of Former Chief Justice Campaigns for Florida Attorney General

By Zach Rinkins

Sean Shaw Intends to Enforce State Constitutional Amendments

From the steps of the Florida Supreme Court in January, Sean Shaw, a political scion, second-generation attorney, and state legislator recently launched his campaign to become attorney general for the state of Florida.

If Shaw has his way, on August 28, he will defeat his fellow primary candidates to become the Democratic nominee for what he describes as, “The best office in the state.”

“The people of Florida are your client,” asserts Shaw, a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Florida’s law school. “You wake up every day trying to figure out how to protect them. The greatest thing you can do is serve others.”

In 2016, the Jacksonville-born and Tallahassee-raised litigator was elected state representative for District 61. His platform addresses the opioid crisis, gun violence, and criminal justice reform. He received endorsements from the Florida Professional Firefighters, Florida Education Association, and Florida Police Benevolent Association, and Bob Graham, former U.S. senator and former Florida governor.

I AM SOMEONE THAT IS GOING TO BE ACTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL IN MAKING SURE THAT LAWS ARE ENFORCED EQUALLY. A general election victory would yield Florida its first Black attorney general.

Making history is the Shaw family way.

“When you have someone like Leander Shaw as your father, it just affects how your life goes,” says Shaw, referring to his father who was Florida’s first Black Supreme Court chief justice. “I really

Sean Shaw debates on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives. believe in this idea of public service. I grew up around it.”

Shaw is an insurance attorney, a lawmaker, and crisscrosses the state campaigning on the legal philosophy that, “Everyone is equal under the law.”

Despite serving an unfinished first term as an elected official, Shaw interjects, “These are not normal times.”

“When I was considering whether or not to do this, I looked at what was going on around this country,” Shaw says.

“Some of the things the president was doing inspired me to do something. It’s the attorneys general around the country who are suing the president about privacy, net neutrality, seeking his tax returns, opposing travel bans, and challenging him on important issues.”

Shaw, whose first statewide position was serving as insurance consumer advocate, insists, “The president has to follow the law just like anyone else.” He says if elected he aims to give Floridians a greater voice.

“A lot of the bad stuff that emanates from Tallahassee is the result of the Legislature. We have constitutional amendments that the people passed that the Legislature doesn’t enforce. Whether it is public education, medicinal cannabis, or the environment, there are certain things that the voters tell us to do and we don’t do them,” he discloses.

“The attorney general is the only person who can hold the Legislature accountable under those circumstances.”

Shaw says residents deserve higher

service standards.

“I am someone that is going to be active and aggressive as attorney general in making sure that laws are enforced equally,” says Shaw.

Whether it’s the smallest fraudster on the state, the largest bad actor in the state doing wrong to the people, and anywhere in between,” Shaw declares. “Whoever is breaking the law is going to hear from Attorney General Shaw. Everyone has to follow the same set of rules.”

Shaw says he takes the oath of office “very seriously” and promises to, “remember why I ran, remember what I told the people I would do if elected, and work every day to get it done.”

For more information, log on to www.seanshaw.com.

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BUSINESS REPORT

By Beatrice Louissaint

Public Educational Institutions Must Spend More With Minority-Owned Businesses

Estimates put the economic impact of South Florida’s universities and colleges at more than $7 billion annually – and many estimates show a far greater impact.

The region’s three local public school systems have a combined budget of nearly $5 billion. All of these institutions are crucial to our community and could have an even greater impact if they spent more of their purchasing dollars with minority-owned businesses.

In South Florida, minority-owned and small companies comprise the majority of enterprises. Miami-Dade County’s population is 86 percent minority, Broward County is 62 percent minority and Palm Beach County is 44 percent minority. The region’s colleges

POLITICS

By Chris Norwood

MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

and universities have both the opportunity and the responsibility to do more business with minority-owned companies.

Certainly, the procurement offices of many local educational institutions understand the importance of minority-owned businesses to the region’s economy. They work to open procurement opportunities to these businesses and some have full-time staff members responsible for increasing participation of minority-owned businesses and helping them navigate the procurement process.

But South Florida’s educational institutions are only scratching the surface of their potential to impact our minority communities. I challenge them to set a goal of spending 10 percent of their total budgets with minority-owned businesses. Imagine the impact these institutions could have with that type of commitment. Prosperity would grow in minority communities – which make up

the majority of the population in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

These institutions would see more economically stable students, more donors, and more successful businesses looking to hire their graduates.

Here’s what it might look like if local public education institutions spent 10 percent of their budgets with minority-owned companies: • Florida International University: $97 million in operating purchases from minority businesses • Miami Dade College: $29 million in operating purchases from minority businesses • Miami-Dade County Public Schools: $85 million in purchases from minority businesses • Broward College: $17 million in operating purchases from minority businesses • Broward County Public Schools: $220 million in operating and capital purchases from minority businesses

• Florida Atlantic University: $76 million in operating purchases from minority businesses • Palm Beach State College: $18 million in operating purchases from minority businesses • School District of Palm Beach County: $180 million in purchases from minority businesses I don’t imagine that setting or reaching these goals will be simple or easy, but community partners such as the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC), the South Florida Hispanic Chamber, the Association of South Florida Black Chambers, minority professional associations and others are eager to help.

Beatrice Louissaint is president and CEO of the FSMSDC, which acts as a liaison between corporate America and Minority Business Enterprises in the state of Florida, and operates U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency Business Centers serving southern and central Florida.

Learn more about the FSMSDC atfsmsdc.org, or call (305) 762-6151.

Black Voters Must Support Black Excellence in Politics

Black excellence is a phrase that expresses the importance of AfricanAmerican achievement in all forms.

We recognize this excellence in the arts but not so much in politics. We readily support Black art and collect it whether visual, musical, or theatrical.

But when it comes to Black politics, we don't patronize candidates who support and exemplify Black thought or the human rights of Black families. We often choose party over family. We are often misled by people who look like us.

You don't have to be Black to support and embrace African-American values in public policy. Pro-Black isn't an ethnicity. It’s a philosophy. White men can jump and Michael McDonald has soul.

I recently attended the National Black Family Conference (at Hampton

University) where author and educator Dr. James Peterson delivered a powerful discussion about “The Influence of Culture-Based Practices on Improving Educational Outcomes for African-Americans.”

Dr. Peterson brilliantly critiqued the blockbuster universally praised film “Black Panther,” produced and directed

by Black men and which stars a who’s who of Black acting talents. The film boasts an accumulation of Black artistic talent unlike anything we have witnessed in recent cinematic history. It illustrates what Dr. Peterson calls Black people’s greatest resource, our ‘Vibranium’ – Black film, Black music, Black art – Black culture. This film has the potential to inspire not just the African-American community, which championed the movie, but also the broader black community including African, Caribbean, and Afro-Latin American immigrants, and even the African diaspora.”

The $1 billion success of the “Black Panther” film shows that culturally

relevant Black art can be commercially successful and produce historic shifts in pop culture. It shows that the Black community's support of the arts can drive others to the theaters, which in turn creates enormous economic potential.

Sociologist Patricia Banks makes this point as well. Banks argues that: "While many observers believe that the value of art is determined by its intrinsic properties...rare and unusual talent is not enough to vault an artist from obscurity to the spotlight. For art to be recognized as worthy it must have champions such as collectors who nudge it forward to be granted entrance into the canon."

Our “Vibranium” is our culture and we should utilize it in political spaces as well. Too often we think of patronage as coming from exclusive singular philanthropic individuals. We don’t think enough about communities of patrons; groups of folks who support candidates that matter to them. In a community of patrons with monetary resources, word-of-mouth promotion and critical discourses are all the more

powerful.

Today, an extraordinary young Black man is running for governor of Florida as a Democrat. Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum has served 15 years in municipal government service in our state's capital.

His resume of elected office is literally twice as long as the other four Democratic candidates combined experience.

When 30 percent of the Florida Democratic Party is African American, our support should be lifting him above the fray so the masses can see him. As a community we can support our own.

Our challenge is to continuously define and redefine what is beautiful in our body politic. The solution is readily available. We just need to imagine a world that doesn't yet exist so we can then work for what is to come.

Christopher Norwood, J.D. is the spokesman for the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida and principal of The Norwood Consulting Group.

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COVER STORY

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MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

Broward College Enters New Era

Gregory Haile Brings Life Experiences, Service to President’s Role

Broward College has a new commander-in-chief, but Gregory Adam Haile is no stranger to the institution. An attorney by trade, Haile served as the first in-house chief legal counsel and vice-president for public policy and government affairs for the school, which has boasted more than 63,000 students across several campuses, since 2011.

Chosen from a pool of 50 candidates, Haile brings a wealth of experience and an interesting backstory that uniquely qualifies him to become the seventh president of Broward College.

Born and raised in the Jamaica Queens area of New York in the 1980s, the 40-year-old vividly recalled growing up in a violent, impoverished neighborhood.

“It was unfortunately typical for there to be helicopters flying over my home, for there to be gunshots heard on a routine basis,” Haile recalled. “I actually had a bullet hit my window right in front of my house. It was not a great place to live,” he continued describing stores with metal detectors and bullet proof glass, a movie theater with a bulletproof hallway and being badly beaten by a dozen guys, which caused him to be rushed to the hospital.

Initially, Haile didn’t know college was an option for him. However, his future trajectory changed when his mother used someone else’s address to send him to a better school in a more affluent neighborhood.

“When I was in sixth grade, I was graduating elementary school and it was 1989,” he reflected. “I remember telling a classmate who was much better off than me financially, ‘Isn’t this amazing? We’re going to be the last class of the decade,’ and he said, ‘No, we’re going to be the last class of the millennium because we’re going to graduate college in 1989.’ That was the very first time I had ever heard anything about college.”

The statement opened Haile up to possibilities he didn’t know existed despite returning to his neighborhood’s Springfield Gardens High School, which he described as “easily one of the worst

Broward College President Gregory Haile talks to students at the central campus in Davie.

high schools in New York.”

“I remember just the environment of high school where college just wasn’t seen as a natural consequence of life or of an education experience. I think I was the only person on my block to go to college,” Haile said.

Haile’s desire for a better life persisted and he ended up attending Arizona State University without even visiting the campus after being accepted.

“I hoped there would be something out there for me and I still reflected upon that sixth-grade conversation about going to college and eventually graduating one day,” Haile said.

Like many first-generation college students with similar backgrounds, Haile said he required remedial education, struggled with studying, and didn’t do so well his first semester.

He explained: “I didn’t know how to study or perform at a high level academically.… Part of figuring that out was believing that I could actually get better at these things.… If I didn’t have the confidence to know that I could go

from being a bad student to a better student to one day a good student, then I would never be able to take that trek.”

Haile said he eventually mastered the art of studying and became a straight-A student. He was selected as the most outstanding undergraduate among the 13,000 students enrolled in the ASU College of Public Programs. He also became the first to graduate in his family, which included more than 130 cousins.

He said the experience taught him that despite growing up in a tough environment, not having a network or other conditions that help dictate success, the amount of effort he put into his goal could dictate his outcomes.

“What I really learned was that if I dedicated just time,” he said, “if I started early, I went late, even if it meant that I was going to be working apparently harder than others … I could make the difference.”

Haile said he took that life-changing lesson with him to Columbia University where he studied law. He also carried it with him into a successful career as a

lawyer who is passionate about community service.

“It’s so important in life no matter what background you’re from to think about the things you can control,” he advised. “If we can focus on the things we can control we can have what we desire.”

Haile moved to South Florida in 2002 and started his career at Holland & Knight LLP after visiting to make a surprise proposal to his now wife Chae.

Once becoming a resident, he said he didn’t hesitate to get involved in the community.

“I truly enjoy wrestling with issues that others find a challenge. I have served on approximately 30 boards and committees since moving down here,” Haile said, noting he is driven to help others because he will never forget his upbringing. He brings the same passion to his tenure as president of Broward College.

“Nothing has been more transformative for me than the educational experiences that I’ve had,” Haile said. “September 12, 2011 was my first day [at Broward College] and since then I’ve felt like the most blessed professional on the planet. I am prayerful and hopeful that I can play some role in helping them realize the potential that they may not think that they have.”

Haile maintains that service is his top priority. “I view this role as an opportunity to serve,” he shared. “It is serving in a different way than I have in the past. It is a unique opportunity to serve. It’s a humbling opportunity to serve and I’m honored by this opportunity to hopefully help students who may not see their greatest future in themselves or their current circumstances,” Haile said.

His advice to anyone looking to chart a successful path is reflected in the morning affirmation he recites with his daughters, Hadley, 6, and Sloan, 3.

“If we can have integrity and maintain optimism, notwithstanding the challenges that we face on any given day, I think we all offer ourselves an opportunity to be successful,” Haile said.

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PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP

Broward College Initiative Helps Minority Male Students Graduate

By Zach Rinkins

Program Led by ‘Top Educator’ Honoree Dr. Thomas Walker

As millions of Americans debate the merits of acquiring a college education, Broward College's Minority Male Initiative has earned recognition for helping underserved students cultivate resilience, gain upward mobility, and graduate.

"Having an education increases our quality of life and life expectancy,” said MMI Chairman Thomas Walker, Ph.D, who is also interim associate dean for Academic Affairs at Broward College. “It also decreases crime and incarceration rates. A more educated community brings up the entire community. I encourage everyone to get as much education as you can afford and have the mental capacity to achieve."

While minority male students have similar academic potential and career

ambitions as their cultural counterparts, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data found that White and Asian students graduated from college within six years at 62 percent and 63.2 percent, respectively. Black and Hispanic students graduated at rates of 38 percent and 45.8 percent.

BC's approach and special initiatives like MMI aggressively confront and help students overcome those circumstances.

Diverse Issues in Higher Education ranked BC third in the nation for conferring associate degrees to minority students. It also ranked high among Black (second) and Hispanic (fifth) graduates. MMI seeks to continue to contribute to those results.

"Research suggests minority males have challenges with moving toward degree attainment largely in part due to a lack of access to resources," explained Walker, a Legacy South Florida 2018 Top Black Educator honoree. "MMI aims to remove the barriers that get in the way of their end goal."

NSCRC research notes 41 percent of students at American colleges graduate within four years. Roughly 55 percent graduate within six years. U.S. Department of Education data highlights that minority students are more likely to qualify for need-based assistance than other students. Despite those challenges, MMI helps students cultivate resilience and fully embrace being a BC student.

"Students perform better when they feel connected to and a part of their institution,” adds Walker. “We've also found that having mentors from within the minority community has been vital to helping students succeed. When they see successful men of color, they see beyond where they are. They see that success is on the horizon."

Resources include ongoing mentorship and networking through the Ignite Luncheon Series and Peer Academic Leader program.

The initiative has four key areas: 1) Professional development and

training for employees to increase learning, improve communication, and cultural sensitivity awareness; 2) Development of a pipeline of minority males who will choose Broward College for their post-secondary education; 3) Promoting career exploration, resilience, and success; and 4) Using mentorship to improve minority males' sense of academic and social integration at Broward College.

Walker attributes the MMI's success to the active engagement of the initiative’s steering committee, students and institutional support.

"We received some of our best ideas by having listening sessions with students where all we do is listen and let them speak," he shared. "I want to thank the college and its leadership for their commitment to this work. They went beyond just saying it in public forums, they also committed to MMI and funded it."

CAREER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

By Mary V. Davids

Five Networking Mistakes Can Leave a Negative First Impression

1.

Answering the Phone. I was midintroduction at a networking event recently and the lady answered her phone right in the middle of my introduction. To make matters worse, she walked away from me to continue her conversation. When I saw her again during the event, she didn’t even apologize or try to pick up where we left off. From that moment I had already decided I wouldn’t do business with her.

It its extremely rude and unprofessional to take phone calls during networking events, unless it’s an emergency. She lost a potential customer, left a bad taste in my mouth, and lost all potential clients from my connections, too.

2. Waiting to be Approached First.

Yes, I know it is super awkward to randomly go up to someone and start talking, but can I tell you a little secret?

That’s kind of what you’re there to do!

Being antisocial is actually considered weird at a networking event. What I usually do to break the ice is offer a compliment or ask a question to whomever I want to approach. It’s hard for people to take offense when given a compliment.

3. Forgetting Your Business Card.

If you know you’re going to a networking event, put your cards in your purse, car, or jacket pocket the night before. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Oh, I forgot them!”

Seriously? When you don’t have something to offer with your name on it, it sends a message that you’re either unprepared or uninterested in connecting. Being unprepared is

offensive to those who are truly interested in connecting. In the social media climate in which we live, it’s easy to fall into a technology bubble, but I encourage you to always carry something tangible that represents your brand to potential clients.

4. Dressing Down.I always keep a spare blazer in my car just in case I am in a hurry before getting to a networking event. Dressing overly casual doesn’t send a signal that you’re about business or ready to do business. A networking event is a social interview. You’ll need to show up looking professional because you’re in a professional environment.

You never know whom you’re going to meet, so dress accordingly to avoid feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed if you unexpectedly bump into that CEO or executive with whom you’ve been hoping to interview.

5. Not Preparing Follow-up Email in Advance. Your follow-up email is crucial to continuing the conversation.

Before you attend the event, prepare your follow-up email draft. By doing this, you won’t be so overwhelmed with trying to carve out time in your schedule to reach out to those important people you’ve connected with at the event. A trick I use when networking is to write myself a note on their business card to remind me of our conversation. This way, I can include something specific about our meeting in my email. It makes it more personal and easier for them to remember me.

Mary V. Davids, an executive career and leadership development coach, is owner of D&M Consulting Services, LLC. For career tips and advice visitwww.marydavids.com, on Facebook/CoachMaryD, or email info@marydavids.com.

MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Miami Positions Itself Again to be No. 1 in Startups, Entrepreneurship

By Dr. Tracy Timberlake

The Miami-Fort Lauderdale Metropolitan area was named No. 1 for new venture activity in the 2017 Kauffman Index of Startup Activity: Metropolitan Area and City Trends. “We saw a big increase in the Miami metro area of people who are trying their hands at entrepreneurship full time,” said Arnobio Morelix, senior research analyst at the Kauffman Foundation.

Interestingly, the pull may be cultural more than anything. The report indicated that immigrants now make up the largest percentage of demographics when it comes to starting new businesses and has been progressively increasing for more than a decade. But this should not be a surprise to those who have studied the correlation between entrepreneurship and

immigrants.

Studies show that they are much more likely to venture into the startup world than a natural born American. An estimated 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were either founded by immigrants or their children. Arianna Huffington, Sergey Brin, and Elon Musk all share this common characteristic.

According to the Institute of Labor Economics, there are many factors that can contribute to this. Discrimination within the labor market, or the fact that they live in traditionally underserved communities may influence in their decision to start a business that serves a local need.

In this case, it makes sense that Miami would be such a large hub for startups. Twenty percent of Florida residents are immigrants as reported by the American Immigration Council. This statistic can significantly contribute to the rise of entrepreneurial display in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.

In addition, Morelix said,

“Immigrants are twice as likely as native-born to start new businesses and this is good news for new business activity and the economy.”

The great news is education is increasing in this area as well. We are finding that traditional educational institutions implement initiatives to support this growing phenomenon.

For example, the University of Miami has chosen to fortify its entrepreneurship curriculum in favor of offering more support to student ventures. One of its highlights is to host an annual Business Plan Competition that offers up to $50,000 in prizes.

Florida International University has also explored the increase interest in entrepreneurship with the launch of a university initiative containing three entrepreneurial incubators: the flagship StartUp Innovation, StartUp Food, and StartUp West Kendall.

Non-traditional, para-educational programs are also springing up in the city. These offer similar incubator type

containers. From WIN Lab, which focuses on women entrepreneurs, to Venture Hive, a virtual entrepreneurship accelerator, to the Flourish Media Conference, which annually offers up to $15 million in investment capital to new businesses, opportunities for support exist.

Whether the choice of support comes from traditional educational methods or otherwise, its undeniable that the availability of resources is not lacking.

With all of this support available, and the attractive nature of entrepreneurial endeavors, will this trend continue to grow in South Florida? We will see.

Regardless, it’s likely that new venture start-ups will be a part our city’s cultural DNA for quite some time to come.

Dr. Tracy Timberlake is an award-winning digital marketing strategist and YouTube vlogger. She works with entrepreneurs and small businesses to increase their presence and profit using the power of social media. Email: tracy@tracytimberlakeonline.com; Instagram: @tracytimberlake; Facebook: Dr. Tracy Timberlake

BROWARD BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Closing Education and Wealth Gaps Helps Leave Legacy for Future Generations

By Shaheewa Jarrett Gelin

It is important that we recognize and praise our educators because caring and concerned teachers have been instrumental in helping many African Americans break the cycle of poverty.

In fact, we have been achieving major milestones in the last few years. In Broward County, approximately 70.6 percent of Black students graduate from high school and it is no secret that we are attaining college and professional degrees at a higher rate. So, there is no doubt that African Americans have made significant progress in closing the education gap, although there is always

room for improvement.

However, the wealth gap is a persistent problem. Although our income growth has outpaced whites at every household level above $60,000 and the largest increase occurred in households earning more than $200,000 (the increase was 134 percent as compared to 74 percent for the overall population), we have been unable to close the wealth gap.

The median white family is worth nearly 10 times more than median black family. We have to take action to close the wealth gap in order to leave a legacy for future generations.

Starting and growing businesses in the black community is a key factor in addressing the wealth gap and it is an important area of focus for the Broward County Black Chamber of Commerce.

After the federal government, black businesses are the largest employers of

African-Americans in the United States.

According to the latest projection, black consumers will spend $1.5 trillion by 2021. If African Americans spent just 10 percent more with black-owned businesses, it would create 1 million jobs in our communities.

To be fair, the wealth gap does not rest on our shoulders. It is well established that discriminatory practices have left Black Americans with lower wages and very little financing for our companies from traditional banks.

Disparities in spending by state, county, and municipal governments have left our businesses struggling and depressed our levels of entrepreneurship. Because of the low wages and lack of funding, it makes it more difficult for us to start a business, save, invest, purchase real estate, and acquire other assets to build wealth.

In response to such factors, our

Chamber will focus on promoting businesses in our community to increase the circulation of our dollar so that we can expand our businesses and advocate for politics that result in our businesses getting a fair percentage of the contracts in the public and private sectors. We will also create our own program and partner with others, as we already have, to provide access to capital for start-ups since we have an underrepresentation of black entrepreneurs.

Just as we worked diligently together in our community and with government to tackle the education gap, we must also work together to close the wealth gap for the sake of our future generations.

Shaheewa Jarrett Gelin, Esq. is founder of the Broward County Black Chamber of Commerce.

Learn more at www.BrowardCountyBlackChamberOfCommerce.com and info@BrowardCountyBlackChamberofCommerce.com.

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MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

MEDIATION/ARBITRATION

By Stanley Zamor

Pre-Suit Mediations Can Save Business Relationships

“Moving beyond a business dispute allows for growth and clearer defined business relationships.” I received a call from a gentleman named Mario who was highly upset. He said he is a subcontractor on several jobs for a well-known local Miami General Contractor, which he claimed owed him and his crew more than two months of wages.

Mario said that his lawyer advised him that he probably could not afford going to trial so he should seek an alternative before filing suit. Mario further stated that he was on three current jobs with the promise of three newer projects scheduled to start within the next 18 months with the same GC. Filing a lawsuit would ruin the future work and he may not see what is owed to

him for months or years.

After speaking with Mario and having a subsequent discussion with his lawyer, I reached out to the contractor’s counsel and we scheduled a pre-suit mediation weeks later.

The mediation was difficult. The parties could not be civil as there was a lot of “baggage” between them. Even their lawyers began bickering about varying points of law and became eager to go to court.

Eventually both parties acknowledged there was a greater benefit to working out the issues and continuing to work together. Through the pre-suit mediation process the parties were able to create a clearer contract with a more defined payment structure. In this scenario the pre-suit mediation created value in opposing perspectives and strengthened the relationship by revealing shared goals for future projects.

This saved the business relationship.

Truth in the Obvious Often within certain business

landscapes the industry is small and ultimately everyone deals with each other. As time and disputes arise, the reputations, rumors, and gossip of vendors, buyers, etc. are learned and shared. A skilled mediator can often assist with identifying what went wrong in the relationship and if the parties desire provide options for how to make the relationship better.

Pursuant to the Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators, Rule 10.220 a mediator’s role is “… to reduce obstacles to communication, assist in the identification of issues, and exploration of alternatives….”

The barriers to settlements often are with helping others communicate better.

So as parties participate in pre-suit mediation, a variety of options are presented, perspectives are explored and considered, and a transparency of issues is gained.

Benefits of pre-suit mediation Pre-suit mediations are confidential negotiation conferences facilitated by a

skilled mediator (impartial neutral) before a lawsuit is filed. Pre-suit mediation: • Saves time and attorneys’ fees • Provides early evaluation of the issues and non-threatening resolution options • Allows parties to present their perspective before the frustration(s) of litigation • Allows for the transparency of issues • Can save the business relationship Stanley Zamor is a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit/family/county mediator, primary trainer, and qualified arbitrator.Zamor serves on several federal and state mediation/ arbitration rosters and has a private mediation and ADR consulting company. He regularly lectures about a variety of topics from ethics, cross-cultural issues, diversity, bullying, and family/business relationships. szamor@effectivemediationconsultants.com www. effectivemediationconsultants.com www.LinkedIn.com/in/stanleyzamoradr (954) 261-8600

SPECIAL TO LEGACY

Hospice Needs Educators to Help Communities Understand Its Special Services

By Shirley Thimothee-Paul

I have been an registered nurse for 20 years and have worked with VITAS® Healthcare, the nation’s leading hospice care provider, for almost five years. I know from observation that hospice has much to offer patients and families.

I’ve seen someone struggle to hold down a job and care for a sick relative, then choose hospice, and suddenly find relief through help from a hospice team: a doctor, nurse, social worker, hospice aide, chaplain, volunteer and more.

I see someone’s final months and weeks made more comfortable by hospice services that alleviate their physical pain and go a long way toward easing their

mental pain. Hospice takes care of family pain too.

Increased Access to Hospice It would be great if more black patients and families had access to hospice. That is something VITAS and I have been working on. There are so many hospice misconceptions that people in our community are reluctant to use hospice services.

This is where being an educator comes in – specifically a VITAS community liaison.

VITAS has identified a lot of underserved communities, matching community liaisons to the area’s demographics. Here in South Florida, community liaisons serve Black, Haitian, Hispanic, Afro-Caribbean and veteran communities. These are people with strong ties to another culture where older generations tend to question any new ideas about death and dying.

I teach that hospice is about living well to the very end. Hospice addresses pain – if you are being treated by a specialist and they can’t make you better, what’s the point of having to deal with unbearable pain, too? Some hospice patients rally, because they’re not as exhausted as when they were in pain and dealing with labs and diagnostic tests.

Hospice is Free I teach communities that hospice is free for anyone on Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance.

As the nation’s leading hospice company, VITAS has the resources to provide complex care to patients with cancer, heart disease, COPD, etc. VITAS has invested in technology. There is an app to help doctors identify hospiceeligible patients right from their phones.

We can provide extras such as music therapy, Paw Pal® visits, volunteers as well as Memory Bears and bereavement

support for family members. We say we improve the quality of life at the end of life, and we do.

It Takes Education Misinformation about hospice is why I am out in the community, teaching at different Broward venues like assisted living facilities, churches, not-for-profit organizations and hospitals. I also teach end-of-life care at Broward universities and colleges.

Sometimes hospice seems too good to be true. That’s why it takes a team of educators to explain it.

For more information about hospice services or VITAS Healthcare, call 866.759.6695, or visit VITAS.com.

Shirley Thimothee-Paul is a VITAS community liaison serving the South Florida region.

MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL

VITAS Invests in Education Hospice isn’t difficult. It’s just different. That’s why we have educators.

VITAS educates every step of the way.

• We educate patients and their families about hospice, what to expect and how to care for someone you love.

• We educate the community about what hospice is, where it happens, who pays for it and when to consider it.

• We educate referral sources—physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, facility administrators— about pain management, psychosocial support, how to have the hospice conversation, how to identify a hospice-eligible patient.

VITAS invests in reference material, in teaching moments, in CEs and CMEs. Our goal is to get you to think about death and dying in different ways.

SINCE 1980

800.723.3233 VITAS.com

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MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

PALM BEACH URBAN LEAGUE

Urban League Program Working to Meet Demand for STEM Professionals

By Patrick J. Franklin

The data is clear and irrefutable.

Underrepresented minorities currently make up 30 percent of our nation’s population (a number projected to reach more than 40 percent by 2050), but in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics field, they are poorly represented with only 12.5 percent earning STEM degrees in 2011.

The demand for qualified STEM professionals is high, but the supply is low. Therefore, it is critical that more people from marginalized communities pursue careers in these fields, but that is easier said than done.

Underrepresented minorities traditionally complete high school at lower rates than their peers and tend to score lower on standardized tests, creating real barriers to college admission.

For those who gain college admission and major in undergraduate STEM studies, retention-to-graduation rates are comparatively low as well. As a result, STEM employers are faced with a growing shortage of skilled STEM candidates and the STEM workforce does not reflect the diversity of America.

The Urban League of Palm Beach County has an active Project Ready STEM program that prepares middle through high school students for college, work, and life with an emphasis on STEM learning and career readiness.

Funding was secured to ensure that our kids, who attend underperforming schools in high poverty communities,

receive the best education. The target population for Project Ready STEM is low-income, minority, urban or rural youth enrolled in Title I schools in West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, and the Glades.

Our program is currently working with 50 rising freshmen through their junior year in high school.

Project Ready STEM is designed to train a qualified workforce of color to meet the growing needs of the STEM sector labor market. This is especially important for Palm Beach County as the tech corridor continues to grow in Boca Raton and biotech companies at the north end of our county continue to flourish.

In order to prepare a diverse population of future workers, we aim to ignite an interest in STEM careers through experiential-learning and career

exploration. Project Ready STEM helps us achieve this goal, and goes a step further by preparing participants for success in post-secondary education.

By providing ongoing discussions and workshops, more students can develop at grade level with the skills they need to be successful and graduate, and pursue a STEM education in college.

We will continue to build the next generation of young scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians of color who can change the world and change the numbers of underrepresented minorities thriving in STEM. Patrick J. Franklin is president and CEO of the Urban League of Palm Beach County: 1700 N. Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407; Office: 561-833-1461 - WWW.ULPBC.ORG

Fort Lauderdale: National Model for Developing Sustainable Communities

By Ann Marie Sorrell

HACFL's Step-Up Apprenticeship Initiative participants at the FLHS New River Inn The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale has been a leader in providing affordable housing to thousands of low-income residents in Broward County since 1938. HACFL offers a holistic approach to creating sustainable communities through a variety of programs that promote self-sufficiency and economic opportunity for residents, including the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program and the Step-Up Apprenticeship Initiative to name a few.

More recently, HACFL completed Northwest Gardens – Florida’s first and

the nation’s second sustainable, fully built-out, Gold Level Certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Neighborhood Development.

The neighborhood had suffered from overwhelming historical economic, racial, and health inequities and disparities over the past several decades.

However, since the development of Northwest Gardens, a formerly crime and blight-ridden area of northwest Fort Lauderdale has been transformed into a connected and walkable community of affordable apartments. This community provides more than a beautiful and safe place for residents to live. It is a unified community connected in a way that inspires positivity and growth for all.

What was once a food desert, now features six gardens with more than 2,000 plants of different kinds throughout the area. These plants serve as a free, green market for all residents.

HACFL has partnered with Refresh Live – a food education and lifestyle company dedicated to refreshing people’s relationship, knowledge, and experience with healthier food. They work to

educate residents about the foods grown in the garden and how to turn them into nutritious meals for their families.

HACFL, Refresh Live, and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society launched the Fort Lauderdale Culinary Experience at New River Inn on May 1, which featured Chef Chad Cherry conducting an after-hour live culinary demo using local produce from the Northwest Gardens Community.

HACFL offers programs such as the Step-UP Apprenticeship Initiative that improves residents’ education and employment skills.

The Step-Up Apprenticeship Initiative is a state certified program that provides at-risk men and women a unique opportunity to create a portfolio of education, training, and employment skills to increase their potential for permanent employment and economic self-sufficiency.

During the program, participants obtain their GED while being trained in construction skills with a specialty in housing rehabilitation and building maintenance. The program has succeeded

in helping hundreds of Fort Lauderdale neighbors find pathways out of poverty while improving the public realm in the city.

In April 2018, the FLHS partnered with the HACFL’s Step-Up Apprenticeship Program to restore the New River Inn hotel. This partnership allows apprentices to enhance their construction skills on historical restoration.

HACFL has and will continue to develop communities that are modern and safe; protect and enhance the existing natural environment; and improve quality of life through employment, entrepreneurial, and cultural opportunities, all of which promotes growth and prosperity.

HACFL received the 2018 National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials Award of Merit in Housing and Community Development for the Northwest Route to Health Program on July 27 in San Francisco, Calif.

To learn more about the HACFL, visit www.hacfl.com.

MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

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PINNACLE

A Dream Becomes Reality for FMU’s New Interim President Dr. Jaffus Hardrick Plans to Move the Miami Gardens HBCU Forward

By Angeline J. Taylor Ever since high school, Dr. Jaffus Hardrick said he recalls dreaming about this day. Now, decades later, Florida Memorial University’s (FMU) Board of Trustees has tapped the former Florida International University (FIU) administrator to serve as its interim president. Hardrick considers himself a transformational leader who vows to turn FMU around, following a revolving door of two presidents and three acting presidents within seven years.

Hardrick said he wants to bring stability to South Florida’s only HBCU.

“Everything I do is about purpose and passion,” Hardrick said just prior to taking the helm. “For me, HBCUs still play a significant role in our nation.

That’s my goal – to make FMU the premier HBCU in our nation.”

Hardrick’s first official day at FMU was July 16. The weeks leading up to his start date have been hectic, according to Opal Comfort, FMU’s communication and marketing director. She said Hardrick’s days were spent managing his remaining responsibilities at FIU’s main campus in west Miami-Dade, where he served as vice provost for Student Access and Success and vice president of Human Resources for the past 10 years. Meanwhile, his evenings were spent transitioning into his new position at the Miami Gardens campus.

“During his time as vice president, the Division of Human Resources has helped enhance our benefits and culture to the point that FIU has been named second best employer in Florida by Forbes Magazine and one of the Best Colleges to Work for by the Chronicle of Higher Education – repeatedly,” said FIU President Mark Rosenberg.

When Rosenberg

was asked to describe Hardrick in three words, he said: “determined, passionate and caring.” He added that during Hardrick’s tenure at FIU, he shaped the organizational culture there by starting a wellness program, FIU’s Leadership Education Advancement Program, and the FIU Retiree Association.

Under the auspices of student success, Hardrick created the Golden Scholars Bridge Program, an alternative admissions program for underrepresented students. He also expanded partnerships with the Miami-Dade County School District by connecting the community, schools, students, and parents to address students’ educational and social needs.

“Many have admired him for being a visionary leader at FIU,” said Marybeth Gasman, director of the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions. “Given his experiences in human resources, student services, and community relations I think he will bring a strong skill set around relationships and service.”

EVERYTHING I DO IS ABOUT PURPOSE AND PASSION. FOR ME, HBCUS STILL PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN OUR NATION. THAT’S MY GOAL – TO MAKE FMU THE PREMIER HBCU IN OUR NATION. Gasman’s said Hardrick, “understands and supports the mission of FMU,” which is to instill students with the values of leadership, character, and service in order to enhance their lives and

the lives of others on the campus, in the community, and throughout the world through transformational liberal arts education.

“Everything in my career prepared me and led me where I am today,” Hardrick said. “Everything [we will do] is about moving forward and keeping our students excited.”

Hardrick said he knows he must first take, “incremental steps … to move our university forward.” Those steps will be taken as he works to implement five strategic objectives to ensure an environment of excellence: • Student success (“Every student is expected to excel,” he said.)

• Academic quality • Financial solvency (Hardrick wants to build a “sustainable” financial base and plans to diversify the FMU’s portfolio.)

• Relationship development • Operational excellence “We want to make sure our students, when they walk across that stage to graduate, are prepared to compete globally,” Hardrick said.

Moving forward, Gasman said FMU needs to “access the situation, focus on strengths and get to work immediately.

FMU is very important and serves an important population of students,” she added. “FMU has a long history of contributing to the community. The key is making sure that everyone knows about the contributions and support of students – all too often HBCUs keep their success under wraps. In addition, FMU really serves a distinct population in southern Florida.”

Hardrick agrees. FMU is one of 105 HBCUs in the country. He said that uniqueness coupled with the institution’s other attributes attracted him to the top spot.

“It’s been a hidden gem,” said Hardrick, expressing his passion about the university. “[I want to] elevate the university locally, nationally, and internationally. If we don’t make ourselves relevant, we will wake up one day and become irrelevant and extinct.”

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MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

ABOUT TOWN

The 32nd Annual Conference of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc., Diplomat Beach Resort, Hollywood, FL, June 13-17.

Kim Mcray, Travis Warren, Tara Pasteur

Mayor Oliver Gilbert, 100 Black Men National Chairman Tommy Dortch

Basil A. Binns II, Wayne Barclay

100 Black Men of South Florida mentees Ruben Williams, Jordan Sealy, Maurice Goosby

Florida Memorial University Collegiate 100 Member Paris Roper receives Collegiate Chapter of the Year

100 Black Men National Vice Chairman Albert Dotson

100 Black Men of South Florida President Stephen Hunter Johnson

South Florida Chapter President Stephen Hunter Johnson and Greater Fort Lauderdale President Dennis Wright

The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Foundation and the Miami Dolphins hosted the annual Academic Signing Ceremony, May 18, Hard Rock Stadium, as 58 Wilson Scholars signed scholarships to the colleges and universities of their choice.

Eric Knowles

Paul Wilson Jr.

2019 Prospective Wilson Scholars

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson

Miami-Dade School Board member Dr. Steve Gallon III, keynote speaker

Miami Dolphins players and alumni with Role Model Dr. Marcus Bright (right)

5000 Role Models students sign to Florida State University

Wilson Scholars wearing Dream Big t-shirts donated by Sean John

MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

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LEGACY BRIEFS Christie Grays' I Am CHIC Covers Wardrobe and Lifestyle South Florida trendsetter Christie Grays recently transitioned from an executive role at Baptist Health and is now focusing her attention on her business I Am CHIC (which stands for Christie Has It Covered). Her clientele includes businesswomen and TV news personalities. Clients can depend on her services to craft the right look and send the right message. Visit IAmCHIC.net for more information.

Palm Beach Boys & Girls Club Appoints Glades-Area Advisory Board Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County established its first advisory board specifically charged to guide the direction of clubs located in the Glades area. The region includes six elementary school sites and one stand-alone teen center. The eight-member board is led by Chairman Spencer Davis and Vice Chairman Dr. LaTanya L. McNeal.

Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter Appoints Grasford Smith President-Elect Palm Beach-based attorney

Grasford W. Smith was recently appointed president-elect of the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association. Smith, a litigation shareholder at the law firm of Jones Foster Johnston & Stubbs, P.A., was inducted for a one-year term at the Legacy Gala during the Florida Bar Convention in Orlando. VHFCNBA began in the 1950s and has been the catalyst for the establishment of local, affiliate Black bar associations throughout Florida. It is a state affiliate chapter of the National Bar Association and consists of a network of nearly 1,000 attorneys statewide.

Miami Urban League unveils final pillar of ‘Development Revolution’ with the Villages The Urban League of Greater Miami recently cut the ribbon on its We Rise Educational Village, located at 860 N.W. 69th Street in Miami. The $40 million, state-of-the-art, gated community adds 150 affordable housing units into the heart of Liberty City.

Amenities include a security gate, private clubhouse, pool, veranda, exercise complex, Wi-Fi, and more. The grand opening ceremony also highlighted a partnership with over 30 organizations charged to transform lives and restore the value of education in Liberty City.

SPECIAL TO LEGACY

Preparing South Florida’s Businesses and Homes for the 2018 Storm Season

By Richard Gibbs Tropical weather in Florida is a way of life.

The Sunshine State leads the nation in landfalling hurricanes with nearly 120. Properly preparing for hurricane season now can save you and your employees unwanted stress when a storm is imminent. The key is having a plan in place when that time comes. Here are some tips from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to help get you going as we head into the heart of storm season.

Plan ahead: • Ensure your employees’ contact information is up to date.

• Have a plan in place to communicate after the storm passes, e.g. set up a telephone number with a message featuring updates to inform employees of the status of company operations.

• Establish a safe area away from exterior glass windows and doors if you plan to shelter at your business.

• Identify what you need to secure your building, important equipment and who will help; outline specific tasks and conduct a training session.

• Bookmark FPL.com/outage and save 1-800-4OUTAGE to your cell phone to report and check the status of your restoration.

• Download FPL’s Mobile App in the App Store or Google Play, or text the word "App" to MyFPL (69375).

Generator safety • Read and follow all the manufacturer’s guidelines when using a generator to avoid dangerous shortcuts and ensure safe operation.

• DO NOT directly connect your generator to your business’s breaker or fuse box. Power from a generator connected to a business’s wiring will "back feed" into utility lines – which can severely injure or kill a neighbor or utility crew working to restore power.

• DO NOT run generators inside your business or garage.

• Keep generators away from all open windows to prevent the fumes from entering your business.

• Use a battery-operated carbon monoxide alarm to monitor possible

dangerous gas levels.

• Turn off all connected appliances before starting your generator.

• Turn connected appliances on one at a time, never exceeding the generator’s rated wattage.

• DO NOT touch a generator if you are wet, standing in water or on damp ground.

• NEVER refuel a hot generator or one that is running – hot engine parts or exhaust can ignite gasoline.

• Have plenty of gas safely stored in gas containers to operate your generator.

Before a storm: • Pay attention to instructions from public officials and the media.

• Identify outdoor equipment, materials and structures that could become airborne and move them to a safe location.

• Park vehicles in safe, protected areas such as a covered garage.

• Charge your cell phone and keep it ready by obtaining portable chargers.

• Make multiple back-ups of computer files and data and store records off premises.

• Run a special voice message informing employees and customers on

the status of company operations.

• Close offices with sufficient time to allow employees to secure their own homes, and inform clients that you’re closing early and when you plan to reopen.

After a storm: • Make your safety and the safety of your employees a priority.

• DO NOT travel, or ask employees to travel, until it is safe to do so.

• Watch for downed power lines.

Call 911 or FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE to report fallen, dangerous power lines.

Always assume that every power line is energized.

• Take inventory to determine and record losses – based off of photos and recordings you took for insurance purposes.

Always keep safety top of mind and see more valuable storm tips at FPL.com/storm.

Richard Gibbs, senior communication specialist with Florida Power & Light Company, is a member of FPL’s storm media team.

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AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL

MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

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Paid by Andrew Gillum, Democrat, for Governor.