Legacy Miami's Most Influential & Powerful Black Professionals 2020

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020

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Miami

Surviving

STATE AGENCY

4

HEALTH 12

First African-American FDLE Special Agent In Charge makes life-saving decisions for South Florida during crisis Black-owned telemedical company gains momentum amid global pandemic

BUSINESS

8

ECONOMY 22

Celebrity chef and his business partner count the days for grand opening of multi-million dollar Historic Overtown restaurant GMCVB serves as lifeline for Miami-area hotels in the wake of COVID-19

Introducing Miami’s Most Influential & Powerful Black Professionals of 2020

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In these unprecedented times, we need strong local leaders.

Even more than leaders, we need great team builders… …because we won’t make it successfully through this global crisis unless we join forces.

Combining our unique talents and expertise, we will discover how to thrive in adversity, rather than merely survive.

I salute the leader and the team builder in each of us, and in this year’s recipients of the Legacy awards… …from health care experts to first responders …from agriculture specialists to small business entrepreneurs …from teachers to librarians, along with everyone in between.

In times of great hardship, I am especially proud to be a member of such an outstanding, diverse community.

The synergies we create together ensure a brighter tomorrow for us all.

Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez #MiamiDadeThrives #MiamiDadeStrong

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EDITOR’S NOTE

4 EXECUTIVE SUITE

FDLE Special Agent Views ‘Powerful’ Position as Opportunity to Make Positive Impact on South Florida

By Michelle Solomon 6

CHAIRWOMAN’S REPORT

By Audrey M. Edmonson

MAYOR’S REPORT

By Oliver Gilbert

8 ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Red Rooster Restaurant Connects with Overtown Community; Awaits Grand Opening

By Janiah Adams

10 CAREER LEADERSHIP &

DEVELOPMENT

By Mary Davids

MILLENNIAL

By David Cannady 12 ENTREPRENEUR

Telemedicine Company

Provides Safer Alternative to Doctor’s Visit During Pandemic

By Michelle Solomon

Miami-Dade County, including two of my relatives in Miami. It has claimed the lives of at least 200 people countywide.

Our prayers are with all of the families who’ve experienced a heartbreaking loss.

This unprecedented chapter of 2020 has forced the economy into a medicallyinduced coma. Will businesses, small and large, be able to pull through? Will laidoff workers make a full recovery sooner than later?

Many of our honorees featured in the centerfold (pages 14-15) are doing This issue of Legacy magazine honors their part to make a difference as we Miami’s Most Influential and Powerful face this pandemic head on. Take Derek Black Professionals of 2020. However, there are countless others who are just as Fleming, co-owner of the Red Rooster deserving of gracing these pages for their restaurant in Historic Overtown. For dedication, professionalism, and selfless several weeks, he has offered free lunch and a cool beverage to laid-off restaurant bravery. I’m talking about the essential workers, Uber drivers, and others who’ve workers serving on the frontlines of found themselves in a financial pinch COVID-19 — healthcare workers, first due to COVID-19. In fact, one of the responders, grocery store clerks, postal employees, delivery drivers, and so many hundreds of people I met standing in line was a manager whose Little Havana more who are putting their lives at risk restaurant was forced to temporarily shut for us every day. down. When I asked him how he was

To the essential workers, this issue maintaining, he admitted his days were of Legacy is dedicated to you. lonely. However, he was grateful for the

As of this writing, Coronavirus conversation and the meal outside of the has infected more than 9,000 people in

Red Rooster.

COVID-19 has affected every move we make. It has changed the way we view the world. As a result, we need each other more than ever now. That’s why Legacy continues to do its part to keep you connected and informed during this difficult time. Since the start of the COVID-19 shutdown and the urging of social distancing by experts, we’ve started producing a weekly digital newsletter dedicated to providing you with helpful information and resources.

To subscribe to our weekly newsletter as well as Legacy’s digital issues, send us your email address at info@ miamediagrp.com.

I hope you and those around you continue to stay safe and healthy while maintaining a positive outlook as we face COVID-19 together. Every challenge in life presents an opportunity for us to thrive. I’m confident we’ll emerge from this pandemic both stronger and more unified than ever.

Russell Motley Legacy Editor-in-Chief rm@miamediagrp.com n

TECHNOLOGY

By Kevin V. Michael 14-15 INTRODUCING MIAMI’S

MOST INFLUENTIAL AND POWERFUL BLACK PROFESSIONALS OF 2020

16 POLITICS

By Christopher Norwood 18 MEDIATION/ARBITRATION

By Stanley Zamor 20 BUSINESS REPORT

By Beatrice Louissaint 22 GMCVB Serves as Lifeline for

Hotels Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

By Josie Gulliksen

24 PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP Black Professionals Network Maintains Mission through Social Media

By Monique Howard

SOCIAL MEDIA

By Dr. Tracy Timberlake 26

LEGACY BRIEFS

MEDIA GROUP LLC Subscribe to and view the digital version of Legacy Magazine and view additional articles at http://bitly.com/legacymagazines Facebook: Facebook.com/TheMIAMagazine • Twitter and Instagram: @TheMIAMagazine

Russell Motley

#BeInformed #BeInfluential #BlackHistoryMonth

Editor-in-Chief

Yanela G. McLeod Copy Editor

Shannel Escoffery

Dexter A. Bridgeman CEO & Founder

Vice President

Member of the Black Owned Media Alliance (BOMA)

Sabrina Moss-Solomon Designer

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS

“The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every one regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating 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.”

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EXECUTIVE SUITE

FDLE Special Agent Views ‘Powerful’ Position as Opportunity to Make Positive Impact on South Florida Troy Walker Plays Key Support Role Support Role During COVID-19 Pandemic community and belief in the process. Most importantly, I would like for people to know with a steadfast conviction that we are out there, listening to their concerns and issues and doing something about it. I have always been a huge advocate for the underdog, the voiceless, and victims.”

Walker has seen a lot in his more than three-decade career in law enforcement and in his more than 20 years with FDLE. The Miami Region’s reach is wide, covering Palm Beach County through Broward and Miami-Dade counties, and to Monroe

BY MICHELLE SOLOMON

Although Troy Walker, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Special Agent in Charge of FDLE’s Miami Regional Operations Center, sits in one of the most powerful positions in South Florida law enforcement, his involvement in law enforcement happened quite by accident.

“After getting my master’s degree, I figured I would go out into the workforce,” said Walker, who received a bachelor of arts in criminal justice with a minor in psychology and a master’s degree in public administration from Florida A&M University.

FDLE’s special agents are sworn officers with statewide authority to investigate and enforce Florida’s criminal laws.

Walker fast-tracked his education at FAMU, finishing both his undergraduate degree and master’s in only five years.

“I always had an interest in government and public policy,” said Walker, one of Legacy magazine’s 2020 Most Influential and Powerful Black Professionals. “Those were my ultimate goals. I moved to Atlanta and worked there for a while in the private sector, but after three years and in the middle of a recession, I got a pink slip, laid off.”

Walker returned to West Palm Beach, where he grew up. He was invited on a “ride along” with a patrolman who worked for the Lake Worth Police Department, just south of West Palm Beach.

“I was hooked immediately,” he said.

“I enjoyed going from police call to police call. Every single call we responded to was different and going to the aid of a person in need, well, it struck something in me.”

Soon after that ride along, he joined the Lake Worth Police Department as a road patrolman. His career ascended as quickly as his college career. “In a year and a half, I was moved to the special investigations unit as a detective and worked alongside the Drug Enforcement Agency and other law enforcement organizations.”

He also participated in DEA Task Force operations and was a member of the SWAT Team. He became an investigator for the Bureau of Insurance Fraud in the Miami Field Division. Walker said he realized, as he moved up the ranks, that on each rung of the ladder, he was driven to a cause bigger

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent In Charge Miami Region Troy Walker speaks at a Miami Children’s Initiative event in Liberty City.

than himself.

“It wasn’t really about where I could go next, but where I could make the greatest impact. Ultimately, I ended up with FDLE,” said Walker, who now lives in Miramar. He said he liked that FDLE’s four pillars were service, integrity, respect, and quality.

“I began in Tampa with FDLE (in 1997) and I started moving up the ranks and made it to the assistant special agent in charge.” He said when he was offered the job of special agent in charge of FDLE’s Miami Region, it was the right fit because it was a place where he could help make the greatest impact.

FDLE’s Miami Regional Operations Center’s primary criminal investigations involve cases related to economic crime, cyber-high-tech crime, violent crime and major drug crime. It is also charged with investigations concerning domestic security, intelligence and public integrity, which includes officer-involved shootings.

“Public integrity, that is personally the focus area that I have to say I enjoy working on,” he explained. “Basically, when a person is put in a position of public trust, there is an expectation from the citizens for them to do their job and conduct themselves in an above-board and ethical manner.

When a public official violates the trust of its citizens, FDLE is quick to initiate an investigative inquiry into any complaint related to public corruption. In short, this is a way to help build confidence in the

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent In Charge-Miami Region Troy Walker participating in the Real Men Read campaign with Broward Schools.

County.

Walker says he remembers how so much changed after the terror attacks on the United States on 9/11. “Everything changed after 9/11 and the way law enforcement does business has never been the same. Now, the Coronavirus pandemic is going to be another one of those changes,” Walker said. “FDLE is in a coordinating role and working closely with the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee. We assess and determine if certain resources for various missions or requests are necessary. Walker also has staff that can be deployed if needed to any affected area, whether it be humanitarian efforts or in an enforcement capacity.”

Walker says, as in any crisis, the COVID-19 crisis is an opportunity to learn and improve process, response and policy.

“I think as we gain greater

understanding and have a handle on this pandemic, as a country we will be more vigilant, aware and better prepared as citizens and organizations,” Walker added.

Walker is the proud father of two children, Kyle, 23, who is working in Charlotte, NC for Amazon, and his daughter, Kelsey, who is preparing for college and plans to become a cardiologist.

“My mother-in-law passed away from heart-related illnesses, and that has always been a force behind my daughter’s initiatives,” he shared. Walker’s wife, Regina, is a Broward County School District educator.

His parents, Norman and Deloris, live in West Palm Beach. Both are retired principals from the Palm Beach County School District. “My parents and my grandparents, who I looked up to, were my foundation.”

Becoming the first African-American special agent in charge of FDLE in 2014 gives Walker great pride, but he says he also wants to always remain humble.

“As being a trailblazer, I hope that I have opened a pathway for others to follow,” Walker said. “What’s important to me is to be a man of integrity and to be able to make an impact, affect change and have a diverse staff. Diversity provides us with an opportunity to have multiple viewpoints, different life experiences and cultural backgrounds that only strengthens us.”

Walker said he is proud to be a role model to his younger brother, Travis, who is a major at the Riviera Beach Police Department. “He is also an alumnus of Florida A&M, University, who received an undergraduate and master’s degree within five years and he, too, has a very promising career ahead of him.”

Within his busy work schedule, Walker makes time for one of his favorite activities, Mixed Martial Arts/Muay Thai. He trains and often spars three to four nights a week at American Top Team. When he was 15, he participated in his first amateur fight.

“My opponent was a grown man, 25 or 26 years old,” he recalled. “It was a blast, and ultimately the decision was a ‘draw,’ but it certainly felt like a loss. You know, they say people learn from failures and loss as opposed to wins and successes.” n

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020

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305-244-4456 marlon@marlonhill.com @TeamMarlonHill @MarlonAHill @MarlonHill

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CHAIRWOMAN’S REPORT

Preparing Girls for STEM Careers Will Help Them Reach for the Stars

Miami-Dade County Commission Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson

BY AUDREY M. EDMONSON

This February, America marked the sad passing of Katherine Johnson, at age 101. Featured in the blockbuster movie Hidden Figures, she was one of three black female NASA mathematicians – along with Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan – whose contributions to America’s space program during the Space Race helped America beat the

Soviet Union to the moon.

Johnson, perhaps the best known of the three women depicted in the film, spent a career calculating flight trajectories for Project Mercury and other missions, including America’s first human spaceflight in 1961 with astronaut Alan Shepard and the celebrated Friendship 7 mission in 1962, which made John Glenn famous as the first American to orbit the Earth. Johnson’s calculations also helped sync Project Apollo’s Lunar Module with the lunarorbiting Command and Service Module.

She later worked on the Space Shuttle program and the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (renamed Landsat).

In recognition of her storied career, Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama in 2015.

For all of Johnson’s significant contributions to the success of the U.S. space program, perhaps her most important role was that of a civil rights pioneer, who helped dispel deeply ingrained stereotypes about black women

to become a respected and highly valued team member.

Before joining NASA, Johnson was already blazing a trail as the first black woman to attend graduate school at West Virginia University. Hired by NASA in 1953, she later joined the agency’s Space Task Group. Once there, she soon realized her first big challenge was to overcome the prejudices of her colleagues, who were initially dismissive and demeaning. Her steadfast tenacity and the consistently impressive quality of her work not only convinced them of her worth but also helped break down the remaining barriers of discrimination at NASA, including the abolition of bathroom segregation at the agency.

Johnson’s inspiring example highlights the importance of unlocking the doors of opportunity for women, especially minority women, in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

My colleagues and I have long recognized the value of narrowing the gender gap in STEM occupations to create a more diverse workplace and

pathway to high-paying, high-skilled jobs for young women and women of color.

We have pursued policies like collaborating with the county’s public, private and charter schools and postsecondary institutions to develop programs to educate girls about the important contributions of women in science and technology and to encourage them to pursue STEM careers. If we provide girls with the right tools and inspiration, we can help create the next Johnson, Jackson, or Vaughan.

Katherine Johnson overcame the deep-seated racial and gender biases of her times to help the United States become the first nation to land somebody on the moon. Let’s show this generation of girls, regardless of race or skin color, that they can aim even higher and reach the stars.

Audrey M. Edmonson is chairwoman of the Miami-Dade County Commission. n

MAYOR’S REPORT

Working Together is the Strength of our Community

Mayor Oliver Gilbert, City of Miami Gardens

BY OLIVER GILBERT

We are a community with a spirit and history of beating the odds. Our ability to overcome hardships is rooted in our sense of togetherness. We’ve known hard times as a country and as a

community. We’ve been through worse.

Looking back in history, we’ve been through wars, public health crises, poverty and have experienced issues that disproportionately affect us. Yet, we overcame those circumstances and we will overcome this one as well.

That spirit of triumph is rooted in our togetherness.

In the City of Miami Gardens, we are deeply committed to the safety and welfare of the entire community — residents, businesses, and employees.

We’ve modified how the City provides services to our community as we adjust to our new way of living to safeguard the health of everyone.

The City is adapting to these changing times and how life as we know it is evolving. We are now

offering virtual programming for people of all ages to engage in, such as mental and physical health, nutrition, and other social activities in a holistic manner.

While we are safer at home, we are not alone. We are in this together. Our efforts transcend focusing on any one single need. Instead, we are working to address the essential needs of our residents to function in their daily lives.

Fundamentally, it is about caring for each other’s overall wellbeing.

Times are tough, but during tough times is when our character shines through.

The City has advocated for expanded testing resources, reduced City activity to essential businesses, and partnered with different agencies and businesses to bring produce and freshly

cooked meals to our residents on a daily basis. But it’s not the City’s action alone that will get us through this.

Houses of faith have partnered with the Miami Dolphins to feed those in need. The Islamic Center of Greater Miami is feeding hundreds of neighbors that have fallen on hard times. This is the essence of community.

Everyone can demonstrate their own acts of kindness during these difficult times. It may be a kind word that offers comfort or an unseen deed that lightens someone’s load. That’s the character of this community.

As a community, we care about each other, and the fact that we care makes us strong. n

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Red Rooster Restaurant Connects with Overtown Community; Awaits Grand Opening

Fleming greets each person in line with a hello and a squirt of hand sanitizer. Most respond with a smile and words of gratitude.

“Right now, because of this Coronavirus, everything is shut down. No food, no nothing. It’s just hard,” said Christopher Robinson, 63, who lost his delivery job when business slowed down. “God bless these guys. I’m supposed to get food stamps but they haven’t arrived yet so

BY JANIAH ADAMS

For businessman Derek Fleming, not being able to open his multimillion dollar restaurant in Historic Overtown, as scheduled earlier this year, proved to be an emotional blow.

“It was incredibly disappointing,” he expressed following the COVID-19 shut down. “For me to have personally designed and built this space…there was a big emotional

“As we build our relationship with the community, this will be at the bedrock.”

- Derek Fleming Red Rooster co-owner

Red Rooster co-owner Derek Fleming gives hundreds of unemployed people a squirt of sanitizer before they receive a free meal prepared by his Overtown restaurant.

Volunteers at the Red Rooster pass out free lunch to an Overtown residents who have fallen on hard times due to COVID-19.

hit for me.”

The Red Rooster — a popular brand first established in Harlem, New York by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson — had major plans to launch a premier dining and entertainment experience in a neighborhood rich with AfricanAmerican history.

Located at 920 N.W. Second Ave., the building is a former pool hall owned by the late entrepreneur and promoter Clyde Killens during the ‘50s and ‘60s.

The Overtown location represents an historic snapshot of famous black entertainers who performed in the area, such as Sam Cooke, Dinah

Washington, and Aretha Franklin, to name a few.

Fleming says the hardest part of delaying his opening was breaking the news to his staff.

“What was even bigger was to have to furlough our 100-plus employees that we had brought on,” he said.

Instead of wallowing in disappointment, Fleming and his co-

“It is very important for us to be able to create something that’s fresh and new.”

- Marcus Samuelsson Red Rooster co-owner

workers decided to take a proactive approach.

“What we were able to do is take that emotion and passion for those employees, our community, and partner with World Central Kitchen and create a community kitchen that would take care of some of those

I have to survive until that time. I’m glad these guys are here for a meal to help me survive.”

The Harlem restaurant is known for its AfricanAmerican comfort food and historic vibe.

Samuelsson said he looks forward to bringing that cuisine and vibe to Overtown, while integrating it with Miami’s Caribbean flair.

“It is very important for us to be able to create something that’s fresh and new,” Samuelsson said. “[The menu] will have more [options] towards the islands, more Caribbean, more Latin, which really reflects Miami.”

Although their doors are not yet open, Fleming said Derek Fleming stands in front of his newly-build restaurant he believes their community located on 920 N.W. Second Ave. in Historic Overtown. outreach speaks to something bigger. employees,” Fleming said.

“As we build our relationship

Since March, the Red Rooster with the community, this will be at has provided free meals for hundreds the bedrock,” Fleming said. “It’s not of laid-off workers facing financial about saying what you’re going to difficulties, including the manager of a Little Havana restaurant, which had do and reflecting who you are, but showing who you are.” to shut down due to the pandemic. n

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CAREER LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT

5 Ways to Prepare for a Virtual Interview You don’t want a hiring manager to pay more attention to your background than your response to questions. Stay close to the mic so your responses can be heard.

BY MARY V. DAVIDS, MS-HRM

Now more than ever, companies are conducting virtual meetings to continue reaching organizational goals, including hiring top talent. Here are five ways you can nail your next virtual interview.

1. Eliminate distractions. Make sure you find a quiet place, free of distracting noises or inappropriate backgrounds.

MILLENNIAL

2. Look directly into the camera and smile. If you’re not used to being on a camera, you will find yourself naturally looking at your own face on the screen vs. looking directly into the camera as though you’re talking to the person on the other end. Imagine the camera lenses are the eyes of the interviewer. This will help you stay focused. Always make extra effort to smile during the interview.

Many hiring decisions are based on likability, whether hiring managers want to admit it or not. You can have everything wonderfully presented on your resume, but without making that personal connection, you’ve lost an opportunity. Before you push the start button, put on your smile.

3. Body Language & Confidence. Just as though you are in person, you want to

make sure you sit straight up, shoulders back, and appear that you are confident in your responses. Confidence is relayed through body language, especially during a video interview. Have a copy of your resume in-hand before you sign on. You can use it as a reference if you feel stuck on a question or you want to remind the hiring manager of your capabilities.

4. Arrive early. Check your connectivity to make sure you don’t have any network interruptions. Video call someone else to see how the connection is before your interview.

Give yourself enough time to set your background, position yourself, and make sure your lighting is good so they can see your expression and body language. Your ability to be techsavvy is being evaluated during this process, so arriving at the meeting at least five to seven minutes before the session will help you work through any technical issues.

5. Practice makes perfect! If you are nervous about being on video, try recording yourself over and over again to see how many times you say “um,” “because,” “well”….etc. Send it to a trusted friend and ask for feedback. You can’t predict the future, but you can prepare yourself for some hiccups on your special day. Don’t panic if there is an unexpected issue. Instead have a plan. Ask for a phone number to call in case there are any connection issues before or during the interview. This way, you’ll have an additional way to contact the hiring manager should the connection fail.

Mary V. Davids is an executive career and leadership development coach and owner of D&M Consulting Services, LLC. For more career tips and advice visit www.slaytheworkplace.com or follow @ MVDavids on Instagram and Twitter. n

Coronavirus Pandemic Provides Opportunity for Reform

BY DAVID CANNADY

Every year people around the world make resolutions about how the new year will be better than the last.

However, it’s hard for people to see how things will get better in 2020 due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Unfortunately, everyday folks have lost their jobs, may lose their homes, and global financial markets have dropped significantly.

Because of this global pandemic, on March 27, the United States government approved an unprecedented $2 trillion stimulus package, which most notably earmarked $377 billion for small businesses and issued an estimated $560 billion in relief to individuals. What’s so unprecedented about this package is that between $1,200-$2,400 will be sent directly to individual’s bank accounts. However, the real question is whether this stimulus will perpetuate an individual’s dependency on the government or spur generational change in politics and business. I believe it’s the latter.

No matter on which side of the political spectrum you identify, the $2 trillion stimulus package has never been done before. In 2008, amidst the great recession when Democrats controlled both houses of Congress and the presidency, the Obama Administration only gave direct financial relief to financial institutions, not individuals.

However, similar to 2008, we are

still struggling with the same issues, most notably, healthcare, education, and an inequitable criminal justice system.

Bernie Sanders’ presidential platform of government fully subsidizing healthcare and college education doesn’t seem as outlandish when thousands are being infected and millions may die due to underfunded hospitals, growing numbers of uninsured, increasing college debt and decreased economic opportunity.

However, there is no other institution that more significantly brings these issues to bear than our criminal justice system. Statistics show that the majority of inmates lack insurance, higher education, and economic opportunity. Our South Florida jails house more inmates than any other region in Florida. However, we fail to properly balance public health and public safety. As Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady pointed out in The Florida Bar News, the public health and safety of those who come

into our courthouse is a top concern. I’ll add that this includes officers, judges, employees, and inmates.

The cry from Democrats and Republicans alike for jail and sentencing reform must be addressed. This global pandemic has shined a light on our justice system’s lack of transparency, porous conditions, and outdated policies.

As of April 2020, two South Florida officers and one inmate have died from Coronavirus, four inmates have contracted Coronavirus, and more than 35 staff members of the Broward Sheriff Office have contracted the virus. This is not only a time for change, but also an opportunity for growth. I know we are up for the challenge.

David Cannady is a prosecutor, business owner, and candidate for Broward County State Attorney. Learn more at: www.Davidcannady.com; email: info@ davidcannady.com; text or call: 954-707-5030 n

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ENTREPRENEUR

Telemedicine Company Provides Safer Alternative to Doctor’s Visit During Pandemic

Teledactyl CEO/Chairman Alan E. Bottorff

BY MICHELLE SOLOMON

Entrepreneur Alan E. Bottorff always knew there was intrinsic value in offering telemedicine technology long before people couldn’t leave their homes because of the Coronavirus pandemic that has crippled the world.

Why should patients need to leave their homes for a minor health problem, Bottorff wondered. Or what if patients have physical barriers such as living in an underserved or rural setting to see a doctor?

Although Bottorff knew there would be a learning curve to get people accustomed to a non-traditional way of approaching health care, he was confident the time would come to introduce Teledactyl eVisit, a service that’s essentially a virtual doctor’s office that takes a patient’s interaction with their physician to the next level, according to Bottorff. This secure platform is HIPPAcompliant and includes features such as screen sharing, file sharing, calendar synching, and video recording. Bottorff says this platform also connects the various electronic media records or EMR systems.

“This is the turning point for telemedicine we have been talking about,” said Bottorff, chairman and chief

executive officer of Teledactyl, based in Palm Beach County but with services that extend nationwide. “The adaptation to telemedicine is going to move along faster now because people are going to be more comfortable seeing someone online because of what we’ve gone through with the Coronavirus.”

Telemedicine, the ability to have a doctor’s visit without leaving home, has many far-reaching positives and not just for the patient using the service, Bottorff said.

“This frees up emergency rooms for emergency situations,” he explained.

“You’re not exposing your immune system by going to an emergency room and you’re not exposing health-care workers on our front lines in times such as these.

Plus, there are rural and underserved areas that don’t have access to care that could utilize telemedicine.”

Bottorff, who retired from the United States Navy after 21 years, was working at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. His

wife, Dr. Tiffany McCalla-Bottorff, was an emergency room physician.

With his business acumen and his wife’s medical knowledge, they opened urgent care centers in Maryland. They sold the centers seven years ago when their son, Karsten, was born. They also have a two-year-old named Kaleb.

In December of 2011, they moved to South Florida where McCalla-Bottorff was born and raised in Plantation, Fla. “Florida was the better choice,” said Bottorff, who is from a small town north of Green Bay, Wis. McCalla-Bottorff is an emergency physician at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach.

Teledactyl offers other healthcare technologies as well. “Since we’re local, we’d like to make this area a technology hub,” he said. “Adding business technology companies like ours that are innovative and savvy attracts more of these types of businesses. We can start building South Florida as the tech hub of the United States.” n

TECHNOLOGY

Technology Trends Will Remain After Age of COVID-19 good and bad) in serving as a bridge to the new normal. There are several technology trends that have taken hold in response to COVID-19.

Kevin V. Michael, CEO and co-founder, Invizio

BY KEVIN V. MICHAEL

When this is all over, there will be no returning to “business as usual.” The COVID-19 pandemic and the shutdown of global economies is having an immeasurable impact on the way business is being conducted and will have a transformative effect on business strategies and practices into the foreseeable future. Technology has been playing an important role (both

Video Conferencing Is Here to Stay Out of necessity, the adoption of video conferencing as a business tool has skyrocketed. Video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Cisco Webex, Google Hangouts (now known as Google Meet), and Microsoft Teams have all seen major increases in daily usage. Although people are still awkwardly joining web meetings, they are growing used to it.

Video conferencing as a standard tool for business communication is here to stay. When quarantine restrictions are relaxed, there will be a normalcy to video conferencing that did not exist previously. Employees, customers, and partners will view videoconferencing as a viable alternative to in-person meetings. Companies and institutions should be prepared to provide training on video conferencing, outfit their teams with webcams, and upgrade their

meeting rooms to accommodate remote participants.

Cybersecurity Attacks Have Sharply Increased Cybersecurity criminals have fully embraced the old phrase that says, “You should never let a good crisis go to waste.” There has been a sharp rise in the number of cyber attacks that are targeting businesses and their employees who are working from home for the first time.

Hackers have seized upon the emotional anxiety caused by the pandemic to launch phishing attacks that offer information about COVID-19 as bait to obtain login passwords and compromise the security of business systems. Emphasizing cyber security training and adopting secure methods for remote access are key approaches that every business should take to keep safe from this spike in cyber attacks.

Adoption of Cloud File Sharing & Virtual Desktops When the crisis arrived at our doorstep,

many companies realized that they were not equipped to have their teams work from home for a prolonged period of time: not all employees had laptops, or some could not access the applications and data they used on a normal day at the office.

This has prompted increased adoption of collaboration tools for file sharing like Google G-Suite and Microsoft Office 365, but also accelerated the adoption of cloud/ virtual desktops, which allow employees to have the full experience of using a desktop from their web browser, while affording businesses the comfort of controlling and securing access to their sensitive data.

It is not clear when exactly things will return to normal, but these technology trends will be here long after COVID-19 is gone.

Kevin V. Michael is the CEO and cofounder of Invizio, a leading South Florida Managed IT Services Provider that provides outsourced IT management to organizations and companies, helping them operate more efficiently and reduce costs. n

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

There are 86 Million Reasons for MD Board of County Commissioners to Approve Contract to Ease Traffic Congestion

BY G. ERIC KNOWLES PRESIDENT AND CEO, MIAMI-DADE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

On October 30, 2019 following an in depth, fair public procurement RFP process as determined by the Office of Inspector General, Mayor Carlos Gimenez signed a letter of recommendation for the Advanced Traffic Management System. This system will provide traffic lights throughout the county with the technology to improve the flow of traffic and decrease traffic congestion.

Siemens Mobility was recommended to design, manage and install the Advanced Traffic Management System for MiamiDade County. The Siemens Mobility proposal not only provided the County with the best technology available, but the best value, as their offer was over $86 million lower than the second ranked bid. Unfortunately, seven months later the item has not been passed by the Miami-Dade County Commission. We ask the commissioners to please move forward in finalizing this contract.

This vital traffic improvement project will ease congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance quality of life by allowing Miami-Dade residents to spend 15% less time sitting in traffic.

This is critical to workers, families and to our business community.

Siemens Mobility plans to install intelligent hardware and software that collects data from

intersections and corridors, which will then be synchronized and integrated in real time to create a system designed to immediately counteract traffic overloads and congestion. The system will allow for traffic patterns throughout the County to be altered in real time to provide for the better movement of traffic.

Siemens Mobility brings a wealth of experience to this project, as they have implemented similar traffic systems and

technology in cities around the world. They will also create jobs in our community, not just in hiring local workers for their new Miami-Dade operations facility, but also utilizing local small business subcontractors touching over 200 additional jobs. Siemens committed to complete the first phase of the project in 4 years versus the second bidders 5-year schedule.

Siemens already has a local presence in the Miami area

employing over 300 fulltime employees and 5000+ statewide.

Siemens was named to Forbes’s 2019 best employers list for Florida. This list ranks companies best liked by employees. Siemens will bring long term, high paying jobs to Miami-Dade with this project.

The delay in approving this contract not only delays the improvement in reducing traffic congestion which has been promised for years, but delays jobs for our local contractors at a time when we need to get people back to work.

At a time when resources are stretched, why would the county consider wasting $86 million? This money can be utilized for other critical infrastructure projects and funding the services for people in need.

This project affects the entire county and Siemens Mobility provides the best value, has the most experience and will be the best local partner for MiamiDade. For the good of our transportation network, business community, economy and county residents, we implore the County Commissioners to bring the mayor’s recommendation of award to a vote in front of the full Board of County Commissioners as soon as possible. Our businesses, families and those who deal with the congestion of commuting to work are depending on you. n

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Introducing Miami’s and Powerful Bla MARVIN ALLEN

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER Miami Dolphins

20

PHILIP BACON

PRESIDENT Urban Philanthropies, Inc.

JOHNNY L. BARBER, II

RHAHIME AARON BELL

PHILLE BIEN-AIME

GREG CHIN

REVEREND Mt. Sinai M.B. Church / Mt. Sinai Community Development Corporation

CEO TruPath Recovery and Wellness

MAYOR City of North Miami

COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR Miami-Dade Aviation Department

BONITA D. COOPER

BASILEUS Pi Delta Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

SETH J. CRAPP M.D.

DEREK FLEMING

JOYCE R. FORCHION

PATRICIA HARPER GARRETT

PARTNER & DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Marcus Samuelsson Group/ Red Rooster

PRESIDENT/CEO Greater North Miami Chamber of Commerce

MICHAEL GRUBBS

CHEREE L. GULLEY, ESQ.

PRESIDENT Beta Beta Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Housing Finance Authority of Miami-Dade County

FOUNDER South Florida Radiology

RETIRED EDUCATOR Miami-Dade Public Schools

C. BRIAN HART

LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT 120, 218, 220 C. Brian Hart Insurance Corporation

SANDRA BRIDGEMAN

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER City of Miami

MIESHA S. DARROUGH

KEVIN WARNER CADETTE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Black Angels Miami

LESLIE ELUS

JUDGE Florida State Courts- Eleventh Circuit

PRESIDENT Iota Pi Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

NICOLE GATES

CHERISE GIORDANI GAUSE

FLORA M. JACKSON

MAURICE JENKINS IAP C.M.

MARKETING EXECUTIVE/RESTAURATEUR Lil Greenhouse Grill

PRESIDENT Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dade County Alumnae Chapter

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE Miami Police Department

DIVISION DIRECTOR FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS Miami International Airport

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020

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Most Influential ck Professionals of 20

AHMAND R. JOHNSON, ESQ.

CHAIR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT PRACTICE Diaz, Reus & Targ, LLP

SHAVON JONES

MARCK K. JOSEPH, ESQ. ATTORNEY AT LAW The Joseph Firm, P.A.

CEO/SR. CONSULTANT FAB Consulting Solutions, LLC

FINANCIAL ADVISER/WEALTH MANAGER IAA Wealth Management

DR. TISA MCGHEE

BRANDON A. OKPALOBI

ELIZABETH N. OWENS

DON D. PATTERSON-BLACKWELL

AUTHOR/TRAINER Sales for Lawyers

CEO & PRINCIPLE CONSULTANT Mc3 Consulting Inc.

DR. SHIRLEY PLANTIN

FOUNDER & CEO DIBIA Athletic & Dibia DREAM

CHIEF OF STAFF Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime

JAY PORTER

MICHELE RAYMOND

CHIEF EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT U-turn Youth Consulting

FOUNDER & CEO Inventors Trust

SHANNON S. THOMAS

RAHEL WELDEYESUS

PRESIDENT T5 Foundation

SYLVESTER KING JR.

CHIEF OF STAFF Miami-Dade County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava

DIVISION DIRECTOR Real Estate Management & Development Miami Dade Aviation Department

L’CHAUNDRA WILLIS

BASILEUS Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

STAN L. LECONTE

CHRISTINE E. JOHNSON

VICE PRESIDENT Innovation, Economic Development Miami Dade Beacon Council

SAUN LIGHTBOURNE

DIRECTOR OF HOTEL SALES Nobu Hotel Miami Beach & Eden Roc Hotel Miami Beach

JULIO PITI

PRESIDENT/CEO REVA Development Corporation

VICE PRESIDENT Member Investor Relations & Development Miami-Dade Beacon Council

KARL ROBERTSON

MARCUS SAMUELSSON

TROY E. WRIGHT

MINISTER DR. FREEMAN T. WYCHE, SR.

SENIOR FLOOR MANAGER Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Washington Avenue Business Improvement District

CHEF AND RESTAURATEUR Red Rooster Overtown

MINISTER, DR. Liberty City Church of Christ

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POLITICS

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020

Now Is Not the Time for Gaslight Politics

BY CHRISTOPHER NORWOOD

Recently, Florida’s Surgeon General Scott A. Rivkees was removed from Governor Ron DeSantis’ COVID-19 Cabinet meeting after stating that social distancing measures would need to continue until the creation of a vaccine.

He was then promptly escorted out of 1 AP_legacyAd_10.2x4.75_FINAL.pdf the press conference before it ended.

Apparently, Tallahassee and Washington eschews medicine and science for the politics of gaslighting: a tactic to gain more power and make a victim question their reality — common tools of abusers, dictators, narcissists, and cult leaders.

Dr. Rivkees is an internationally renowned expert on developmental biology and a former faculty member of Harvard, Yale, and University of Florida’s School of Medicine. Although he doesn’t have a background in public health, he was appointed by DeSantis.

The Senate confirmed him last month.

History teaches us that disease changes the politics of societies. For example, the Taino natives of Hispaniola Island (Haiti and Dominican Republic) numbered hundreds of thousands and welcomed Christopher Columbus with tokens of friendship. Forty years later, the Taino numbered less than 500.

They fell victim to terrible plagues of smallpox, 4/24/20 3:53 PM influenza, and other viruses.

Their politics changed to survival and adapting to their new society. Similarly, disease more than war, decimated U.S. Native Americans.

The politics of African Americans must change and adapt. Styles of leadership will change and leadership itself will either follow or be replaced.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change,” Charles Darwin said.

In these days and times, I’m reminded of the profound wisdom of Grandma Geneva, who said, “When White folk catch a cold, Black folk get pneumonia.” It’s sad, but it’s still true. COVID-19 exposes the frailness of health within African-American communities. We are suffering at disproportionate rates, and dying at more disparate and alarming rates.

Now more than ever, we must curtail our fixation with national news

and with the government’s effort to make us believe that we should be back to “normal” in order to promote their political agenda. We must focus on protecting ourselves physically, emotionally and financially if we want to survive these times.

In direct contrast to the mess in Washington and Tallahassee, I’m grateful and proud of the actions of our local government and school boards.

While Washington and Tallahassee are all over the place, Miami Dade County Public Schools has shown stable leadership from day one by feeding the poor, provided mobile devices for the needy, child care for health professionals, pay for part-time workers of the largest employer in Miami Dade and virtual public education, giving normalcy during these abnormal times.

Christopher Norwood, J.D. is the principal at The Norwood Consulting Group. n

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Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan District One

HIGHER INCIDENCE OF COVID-19 IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES MEANS NS NEED FOR GREATE GREATER R VIGILANCE LANCE NC The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact that has touched people across the globe. Although this disease does not see color, age, gender, religion or class; data continues to emerge illustrating that this disease is having a devastating and disproportionate effect on African Americans. Research shows that the virus is most prevalent among those suffering from obesity, high blood pressure, asthma and diabetes. We all know that these risks factors are most common among blacks. Not only are we more likely to have these underlying health conditions but we are also twice as likely to lack health insurance as compared to our white counterparts and more likely to live in medically underserved areas where primary care is sparse or too expensive. As African Americans we are more likely to have jobs that do not allow us to self-isolate and work from home and are more likely to live in high-density, urban areas where social distancing can be a challenge.

As a result of all these factors combined, black people are getting infected more and unfortunately dying at a much higher rate from COVID-19. It is critical that we know the facts about this disease so that we can assess the impact in communities of color. We must ensure that these communities have equal and adequate access to testing and treatment and develop public health strategies to protect the most vulnerable.

Not only do we have to take the standard precautionary measures to avoid contracting this deadly disease, such as social distancing, wearing face coverings, constantly washing our hands and avoiding touching our faces, we also have to make lifestyle changes that lead to the systemic underlying health conditions that this disease so viciously attacks. That means eating healthier, going to the doctor more often, sleeping better and exercising. These changes are a must if we are to survive this pandemic as well as safeguard the well-being of future generations. We must protect ourselves and we must remain vigilant. We will get through this TOGETHER!

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MEDIATION/ARBITRATION

Online Negotiation, Mediation Create Value Through COVID-19

BY STANLEY ZAMOR

“I must apologize for the stability of the online platform. Social distancing has exponentially increased online traffic. I cannot see everyone… Instructions and preliminary ground rules were previously provided with my engagement letter.

Simply press the camera icon, or stay on the voice line if you are choosing to remain off camera. I have control of all the

Part 1 – Setting, Creating A Tone for Online Negotiating:

As the world transforms, adapts and deals with practicing “social distancing,” business in many industries still goes on. Conflict does not end; neither does mediation/conflict solutions. The above is an introduction of how I recently commenced a mediation session rescheduled to be an online mediation conference. There is no substitute for a face-to-face negotiation, even though most mediations are conducted completely in separate rooms, during “caucus sessions.”

Caucusing is where the mediator

shuttles between rooms exchanging numbers and assisting in creating a settlement agreement. This particular case was difficult as the attorneys were from large firms eager to go to trial and the parties were emotionally entrenched in a three-year, seven-figure business partnership gone bad.

This column is the first of a three-part series describing how to negotiate and create an online environment where “mutual gains” to an agreement is the objective.

1. Test the online platform prior to use. If possible, use encrypted platforms and other privacy protocols.

2. Know your technology limitations (bandwidth, high traffic times to limit platform crashes).

3. If video will not be used, make sure everyone who is participating announces themselves before they speak.

4. Create a written agenda of how the meeting will be facilitated including speaking order, advocates’ roles, parties’ roles and the negotiator/mediator’s role, and the general goals/expectation(s) of the

conference. Circulate the agenda.

5. Have a plan “B” and even “C” if there are platform glitches or technology issues.

6. Make sure you have all systems, platforms, software paid for and updated prior to your meeting.

Part 2 – Creating Mutual Gains and Value Part 3 – Techniques and Skill that Work When Negotiating Online Stanley Zamor is a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit/family/county mediator and primary trainer and qualified arbitrator.

Zamor serves on several federal and state mediation/arbitration rosters and mediates with the ATD (Agree2Disagree) Mediation & Arbitration, PA throughout Florida. As an ADR consultant, he regularly lectures about a variety of topics from ethics, crosscultural issues, diversity, bullying, and family/business relationships.

szamor@effectivemediationconsultants. com; www.effectivemediationconsultants. com; www.LinkedIn.com/in/stanleyzamoradr (954) 261-8600 n

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participants’ phone/video lines… Both the plaintiff and the defendant are on the voice/ video line with their attorneys in separate locations, correct?... Let’s begin. Thank you for allowing me to be your mediator.

Today’s mediation is scheduled to be facilitated online. To ensure confidentiality and a productive process, please be in a dedicated quiet location. Recording any portion of this mediation is prohibited. Can I get everyone’s agreement to these initial ground rules?”

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BUSINESS REPORT

Business Inclusion Leads to Job Creation, Generational Wealth

BY BEATRICE LOUISSAINT

Minorities and women make up 68 percent of the United States’ population, but the businesses they own win just 5 percent of Fortune 500 business spending.

Federal, state and local government agencies also primarily do business with majority-owned companies. Most do not meet their own annual goals for doing business with minority and womenowned businesses.

If minority-owned businesses were able to double the business they do with Fortune 500 companies and governmental institutions, millions of jobs would be created, and wealth would grow in communities of color.

In South Florida, programs that effectively develop minority businesses should be an important component of strategies to tackle the crisis of low wages that is plaguing the region. Minority entrepreneurs often hire more minorities and are more likely to take chances on those whom many consider hard to place or unemployable.

Our regional economy is fueled by small and minority-owned businesses.

Both the private and public sectors need to identify strategies to accelerate the growth of minority businesses that are past the first stage of development.

These companies require resources and support to grow into mid-size and large companies with significant workforces and high-paying jobs. The dividends are potentially high: nationally, businesses of 10 or more employees account for

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more than 70 percent of job creation and revenue growth among minority-owned companies, according to a June 2019 report from “Endeavor Insight.” Yet, only 19 percent of Black-owned businesses and 20 percent of Hispanic-owned businesses reach this scale, according to the report.

In addition to creating jobs, entrepreneurs who scale companies are more likely to create generational wealth.

“Endeavor Insight’s research shows that owning a company that has grown to at least 10 employees “would provide enough economic value to move the median Black or Hispanic household to a financial position greater than that of the median U.S. family.”

Investments in helping minorityowned businesses scale up are likely to have other dividends as well.

Entrepreneurs with businesses of this size have garnered knowledge, expertise and connections they often share with other members of their communities. More minority-owned businesses of this size would also help counter the “brain drain”

of Black talent from South Florida.

Unfortunately, “Endeavor Insight” identified what it calls a “scaling gap” – minority entrepreneurs are more likely to aspire to grow their companies, yet are less likely to do so than other founders.

Our community can bridge this gap through programs specifically targeted to help minority-owned businesses scale up. In a community that is “majority minority,” the impact will be tremendous.

Beatrice Louissaint is president and CEO of the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council, one of 23 regional councils affiliated with the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

The FSMSDC acts as a liaison between corporate America and government agencies 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’s programs and services at fsmsdc.org, or call (305) 762-6151. n

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MIAMI HOTELS

GMCVB Serves as Lifeline for Hotels Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

and potentially infect family members.”

Because they’re a B&B where they serve their guests breakfast, Copper Door has created Rosie’s Pop-Up Café, serving popular items like chicken ‘n waffles, chicken ‘n biscuits and grits.

“Rosie’s Pop Up is open Monday

BY JOSIE GULLIKSEN

With Miami’s tourism industry reeling because of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau sprang into action hosting a forum in early March to help hotels.

“With tourism being Miami’s No. 1 industry, and as the marketing agency for the city, when it comes to tourism we have to help our industry in these times of need and formulate a plan on how we bounce back in times of recovery,” said Connie Kinnard, GMCVB’s vice president of Multicultural Tourism.

The Coronavirus Hotel Forum was the beginning of the GMCVB’s three-pronged approach – educating, mitigating and recovery. It brought the community together and featured hotel leaders, health department officials and leaders of the Miami Beach Hotel Association.

“We made sure to inform and prepare the community to start thinking

“With tourism being Miami’s No. 1 industry…we have to help our industry in these times of need and formulate a plan on how we bounce back in times of recovery.”

- Connie Kinnard, GMCVB’s vice president of

Multicultural Tourism

of this as something coming down the pike,” Kinnard said.

Mitigation is “where we are now, trying to help those in our hospitality world get through this the best way we can,” she said.

The GMCVB created the Miami Eats program, listing restaurants that were open for both delivery and takeout. “We asked ‘what can you do’ within the parameters of local government,” Kinnard said. “We also have the Miami Pandemic Response Fund, a partnership we have with United Way and other organizations, for families who have emergency needs of food and shelter,

“First responders will want to stay with us because they may be too tired to drive home and also may not want to go home and potentially infect family members.”

- Jamila Ross

co-owner of the Copper Door B&B

Newly-engaged couple Jamila Ross and Akino West are the co-owners of the Copper Door B&B located at 439 N.W. Fourth Ave., Miami.

mainly for hospitality workers.”

Additionally, the GMCVB’s Help for Tourism page features a list of additional partnerships and resources. “The hotels that are open are the ones that will take our essential lodgers – vulnerable, homeless, first responders and families. The list is on our website,” she said.

One of those hotels is the Copper Door B&B in Historic Overtown where owner Jamila Ross said she is grateful for the efforts of the GMCVB.

“Our partnership with GMCVB has been so humbling,” Ross said. “We’re grateful to have Guests at the Cooper Door B&B are served breakfast them on our side. As a momevery morning, which includes chicken ‘n waffles, grits, and-pop operation, it’s incredibly eggs, and biscuits on the menu. helpful to have their genuine support along with the rest of Memorial Hospital, Ross said, “First Miami. They’ve been able to plug us responders will want to stay with us into all their areas of business and we’re because they may be too tired to drive happy to be on their agenda as well.” home and also may not want to go home

Strategically located near Jackson

through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon or until we run out,” Ross said. “We post up-to-minute updates on the pop-up on our social media handles.”

According to Ross, verified first responders and medical professionals will receive a discounted rate at the Copper Door, including extendedstay reservations.

The GMCVB has created a recovery program called Miami Shines to help drive business back to the hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions, and other area businesses. According to the GMCVB, the campaign centers around what makes MiamiDade county such a special place—not just the weather and sunshine, but the shine of its people, places, neighborhoods, and experiences.

The GMCVB hopes the program will jumpstart area businesses at the appropriate time, post COVID-19. n

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PROFILES IN LEADERSHIP

Black Professionals Network Maintains Mission through Social Media

BY MONIQUE HOWARD

It’s a Friday afternoon at 1 at the height of social-distancing in South Florida. With an infectious laugh and warm smile, Kenasha Paul, CEO and founder of the Black Professionals Network, welcomes a revolving door of panelists for an important discussion.

No more hugs or handshakes here for an organization known for socializing and networking. This special event — discussing how 20 to 30-something-yearold black professionals are transitioning from working at the office to their living rooms — is a virtual meeting on Instagram. A sign of the times, Paul says.

“More than ever, black businesses have to work together,” Paul said.

“Everyone needs to work together.

Providing technical assistance for those who don’t have a website or social media presence — these are things we’ve been telling business owners to do 10 years ago.”

Social distancing, isolation and quarantines have also forced professionals to turn to video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams to

In this Instagram screenshot, Black Professionals Network CEO and founder Kenasha Paul and BPN’s EVP of Grants and Compliance Dr. Whitney Watkins welcome IG followers to one of the organization’s social media discussions.

SOCIAL MEDIA

stay connected. Paul says utilizing online resources provides professionals with innovative ways to complete work-related tasks and still be immersed in a collective community despite physical isolation.

“You can be an innovative company by adopting new technology, teaching employees how to adopt these new technologies, and ramping up business by looking at the lay of the land,” Paul said.

“Use the available tools, have an intern learn it.”

Paul works remotely for the Minority Business Development Agency and provides teleconferences, coaching, and mentoring for business clients. She says the technical resources have always been available, but the pandemic has left professionals and entrepreneurs with no choice but to conduct business online.

During the pandemic, BPN has offered an array of informative webinars and social media events to help professionals manage everything from their finances to their mental health.

One segment featured Dr. Kimberly Reynolds who advised BPN’s Instagram followers about how to schedule their day inside a three-hour block, prioritizing

tasks to fit within each block in hopes of better managing their work day.

Another segment introduced financial adviser Marcus Moon who compared the stock market’s current state to purchasing discounted items at a store.

“View the stock market as if it were Nordstrom giving an 80 percent off sale,” Moon said. “If you have $500 and there is a share that is $10, then you could buy 50 of them.”

For Paul, perhaps the most beneficial advice BPN has shared to its nearly 6,000 social media followers is how to find peace and mental wellness at a time when the world seems upside down.

“This might be the pause and reset that we all needed to prioritize how to take care of ourselves,” she said.

“Meditate, work out, do things that are going to bring you calm. We can’t control the outcome, but we can control our responses.”

For more information about the Black Professionals Network and its upcoming webinars, visit mybpn.org. n

Social Media Is Helping Connect the World During a Global Pandemic

Dr. Tracy Timberlake, award-winning business coach

BY DR. TRACY TIMBERLAKE

As leaders are forced to process and pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has been more important than ever. Those who have resisted going digital are now having to adapt in more ways than one. We all need to accept that this is the new normal.

Since the dawn of social media, the Coronavirus is not the first outbreak the world has seen. There was H1N1 Swine Flu (2009), the Ebola outbreak (2014), and Zika (2015). Because organizations didn’t have the swiftness to communicate to the masses, people often looked to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for information. These platforms have become a very regular part of everyday life and critical to getting news out fast, especially in a time of crisis.

With COVID-19, health organizations have been much better at using those channels to communicate.

Individual users also use social media to share their stories and experiences.

Tiktok had Wuhan Quarantiners updating the world daily on what’s happening, study-abroad students are documenting their experiences, and people who have contracted the virus are sharing symptoms and everyday updates.

In a time where the world is fighting this battle together, there seems to be a sense

of camaraderie because we can all live each other’s experiences in real time.

Social media reports have also inspired action among global citizens.

People are starting funding campaigns for organizations and individuals in need. Medical professionals from different countries are using social media to connect, collaborate, and curate ideas about how to stop this thing.

Businesses are seeing the importance of using social media to interact with their customers during times of social distancing, and giving strong reason to strengthen their digital footprint and online communities.

Those who are quarantined don’t have to feel completely isolated. And many people are using the power of social media to spread positivity in the world during a time when fear seems so prevalent. So many people are online these days that technology companies have actually questioned if the Internet can sustain this kind of usage.

We have all been forced to go

digital. Although there is a bad side, the good outweighs it. Of course there are accounts that circulate misinformation and doomsday reports: threats of national mandatory lock downs and a declaration of Marshall Law, conspiracy theories and false narratives.

To help the mass public distinguish between fact or fiction, social platforms are making every effort to employ fake news fighting algorithms. When you see something blatantly false, report it.

Secondly, make sure that any official information you get comes from an official source, not a friend of a friend who is thrice removed from “higher ups.” Lastly, if you hear something that sounds sketchy, take a moment and look it up.

We are all going to come out on the other side of this. It will be interesting to see how these digital changes affect us in the long run.

Dr. Tracy Timberlake is a multi-award winning digital business coach. n

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LEGACY BRIEFS MIAMI WORKERS CENTER NAMES INTERIM LEADER

Miami Workers Center has announced Santra Denis as interim executive director. As interim ED, she is eager to prepare Miami Workers Center to kick-off a powerful Denis next decade of community building and advocacy campaigns for black and brown women, girls and femmes. Denis has served Catalyst Miami since 2010.

She has worked in several positions including chief programs officer and vice president of Community Prosperity.

Denis graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in health science, and from Florida International University with a master of public health in policy and management.

DR. SANTARVIS BROWN WINS TOP HONOR IN EDUCATION

Dr. Santarvis Brown has been selected for the Top 100 Leaders in Education Award.

The award will be presented to him at the Global Forum for Education and Learning conference Brown in June in Las Vegas.

Brown is board chairman of the HBCU Campaign Fund.

He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. JOHN YEARWOOD NAMED EDITOR OF POLITICO NEWSLETTER

John Yearwood has been named editor of Global Translations, a POLITICO weekly newsletter that recently launched.

“It’s your guide to the big issues facing the planet, Yearwood from economic growth to inequality, from technology to trade to climate

change,” Yearwood said.

In addition, he is the deputy editor of trade and agriculture coverage at POLITICO. Yearwood is the former world editor of the Miami Herald. He was honorary co-chair of the National of Association of Black Journalists convention in Miami in August 2019.

PRESIDENT HAILE SELECTED FOR INAUGURAL INSTITUTE’S NEW PRESIDENTS FELLOWSHIP

Gregory Adam Haile, president

of Broward College, has been selected by the Aspen Institute to join the 2020-21 inaugural class of the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship, a new initiative designed to support community college presidents in the Haile early years of their tenure to accelerate transformational change on behalf of students.

Haile is one of 25 Aspen Fellows selected from more than 100 applicants for this opportunity, which is fully funded by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and run by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. The leaders, all of whom are in their first five years as a college president, will engage in a seven-month fellowship beginning in June 2020.

The fellows, who have been college presidents for five years or less, were selected for their commitment to student success and equity, willingness to take risks to improve outcomes, understanding of the importance of community partnerships, and ability to lead change.

AKERMAN’S LITIGATION BENCH EXPANDS IN WEST PALM BEACH WITH GRASFORD SMITH

Grasford Smith has joined Akerman LLP as the firm’s national Litigation Practice Group in West Palm Beach.

He joins from Jones Foster P.A., bringing a wide array of experience in complex commercial litigation. Smith has particular expertise resolving matters in the financial services, real estate, hospitality, retail, and maritime

industries. Smith actively holds leadership roles with the Florida Bar, Palm Beach County Bar Association, Florida Supreme Court, and Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.

He also currently Smith serves as president of the National Bar Association’s Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter, vice chair of the National Bar Association’s Minority Partners Division, and president-elect of Palm Beach County’s Black Chamber of Commerce.

FINLEY-HAZLE LEAVES SOUTH FLORIDA TO RUN PHOENIX HOSPITAL

Gabrielle Finley-Hazle has been

named president and CEO of Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz., and Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Westgate Medical Center in Glendale, Ariz. Prior to joining Finley-Hazle St. Joseph’s, FinleyHazle served as CEO of St. Mary’s Medical Center and Palm Beach Children’s Hospital; and as CEO for Florida Medical Center.

DR. CLAUDE JONES HEADS CARE ALLIANCE HEALTH CENTER

Dr. Claude L. Jones leaves South Florida to become president and CEO of Care Alliance Health Center in Cleveland, Ohio. He had served as interim president and CEO since August 2019.

Jones will also retain the title of chief Jones medical officer. He intends to continue as a practicing physician and will see patients one day a week.

Jones previously served as the medical executive director overseeing public health programs for two counties at the Florida Department of Health; served as senior vice president and

chief medical officer at Jessie Trice Community Health Centers, and was assistant medical director at Broward Addiction Recovery Center.

Jones received his medical degree from Nova Southeastern University.

He also earned a master’s of Public Health and master of science in law and policy degree from Nova Southeastern University.

EISNERAMPER LLP NAMES BRIGETTE LUMPKINS DIRECTOR EisnerAmper LLP, a global

business advisory firm, has announced the addition of Brigette Lumpkins as a director responsible for creating strategic growth and maximizing business Lumpkins opportunities throughout Florida.

Lumpkins has more than 20 years of experience in sales, client development, and account management at Fortune 100, start-up, and smallto medium-sized companies in the investment management, capital markets, media, and health care industries.

Prior to joining the firm, Lumpkins was the director of business development at a systematic long/short equity hedge fund where she directed all capital raising, branding, investor relations, and marketing activities.

DID YOU RECENTLY GET A PROMOTION? ARE YOU A NEW HIRE AT A SOUTH FLORIDA COMPANY? DOES YOUR FIRM HAVE A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE? Let us know by sharing your good news in Legacy Briefs. Send a press release and your professional headshot to rm@miamediagrp.com.

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