Sherry Paramore
Sharon Y. Riley
VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
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herry Paramore currently serves as vice president for Institutional Advancement at Bethune-Cookman University, a Historically Black University (HBCU) located in Daytona Beach, Fla. In her role, Paramore is responsible for developing strategic philanthropic partnerships to support the University’s students, faculty, staff, and campus initiatives. Prior to joining B-CU, Paramore was president of ELEVATE Orlando. The Central Florida non-profit organization equips and empowers underserved youth with in-school instruction, 24/7 mentoring, and post-secondary preparation. Like many students at Bethune-Cookman and ELEVATE, Paramore is a graduate of the historic Jones High School and a first-generation college student. Her life experiences allow her to shape the lives of students and prepare them for thriving futures. Paramore holds her B.A. in Political Science from Bethune-Cookman College, a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the University Central Florida Public Affairs doctoral program. With a laser focus on attaining educational equity for lower-income students, Paramore’s research garnered national attention and was recently featured in the “Washington Post.” The Late John Lewis once said, “when you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” Paramore feels fortunate to have a 30-year career providing leadership to local non-profit organizations that advocate for better futures for our youth. Creating systemic change gives students equal access to higher education which is crucial to empowering students to succeed, build careers and reinvest in their communities. Paramore’s passion in life is community service, and she serves in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Metro Orlando Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, Orlando (FL) Chapter, YMCA Roper Board, Central Florida Women’s League, an ELEVATE Orlando Board member, and a member of Florida Executive Women. Paramore is married to Mike, and they have one handsome son, Mikey.
PASTOR AGAPE PERFECTING PRAISE AND WORSHIP CENTER
“Live with passion. Live with enthusiasm. Live your best life.” LAILAH GIFTY AKITA
astor Sharon Riley matriculated through the Orange County Public School System, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Divinity at the Grace School of Theology in The Woodlands, Texas. She received an honorary doctorate degree in Divinity from St. Thomas Christian College in Jacksonville, Fla. In 1998, Riley began to carry out the call that God had placed on her life by leading a group of seven people in the establishment of the Agape Perfecting Praise and Worship Center, a non-denominational, cross-cultural, congregation in Orlando. She has served as the senior pastor at Agape since its inception and has led the congregation in the acquisition of properties in both Orange County and the City of Orlando. Riley has served as a guest lecturer at Faith Christian University in Orlando, is a United Way Reading Pals volunteer, holds certificates in Biblical and Grief Counseling, is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, is the former managing editor of “GospelNOW Christian Lifestyle Magazine,” and is also an executive board member of Central Florida’s African American Council of Christian Clergy. She is an Orange County Public Schools Leadership Orange graduate, an Orange County Citizens on Patrol Academy graduate, a Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute Teachers Academy participant, a two-term mayoral appointee to the Orange County Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Board, a mayoral appointee to the City of Orlando’s Redistricting Advisory Board, and an advisory board member for the African American Women’s History Month Project. Riley is the recipient of numerous commendations for her engagement in social and civic affairs, an itinerant minister, motivational speaker, and published author and editor with contributions to the anthology of sermons entitled, “These Sisters Can Say It,” and the newly released book, “If Pews Could Talk.” Pastor Riley and the members of Agape Perfecting Praise & Worship were instrumental in assisting residents who were negatively impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
"F aith is the first factor in a life devoted to service. Without it, nothing is possible. With it, nothing shall be impossible." DR. MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE
58 ONYX MAGAZINE
ONYX MAGAZINE 59
