On Tuesday, February 28, 2017, the Broward Black Elected Officials (BBEO) in association with Broward County Commissioner and BBEO’s chairman, Dale Holness will host the inaugural State of Black Broward event at the African-American Research Library & Cultural Center (AARLCC).
The event present an opportunity for the members of Broward County black community to hold discussions and take an introspective look at various issues including economic development and black economic growth, employment, criminal justice, education, health, housing and the participation in county politics.
Commissioner Holness says he decided to be involved in the inaugural event as he believes it’s critical for the community. “The purpose is to come up with an action plan for the pivotal issues we face and identify clear solutions on how we can work together and bring about real change.”
He also said there is significance in having the event at the AARLCC as “it is often the center of educational, social, and cultural events, and moreover its celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year.
Moderated by WHQT Hot 105 FM’s Rodney Baltimore, executive producer and co-host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the event will include a number of panel discussions where the panelists will Panels discuss the prevailing issues, seek solutions, develop a plan of actions including short and long term goals, and lay out a realistic implementation schedule.
Some of the panelists for the various panels include:
Political – U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings, Commissioner Holness, State Representative Bobby DuBose, Dr. Brenda Snipes, Supervisor of Elections, Commissioner Ken Thurston, City of Lauderhill.
Economic Development/Black Business Growth/Increase Net Worth – Sandy Michael McDonald, Director, Office of Economic and Small Business Development, Commissioner Michael Carn, City of Oakland Park, Professor Frank Schnidman, Former Distinguished Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida Atlantic University, Sheryl Dickey, President,Dickey Consulting Services, and Barron Channe, Real Estate Developer.
Employment – Newton Sanon, President & CEO, OIC of South Florida, Carol Hylton, Executive Vice President,Career Source Broward, Lt. Keith Martin, Broward Progressive Firefighters, and Scott Strawbridge, Director, Fort Lauderdale Housing Authority.
Criminal Justice – Gordon Weekes, Chief Asst. Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender, Chief Dwayne Flournoy, City of Hallandale Beach Police Department, Marsha Ellison, President, NAACP Broward County Chapter, Kimm Campbell, Director, Broward County Human Services, Senator Perry Thurston, and Judge Elijah Williams.
Education – Superintendent Robert Runcie, Broward County Public Schools, President Avis Proctor, Broward College, North Campus, Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Broward County School Board Member, Gwyn Clarke Reed, Mike Olbel, CEO, Team Saving Our Youth, Inc., and Marcus Burgess, Vice-President of Advancement, Florida Memorial University.
To date the panelists for the health and Housing panels are yet to be finalized, however, Dr. Germaine Baugh, President & CEO, Urban League Broward County and others has agreed to serve on the health pane.
Those attending will have an opportunity to network and visit booths to receive information on services provided by different organizations and businesses located in Broward County.
