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Andre Pierre
Mr. Pierre received his engineering degree from New York Institute of Technology and his law degree from University of Miami School of Law in 1997. While in law school, Mr. Pierre clerked for the Honorable Melvia Green at the Third District Court of Appeals and then worked for a number of years with an intellectual property law firm in Miami. Mr. Pierre has also worked at the Dade county Public Defender's Office as a Certified Legal Intern.Mr. Pierre has authored a number of articles on intellectual property law directed to Res-Ipsa Loquitur, Haitech and National Society of Black Engineers Bi-Weekly Journal. Mr. Pierre is a Board Member of the Greater North Miami Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Pierre is also a member of the Florida Bar, American Bar Association, The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Haitian Lawyers Association, National Black Lawyers Association, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Haitian American Engineers & Scientist Society, National Society of Black Engineers, South Florida Patent Law Association and Caribbean Bar Association.Upon passing the Florida Bar, Mr. Pierre decided to open his own law practice in Miami. In addition, Andre is currently teaching Immigration and Naturalization Law, Legal Research, Real Estate and Business Organization at Barry University.
Andre Pierre is a solo practitioner with a well-diversified practice with a concentration in criminal defense and immigration and naturalization law.
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ANDRE DOMINIQUE PIERRE, ESQUIRE
Offices at Banyan Bay
6301 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 101
Miami Florida 33138
(305) 756-5250
Email: pierreatty@email.msn.com
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March - April Shaker Recipients
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Mrs. Black has been an advocate for community and economic development since the early 1970’s when she served as President of the Ad-Hoc Committee for Logan in Philadelphia, Pa, which advocated the creation of the Community Reinvestment Act because banks were not investing in urban neighborhoods. A former Deputy Director of Commerce for the City of Philadelphia, she has over 30 years experience in business and economic development in developing programs and services in economically depressed urban and rural areas. Her responsibilities have included (1) fundraising, planning, developing and implementing policies designed to stimulate small business growth; (2) managing neighborhood commercial revitalization and enterprise zone programs; (3) managing commercial construction projects; and (4) structuring finance packages for investment ventures. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Finance from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, with advanced studies at Temple University, University of Pennsylvania and Florida International University.
In 1998, Mrs. Black served as the Consultant/ Executive Officer for Peoples National Bank of Commerce, while they searched for a permanent President.
In 1999 Mrs. Black was a presenter at the Fifth African-American Conference held in Ghana, West African. While there she developed businesses relations with government official and traditional business leaders. She has coordinated several Trade Missions to Ghana. The Missions have resulted in business opportunities in Ghana and in the United States of American and led to the establishment of a Tools For Change in Ghana West Africa to train and assist businesses that conduct business in Ghana and is currently establishing a “Sister City” relationship with Florida cities.
Mrs. Black is currently the Executive Director of the Black Economic Development Coalition, Inc. d/b/a Tools For Change. She is responsible for the administration of the daily activities as well as all fund raising for the corporation. Tools For Change provides business development consulting which includes: legal counseling on business formation, marketing, government certification of businesses, preparations of bids for the public and private sectors customized job training, and loan facilitation of business loans from banks, SBA and other sources.
Mrs. Black serves on the following boards:
• Enterprise Florida Partners Council Chair – Urban Committee
• South Florida Workforce High Skills – High ? Committee and Construction Task Force
• Black Achievers of South Florida
• Weed and Seed of Miami-Dade County
• Gwen Cherry Park Foundation Secretary
• NFL-YET Center Advisory Board Chairperson
• Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition
• Coral Gabels Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
• Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce
• Beacon Council Urban Institution Task Force
A couple of recent notable awards conferred upon Mrs. Black were:
• In 2001 she was acknowledged by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce for her untiring dedication and service to the African American Business Community
• In 2003 she was selected by the Department of Defense to participate in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference 66, which went to Italy, Germany,England, and Georgia (former Soviet Union)
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Elizabeth Joseph Biography
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Elizabeth Joseph (“Lisa”) is a six-year veteran of public and community relations as well as marketing/promotions. She has vast experience in a wide range of PR and marketing disciplines, including but not limited to consumer, event, non-profit and sports marketing. Lisa joined the Overtown Youth Center (OYC) in 2002, as Director of Development, assuming day-to-day management of fundraising, donor cultivation, and marketing. She is also responsible for building alliances with local corporations to garner support for OYC and organize the foundations’ strategic program and development structure.
Prior to establishing her partnership with the Overtown Youth Center, Lisa served as the Director of Event Marketing and Public Relations for Alonzo Mourning Charities, Inc. managing events for the foundation and handling local and national publicity efforts for NBA All-star center Alonzo Mourning.
Lisa has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication from the University of Miami and a Master’s degree in Communication from Florida International University. She is a proud board member of Honey Shine, Inc., a foundation tailored to meet the needs of young minority women in the community; the Overtown Family Enrichment Center, and currently serving her provisional year with the Junior League of Miami.
Additionally, Lisa consults on various projects through Implement Communications, a company she started in 2002, meeting the needs of clients through public relations, media services, event marketing / planning and talent placement.
Jannie L Russell
Jannie L Russell, CEO and Founder of Teen Upward Bound and Community Activist. Devoted wife of 29 years to Minister Calvin Russell Sr. and mother of four: Chandra, Alexis, Calvin Jr. and Kiesha.
Teen Up-Ward Bound began as vision in the life of Mrs. Jannie L. Russell in the year of 1987. Mrs. Russell having a teen aged daughter at that time saw that there was a great need for teen mentoring. The teens were constantly complaining that no one was listening to them. Teens felt that adults were setting the rules , but not really seeing what it was the teens really wanted. No matter what segment of youth she worked with, the complaint was the same, (parents don’t listen) including her daughter.
Being very active with her church, community schools, girl scouts, optimist clubs and the youth in her neighborhood, she began to listen and understand what the youth and teens had to say. This made her to realize that young people were listening to us, they were paying attention and they wanted to obey the rules that were set for them, but for the most part we were not listening to them. As a matter of fact, most young people felt rules were needed. The more Jannie listened, she learned that our young people were crying for help, but no one was listening. Out of those years of listening, listening, listening, training, workshops, and learning came Teen Upward Bound, Inc. Teen Upward Bound was founded in January, 1999 and incorporated in March 2001.
Jannie is a graduate of Coral Gables Senior High School and Charron-Williams College where she became a Certified Medical Assistant. Jannie also received her Certificate of Phlebotomy from Miami Dade Community College. Over the years, Jannie has taken many courses, workshops and seminars to enhance her ability to continue as a listening ear for the youth in her community.
In addition to giving through Teen Upward Bound, Jannie also serves as Vice President to the North Dade Middle School Band Booster Parent Committee, is the Chair of the Opa Locka Abstinence Advisory Board, acts as a Youth Counselor at the House of God Miracle Revival Fellowship Church, Inc. (Rev. J. Mortimer, Pastor/Overseer) where she has been a member for over 30 years, is a member of the Department of Juvenile Justice Grants Review Board, sits on the Opa Locka Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, is the current President of the Opa Locka Optimist Club, is a very active member of the Opa Locka/North Dade Front Porch Revitalization Council and much more.
As you can see from the brief synopsis of her vision and love for the youth, Jannie Russell is dedicated to enhancing the lives of the young people in her community, church as everywhere.
“Mary” Alice Brown
licensed healthcare provider and retired Healthcare Administrator, who is a product of the Dade County and Florida School systems, including Dorsey High School (1955), Florida A&M University (1955-57), Lindsey Hopkins (1963), Miami Dade Community College (1971), Florida International University (1979) and Biscayne College (1982). Her 34 year nursing career includes LPN, RN, Nursing Supervisor, Nursing Director, Instructor and Administrator.
“Mary” is the devoted wife if Mr. Frank Brown of 49 years and is the proud mother of 5 children, grandmother to 13 grandchildren and great-grandmother to 1. Ms. Brown as faithfully served as a 35 year member of the Holy Temple Missionary Baptist Church (Opa Locka).
Ms. Brown served as the Administrator of the Liberty City Health Services Center for 16 years and Administrator of the Juantia Mann Health Center for 5 years. She has distinguished herself as an outstanding advocate for quality health care and sickest, neediest unserved and underserved in Miami Dade County.
Ms. Brown served from 1980-1995 as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Opa Locka Community Redevelopment Corporation and also served a secretary to the same board. As Chairperson of the Northwest Transportation Corridor, Mary Brown led the fight to obtain funds needed to extend the Metrorail from 79th Street to County Line Road. She has served on the Weed & Seed Board and the Board of Directors for the Urban League of Greater Miami, where she now serves as a Healthcare Consultant. Ms. Brown also served as Chaplin for the Zeta Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Judge Shirlyon J. McWhorter
Judge McWhorter began her legal career in 1991 as an Assistant State Attorney with the Dade County State Attorney's office in "County Court," where she now serves as a Judge. Judge McWhorter was chosen as one of the first prosecutors to serve as an attorney for the newly formed full time Domestic Violence Court in the State of Florida. During her tenure at the State Attorney's Office, she also volunteered to work in the Juvenile Division where she was promoted to Assistant Division Chief. Judge McWhorter contends she volunteered to go to Juvenile Court to serve as a role model for the many minority juveniles who are a part of that system. She also worked in the Felony Division where she prosecuted first, second, and third degree felonies and gained extensive jury trial experience.
In 1998, Judge McWhorter joined the legal staff of the Dade County Police Benevolent Association where she was quickly promoted to Assistant General Counsel. She represented over 6,000 corrections and law enforcement officers in the area of labor and employment law.
In 2000, Judge McWhorter became an associate with the law firm of Clyne & Self, P.A. Clyne & Self is a commercial law firm with offices in Coral Gables and West Palm Beach. Judge McWhorter practiced in the areas of contract disputes, landlord/tenant issues, auto negligence, family law and premises liability law.
Though a busy trial lawyer, Judge McWhorter has always found time to play an active role in community and legal affairs. She is a member of the Black Lawyers Association (former President and Vice President); National Bar Association; Dade County Bar Association (Schools Committee); National Bar Association-Women Lawyers Division (former President); Florida Association of Women Lawyers (Director); Bethune Cookman College Alumni Association (former Vice President); Graduate Leadership Miami; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc (Legal Advisor, 2000 Professional Achievement Award) and MMAP Teen Court Volunteer (1999 Community Service Award).
Judge McWhorter has been appointed by several community leaders to serve on boards, including Miami-Dade County Planning and Zoning Board and the Dade County School Board's Task Force to study the feasibility of establishing a Blue Ribbon committee on Ethics, where she was elected chairperson.
Judge McWhorter received her Bachelors of Art Degree from Bethune Cookman College and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida Law School. She is a member of the Florida Bar and also admitted to practice before the Southern District Court of Florida.
Governor Jeb Bush recently appointed Judge Shirlyon J. McWhorter as a County Court Judge of Miami-Dade County on August 14, 2003. As a Judge, she will serve as a guardian of individual rights, arbitrator of fairness, and administrator of justice. In this long awaited capacity, Judge McWhorter will continue to fulfill her commitment to serve the community.
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Faye Munnings
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Faye Munnings is the Assistant Chief Financial Officer of the New World Symphony (NWS) located in Miami Beach. New World Symphony is dedicated to the artistic, personal and professional development of outstanding young musicians. The NWS fellowship program provides top graduates of music programs here and abroad the opportunity to enhance their musical education with the finest professional training. After an intensive three-year program of performance and training activity, NWS fellows emerge from the experience prepared for leadership positions in orchestras and ensembles around the world.
New World Symphony has performances at Miami Beach’s Lincoln Theater and has performed internationally in such places as England, Monaco, South America and more. When on tour, Faye Munnings serves as the orchestra’s financial representative, handling domestic and international transactions.
Faye Munnings community involvement includes serving as the Membership Director for The National Association of Black Accountants for the South Florida Chapter (NABA). In this capacity, Faye Munnings is responsible for identifying companies with minority C.P.A.’s and establishing contact within the organization to utilize NABA representation. Ms. Munnings is responsible for being a liaison between other professional organizations. In fulfilling this responsibility, Faye Munnings organized an annual event, An Evening with South Florida’s Urban Professionals. It’s a sophisticated evening of networking, and the presentation of the coveted Shaker Award presented by Millennium Movers and a concert given by members of the New World Symphony. The professional organizations involved are: The Black Association of Doctors/Physicians, Lawyers, Hotel Owners, Operators &Developers, Pilots, Psychologist, MBA’s, Bankers and the Latin Club of America and others. In 2004, a special invitation was extended to include South Florida’s sports teams, including The Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat.
Faye Munnings currently serves on the Board of The School of Health Careers, in Lauderdale Lakes Florida. The School of Health Careers is an accredited medical, dental, insurance coding and billing vocational institution. The Accrediting Commission of Careers Schools and Colleges of Technology accredit the school.
Faye Munnings served on the Board of Directors of The Fountain of Pembroke Pines as the Financial Secretary. In that capacity, Ms. Munnings was responsible for reporting to the Board income derived from donations. Also during her tenure as the Financial Secretary, Ms. Munnings was instrumental in assisting the Board with financial documents needed to lease two separate operational properties.
Faye Munnings served as The Chairman of the Board of a Not-for-Profit Organization, High Five Life Development Corporation. High Five Life Development Corporation was organized to assist HIV/AIDS patients with services available to them from Broward County. High Five Life Development Corporation also had a component of after school assistance for middle school students. High Five organized student programs that lead to student development and enrichment through drama, volunteer services and community rallies.
Faye Munnings is a self-proclaimed athlete. Faye Munnings trains five times a week at boot-camp in Weston Florida with A.I.P. Faye Munnings is also an alternate player for Weston’s women soccer league. Faye Munnings has completed three 26.2 miles marathons and plans to run more.
Faye Munnings is a believer of community unity and tries to unite groups within her scope of contacts. Ms. Munnings is a follower of the concept of “six-degrees of separation” Somebody knows somebody who can help somebody else.
Faye Munnings has volunteered her professional services for several start-up organizations in South Florida and continues to do so.
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FREDERICA S. WILSON
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Frederica Wilson was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1998. In April 2002, then Representative Wilson was appointed Democratic Leader Pro Tempore, the second highest leadership position in the Democratic Cau-
cus. She was the first African-American female selected for this position. Prior to that, she served as Chair of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators.
Election to the Florida Senate in the 33rd District was achieved in November, 2002. She was voted Vice-chair of the Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation and appointed a Democratic Whip by the Democratic leader.
Senator Wilson is, and has been, a vigilant supporter of improving public education. She fights diligently to maintain our education dollars, thereby allowing all of Florida’s children the opportunity for the best, free, quality education possible.
In an effort to reform Florida’s criminal justice system, then Representative Wilson sponsored and passed legislation to provide for HIV/AIDS testing of inmates upon release from prison and passed another bill making the rape of a prison inmate a felony and preventing the use of consensual sex as a defense of the crime. She also passed legislation allowing imprisoned mothers to serve their sentences closer to their children. In addition, as a state representative Frederica Wilson successfully lobbied to make sure that all Florida state adopted textbooks include African American and Hispanic history, the history of women, and the Holocaust.
During the 2003 Legislative Session, Senator Frederica S. Wilson passed the Rilya Wilson Act, named in honor of a child who mysteriously disappeared while under the care of the Department of Children and Families and has never been found. It also has provisions for early education and child care providers which help ensure the safety of young children in the care of the State. The Rilya Wilson Act is the first law in the nation named after an African-American child.
Prior to serving in the Florida Legislature, Senator Wilson served as a Miami-Dade County School Board member. She brought a wealth of valuable experience to this position, having served as Principal of Skyway Elementary for 12 years. She is founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project which provides role models, mentors, workshops and training for at-risk boys in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Senator Wilson is a graduate of Fisk University, earned her Masters Degree from the University of Miami and received an Honorary Doctorate from Florida Memorial College. She is Past Regional Director and a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a member of St. Agnes Episcopal Church.
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