Excitement and Gratitude

In Pictures: A Remarkable Day (1/17/25)

What an unforgettable day! It began with the honor of driving a living treasure, 88-year-old historian Dr. Mercy Moore, to an event where the legendary Eugene Pettis, Esq., was recognized by YMCA South Florida for his extraordinary community work—modern-day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. vibes. I was already inspired, but I was completely blown away when Mr. Pettis acknowledged me in his speech.

The day only got better! I had the privilege of witnessing one of our own students, Layla Johnson from McArthur High School, receive the Youth Leadership Award and a $2,000 check for her achievements.

Next, I joined another legendary figure, Dr. Valerie Wanza, who leads boldly on their behalf, to attend the aviation graduation at the Opa-locka Airport. The event celebrated young graduates of the Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS), a program started by Captain Barrington Irving, one of the youngest pilots to fly around the world. His work is amazing.

From there, I made my way to one of our schools, where 60 families received over $400 worth of groceries, thanks to a partnership between the Jack Brewer Foundation and Broward County Public Schools. Pine Ridge Education Center’s principal, Dr. Henry Brown, helped make this possible.

The day concluded with an incredible evening in the City of Hollywood - 50-year kickoff celebration Hollywood Center for the Arts where my employer of 32 years (Broward County Public Schools) was presented the Education Partner Award. Our Superintendent, Dr. Howard Hepburn, accepted the award with a heartfelt speech that resonated with everyone present and underscored the love of art in education.

As if the day wasn’t already eventful, it also happened to be the birthdays of my son’s mom, my ex and her son, Michelle Obama, and Dwyane Wade!

I am deeply grateful to God for a day so full of inspiration, joy, and impact. Just… wow!