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"What a prestigious event. It was absolutely beautiful from the beginning to the end. I bless God for all of your efforts and it motivated me. Be Blessed!" Cheryl Kegler, Blake High School |
Congratulations to our 2009 Unsung Heroes
Political Leadership Award ......................................
Leadership Through Education Award .....................
Lifetime Achievement Award ..................................
Local Unsung Hero Award .......................................
Volunteer Learship Award .......................................
Clergy Leadership Award ........................................
James M. Evans Humanitarian Award ....................
Organizational Impact Award .................................
Community Impact Award .....................................
Small Business Leadership Award ............................
Tribute of Hope Award ............................................
Jim Mellody Corporate Leadership Award .................
Thomas Scott
Rev. Dr. Thomas Scott was elected to the Tampa City Council representing District 5 and assumed office on April 1, 2007. He is a graduate of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida with a Degree in Criminal Justice.
Councilman Scott serves as a Board Member on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Public Transportation Commission and the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. He also serves as Chairman of the Community Redevelopment Agencies and the Public Safety Committee, Vice Chairman of the Public Works and Building, Zoning & Preservation Committees and Alternate on the Transportation Committee.
Dr. Scott was elected to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners in 1996 and served in this capacity through 2006. He served as Chairman in November 1998, 2002 and 2003. He has served on the Aviation Authority, Hillsborough County Hospital Authority, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, Florida State Fair Authority, Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority, Tourist Development Council, Emergency Policy Board and many more boards and agencies.
Rev. Dr. Scott is the Pastor of the 34th Street Church of God where he has served as Senior Pastor for 27 years. Back to top
Leadership Through Education Award
Carl Green
Carl Green was born number 7 of 10 children on December 24, 1953, on James Island, South Carolina. His parents died when he was 12 year old. He was responsible for 3 younger brothers and a sister. Poverty was all around them. They persevered.
Carl graduated high school in 1971. He attended Wilberforce University for one semester. He then decided to join the U.S. Navy in July, 1972, attending Boot camp in Orlando, Florida. After completing Boot camp, he was assigned to Radioman “A” school in Bainbridge, Maryland, where he finished in the top 5% of his class. His first duty assignment was served in Naples, Italy working for a NATO Joint Staff. He transferred to North Island, California and served onboard the USS Chicago (CG-11), USS Howard W. Gilmore Submarine Tender and the USS Orion Submarine Tender in Sardegna, Italy. He became a Radioman “A” school instructor where he was awarded Master Training Specialist.
He later transferred to the OSS New Orleans (LPD-11). He was commissioned to the rank of Ensign via the Limited Duty Officer Program as #1 of 1500 applicants, 287 were selected. He was then assigned to Fleet Training Command in San Diego, California as Security Officer, USS Okinawa Communication Officer, Naval Communication Station, San Diego Assistant Commanding Officer and Communication Officer onboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1). He retired after 24 years of service to the U.S. Navy. His military career spanned from 1972 to 1996.
Mr. Green received his Bachelors Degree from Chapman University, Orange, California in 1994, received his Masters in Education at Old Dominion in Norfolk, Virginia in 1998 and Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 2001.
He joined the educators’ team in 1997 as a Math teacher and Girl’s Basketball Coach at Robinson High School. He then became their Human Relations Specialist. He completed the Goals Program, was awarded the Ida S. Baker Award in 2001 and planned and spearheaded the Aeronautical Program while at Robinson High School. During his tenure there he completed the Mentor Protégé program.
He was promoted and assigned as Assistant Principal for Student Affairs at Riverview High School, then moved to Durant High School, serving as Assistant Principal for Administration. He then became Assistant Principal for Curriculum at Brandon High School and in 2007 was appointed the Proud Principal of George S. Middleton High School!
He is the husband of Mrs. Nadine Green, and together they are the parents of three beautiful children, and the proud grandparents of four. Back to top
Senator Bill Nelson
Perhaps the two most defining events in Bill Nelson’s life occurred in 1972 – he got married to Grace Cavert and was elected for the first time to public office. Today, over three decades later, he’s earned a reputation as a principled family man, a staunch advocate for all Floridians and a moderate voice in the increasingly partisan world of national politics.
Florida’s own Bill Nelson was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2000, after serving six years as a member of the Florida Cabinet. He currently serves on the Senate Commerce, Armed Services, Budget, Finance, Intelligence, and Aging committees and is recognized as the leading congressional expert on NASA. Back to top
Local Unsung Hero AwardLaura Biasci
Laura Biasci was born and raised in New York City where she attended Hunter College of the City University of New York (CUNY) and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Education and, later, also received a Master’s Degree in CUNY’s Teacher’s Education Program in Art Education. Certified to teach grades K-12, she taught for 10 years -- as a high school Art teacher in the NYC public school system and at a New Jersey middle school.
In 1982, she moved to Tampa, Florida where she attended the University of South Florida(USF) where she received her second bachelor’s degree cum laude from the College of Business Administration's program in the Information Technologies area.
While earning her USF business degree she also worked in Oriental Imports in Chicago. After a 2-month trip to the Orient and around the world, she began working at USF Information Technologies Division (IT) in 1990 as a programmer/analyst, data modeler, and business analyst. While at USF IT, she worked with Gail Evans(wife of TBAH founder, James Evans) who was instrumental in introducing Laura to the work of the Academy of Hope.
After almost 20 years at USF IT, Laura retired early in 2009. She hopes to focus on studying Homeopathy, becoming a Master Gardener, creating a certified backyard wildlife habitat, and supporting the much-needed programs provided to the Tampa Bay area by the Academy of Hope.
Rania Abdulla
Rania Abdulla came to the United States in 1994 to continue her education and be with the rest of her family. Attended Hillsborough Community College in 1995 and graduated with her AA degree then went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology from the University of South Florida. Rania has recently completed her Masters in Education with a focus in Measurement and Evaluation.
Rania has worked at the University of South Florida’s Department of Family Medicine working on cancer prevention and interventions for 10 years and is currently a Project Director for a research project entitled “Sun Protection for Florida’s Children.” Her professional career includes working at Moffitt Cancer Center and Life-Path Hospice. Rania has 4 publications in the cancer prevention field to add to her repertoire.
She is an active member in avariety of leadership and non-profit organizations including vice president of HCC alumni Association, Hands on Tampa nonprofit organization, Tampa Bay Academy of Hope Inc.
Outsideof professional and volunteer interests, she enjoys traveling, playing soccer, attending social events, and spending time with family and friends. Back to top
St. John's Cathedral represented by Bishop Eddie Newkirk
In the year of our Lord, Nineteen hundred and sixty-nine, out of the relaxed, sleepy tourist town of St. Petersburg, Florida emerged a young man in his early forties to cross the bay to Tampa for the sole purpose of fellowshipping with what was then St. John Missionary Baptist Church, located then at 905 Governor Street. He was accompanied by his beautiful wife, Pastor Audrey Newkirk, and five young children, Carl, Maurice, Ernest, Dwight and Luetwanda (Kay) Morgan.
Bishop was then and continues to be, a man of God devoted to ministry. He subjected himself as a son, much like Timothy had with Paul, and studied and trained under the spiritual, watchful eye of one of the greatest spiritual leaders of his time, Pastor Cecil J. Long.
Sunday, April 20, 1969 the St. John family marched from the Governor Street address to its present location at 3401 E. 25th Avenue. The Sunday following their move, their Pastor, Rev. L. I. James resigned his position. On Sunday, May 18, 1969 Bishop (Elder) Eddie Newkirk became the Pastor of St. John and has continued without interruption. St. John Missionary Baptist Church is presently know St. John Cathedral.
Bishop Newkirk is a firm believer that we are called first to salvation and then to preparation; therefore he received his formal education at Gibbs High School, Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Beacon’s College and Florida Seminary. Bishop has the assurance that all things do work together for the good of them who love God and are the called according to his purpose. He is not slack in giving thanks and praises to God for his humble beginnings and where God has brought him thus far.
Bishop Newkirk proudly served our country in WWI in the Navy. God protected him and preserved his life so that he could arm His people for spiritual battle.
Always an optimist, in 1959 He and his wife Audrey founded E & A Concrete Construction Company. Equipped with the armor of God, a sacrificial $500, and great integrity; together they built a Multi-million dollar company, which is currently in operation today.
Due to His innovative, non-conformist views of Church polity and his extensive growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, St. John has been among the first to introduce, embrace and accept many new ministries within our community. He is a visionary and has led St. John to establish the Noah Community Outreach, Inc., a ministry for homeless addicts and assist ex-prisoner’s re-transition into society. Under Bishop Newkirk’s leadership St. John continues to reach out to our community via: TV, Video, Audio, Adult and Youth Dance Ministries, as well as, Youth and Kids ministries and Free Tutorial. Back to top
James M. Evans Humanitarian Award
Russell T. Bain, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Undergraduate Education:
Pediatric Residency: Schneider Children’s Hospital,
Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics
Awards: J.C. Penney’s “Golden Rule Award”, Bay News 9’s “Everyday Hero Award”, Florida Physician of the Year 2004
Dr. Bain is a Fellow of the
Dr. Bain has specific expertise in childhood asthma and
attention deficit disorder (ADHD). As a
speaker for major pediatric Asthma and ADHD companies, Dr. Bain travels
throughout
Dr. Bain is also active in pediatric research:
- Rotovirus Vaccine (prevents vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration)
- Nasal Flu Vaccine (prevents flu in children)
- New Steroid Inhaler for Asthma Back to top
Organizational Impact AwardMichael Crabtree
Tampa Bay Buccaneers represented by Miray Holmes
Small Business Leadership Award
Menzorg represented by Emerson Tillman
Emerson Tillman
Founder, MenZorg International
President, Tillman Enterprises, Inc.,
Emerson earned his Bachelor of Science degree inNatural Health from Clayton College of Natural Health and is a Director
with Golden Neo-Life Diamite (GNLD) International. His efforts are focused in
the area of cellular nutrition. He is a member of the Coalition for Natural
Health, and he promotes a simplistic view of how the body functions in the fight
against sickness and disease.
Since 1993 Emerson been a distributor with GNLD
International and has worked extensively in the community sharing information about
the importance of whole food nutritional supplementation, and offering a
complete line of Nutritional Supplements.
In 2000 Emerson founded MenZorg International, an
organization committed to responding to the needs of an increasingly health
conscious public, with a commitment to improving the quality of people's lives
through health education, awareness and nutritional supplementation.
Bank of America represented by Mr. Bill Goede
Bill Goede, in addition to being Market President for Tampa Bay, serves as Business Banking Market Executive for the Tampa Bay / Northwest Florida region. Business Banking provides a full array of client-managed services to businesses with annual revenues in the $2.5 million to $20 million range.
Prior to coming to Tampa Bay in 2003, Bill was Business Banking Market Executive in Houston, Texas. Since joining Bank of America in 1989, he has served in several senior leadership roles across the Consumer Bank and in Business Banking.
In the Tampa Bay community, Bill serves on the board of trustees of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and on the executive committee of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of Small Business of the Year Committee of the Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Bill is a Leadership Tampa alumni, class of 2005, and chaired the Parke Wright III Leadership Award Committee.
Bill is a graduate of the University of Florida. He and his wife Lori have two sons ages 16 and 13. Back to top
Jim Mellody Corporate Leadership Award
JPMorgan represented by Luiz Lima