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The 2012 Annual Corporate Meeting
and Luncheon was held on Saturday, January 28 at the Rosen
Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. This year's meeting celebrated
44 years of service to socially and economically disadvantaged
children and families throughout the State of Florida. Almost
400 Corporate partners, Board members, and guests attended
the ALPI's largest annual event. The theme for this year's
event was: "Realistic Strategies to Empower People
and Change Lives."
Mistress
of Ceremony for the luncheon this year was Queen Townsend,
Assistant Superintendent of St. Lucie County (retired).
Pictured Right: Queen Townsend (sitting) and Deloris Johnson,
ALPI Chief Executive Officer (at Podium). Presentation of
Colors was performed by the American Legion Post #201 of
Winter Haven, FL. Greetings were extended to all those gathered
by Nancy Z. Daley of Lake Alfred, FL (Mayor of the City
of Lake Alfred and ALPI Board Member) and Samuel B. Ings
of Orlando, FL (Commissioner for the City of Orlando). Words
of Inspiration were delivered by Mark Thomas of Lakeland,
FL (ALPI Board Member) followed immediately by the message
from the ALPI Board Chairperson, William Holt of Vero Beach,
FL. Terry Wellington of Avon Park, FL (ALPI Board Member)
introduced the Keynote Speaker, Richard D. Davison, Esq.
of Tallahasee, FL.
Professionally, Rick Davison has served
in various legal and administrative positions including:
Assistant State Attorney in Orlando, Staff Attorney for
the Florida House of Representatives, and Assistant Statewide
Prosecutor. Rick Davison has had the honor of having served
as the Deputy Secretary for two state executive agencies.
Currently, Rick is employed with the City of Tallahassee
as the Coordinator for the Community Connections Restorative
Justice Program.
Attorney Davison's message centered around
the concept of self-empowerment. He described a childhood
that although took place in public housing, was filled with
an optimistic hope for the future. Raised by a single, teenage
mother, the family's life was one of struggles and hardship.
Regularly working two jobs at a time, Rick's mother impressed
upon him the critical importance of having a solid work
ethic. He took on that work ethic and began working himself
as a very young boy. He worked through high school, university,
and ultimately through law school.
Rick
gave statistical information regarding many of the problems
(political, social and economic) that are currently affecting
African-Americans and Hispanics in the United States. Vulnerable
groups have struggled disproportionately more amid the weak
labor market of the past few years. The African-American
unemployment rate in December 2011 stayed well above average
with a high 15.8 percent, and the Hispanic unemployment
rate stayed high with 11 percent. The prolonged economic
slump, following an exceptionally weak labor market before
the crisis, has taken a massive toll on the most vulnerable
populations. Rick stressed that given enough persistence,
hard work, and dedication, people can rise above their circumstances
and have real hope for a better future. His own success
was not an anomaly, but rather a reality that can be attained
by anyone through focused hard work and perseverance. Rick
closed by encouraging ALPI staff to continue making a difference
in people's lives through the work everyone performs daily
to meet the needs of the communities ALPI so proudly serves.
Pictured Left: Richard D. Davison, Esq. (at Podium)
Following the Speaker, Awards and Recognitions
were bestowed by William Holt, Deloris Johnson, and Marva
Hawkins of Sanford, FL (ALPI Board Member), as follows:
CEO Recognition Award: Deloris
Johnson
The Board of Directors Chairperson Award: William
Holt
The Board Chairperson's Award: Cheryl Burnham
Robert J. Bryant, Jr. Award: Patricia Gamble and
David Walker, Esq.
Housing Board Chairperson Award: Phillip Howard
Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council Chairperson
Award: Everett Roland, Jr.
Head Start Policy Committee Award: Latisha Sparks
Community Services Award: Britt Henderson; Melton
Clarke; Larry Lee, Jr.; Sportsman's Club
Corporate Support Award: Michael J. Lannon, Superintendent
of St. Lucie County Schools
Thank You Award: Queen Townsend; Richard D. Davison,
Esq.
Certificate of Appreciation: American Legion Post
#201, Winter Haven, FL (pictured Right)
William A. Sweat, Esq. of Sweat & Reed,
PA (Lakeland, FL) performed the Board Installations and
Closing Remarks were given by William Holt.
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