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Melba Pearson Application PackagePearson Melba V Last Name First Name Middle Initial 1521 Alton Road Suite 198 Miami Beach Home Address City FL 33139 State Zip Code 3053309562 HomeWork melbapearsonesq@gmail.com Email Address 3054912404 Cellular Miami Business Address Green School of International Public Affairs, 11200 SW 8th Street City Florida State 33199 Zip Code Center for the Administration of Justice at FIU Occupation:Business Name: Director of Policy & Programs Please list your preferences in order of ranking [1] first choice [2] second choice, and [3] third choice. Please note that only three (3) choices will be observed by the City Clerk’s Office. (Regular Boards of City) Choice 1: Choice 2: Choice 3: Black Affairs Advisory Committee BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPLICATION FORM Note:If applying for the At-Large position of the Historic Preservation Board, please answer the below questions: Have you ever resided in one of the City's Historic Districts for at least one year?Yes No Address in City Historic District submitted. Professional License No Professional Licenses Submitted. Note:If you are seeking appointment to a professional seat (e.g. attorney, architect, etc.), you must attach a copy of your currently effective corresponding professional license. Pursuant to City Code section 2-22(4) a, b and c: Members of Agencies, Boards, and Committees shall be affiliated with the city. This requirement shall be fulfilled in the following ways: NoResident of the City for a minimum of six (6) months: Demonstrate an ownership interest in a business established in the City for a minimum of six (6) months:Yes AFFILIATION WITH THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH a. ● I am resident of:South Beach Or b. "Ownership Interest" shall mean the ownership of ten percent (10%) or more (including the ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding capital stock) in a business. "Business" shall mean any sole proprietorship, sponsorship, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity or business association. c.Full-time employee of such a business (for a minimum of six months); and I am based in an office or other location of the business that is physically located in Miami Beach (for a minimum of six months):No Notwithstanding the requirements set forth herein, the qualified full-time employee of a business must be approved by a 4/7th vote of the Mayor and City Commission. NOTE: Members of Agencies, Boards, and Committees shall be required to demonstrate compliance with the City affiliation requirements of section 2-22 (4) a and b of the Miami Beach City Code by executing an affidavit, stipulating that they have met either (or both) of said affiliation requirements. The original affidavit shall be filled with the Office of the City Clerk prior to being sworn in as a member. Or No● Have you ever been convicted of a felony:If yes, please explain in detail: ● Do you currently have a violation(s) of City of Miami Beach codes:No If yes, please explain in detail: ● Do you currently owe the City of Miami Beach any money:No If yes, please explain in detail: ● Are you currently serving on any City Boards or Committees:No If yes, which board? ● Are you presently a registered lobbyist with the City of Miami Beach?No ● I am applying for an appointment because I have special abilities, knowledge and experience. Please list below: I have been an attorney for 20 years, and a Miami Beach resident for 25 years. I served as a prosecutor in Miami Dade County, Deputy Director of the ACLU of Florida, and have a law firm headquartered on Miami Beach. NOTE: IF APPOINTED, YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW CERTAIN LAWS THAT APPLY TO CITY BOARD/COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THESE LAWS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: o Prohibition from directly or indirectly lobbying city personnel (Miami Beach City Code section 2-459). o Prohibition from contracting with the city (Miami-Dade County Code section 2-11.1). o Prohibition from lobbying before board/committee you have served on for period of one year after leaving office (Miami Beach Code section 2-26) o Requirement to disclose certain financial interests and gifts (Miami-Dade County Code section 2-11.1). o Sunshine Law - Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law was enacted in 1967. Today, the Sunshine Law regarding open government can be found in Chapter 286 of the Florida Statutes. These statutes establish a basic right of access to most meetings of Boards, Commissions, and other governing bodies of state and local governmental agencies or authorities. o Voting conflict - Form 8B is for use by any person serving at the county, city, or other local level of government on an appointed or elected Board, Council, Commission, Authority, or Committee. It applies equality to members of advisory and non-advisory bodies who are presented with a voting conflict of interest under Section 112.3143. Florida Statutes. ● In what organization(s) in the City of Miami Beach do you currently hold membership in? No Organization Information Submitted. ● List the address of all properties owned or in which you have an interest within the City of Miami Beach: No Owned Property Information submitted. If so, which department and title?No● Are you now employed by the City of Miami Beach: ● Pursuant to City Code Section 2-25 (b): Do you have a parent, spouse, child, brother, or sister who is employed by the City of Miami Beach?No If "Yes", identify person(s) and department(s): No relative's information submitted. BOARD & COMMITTEE FINANCIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT Acknowledgement of fines/suspension for Board/Committee Members for failure to comply with Miami-Dade County Financial Disclosure Code Section 2-11.1(i)(2) I understand that no later than July 1, of each year all members of Boards and Committees of the City of Miami Beach, including those of a purely advisory nature, are required to comply with Miami-Dade County Financial Disclosure Requirements. One of the following forms must be filled with the City Clerk of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida, no later than 12:00 noon of July 1, of each year: 1. A "Source of Income Statement;" or 2. A "Statement of Financial Interests (Form 1)¹ ;" or 3. A Copy of your latest Federal Income Tax Return. Failure to file one of these forms, pursuant to the Miami-Dade County Code, may subject the person to a fine of no more than $500, 60 days in jail, or both. _____________________________ ¹ Members of the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment will be notified directly by the State of Florida, pursuant to F.S. §112.3145(1)(a), to file a Statement of Financial Interests (Form 1) with the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections by 12:00 noon, July 1. Planning Board and Board of Adjustment members who file their Form 1 with the County Supervisor of Elections automatically satisfy the County’s financial disclosure requirement as a Miami Beach City Board/Committee member and need not file an additional form with the Office of the City Clerk. However, compliance with the County disclosure requirement does not satisfy the State requirement. DIVERSITY STATISTICS REPORT The following information is voluntary and has no bearing on your consideration for appointment. It is being asked to comply with City diversity reporting requirements. African-American/BlackRace/Ethnic Categories What is your race? No details providedOther Description: Gender:Female Are you Spanish/Hispanic/ Latino? Mark the "No" box if not Spanish / Hispanic / Latino.No Physically Challenged:No I HEREBY ATTEST TO THE ACCURACY AND TRUTHFULNESS OF THE APPLICATION; AND I HAVE RECEIVED, READ AND WILL ABIDE BY CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE VII, OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED “STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR CITY OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENCY MEMBERS AND ALL OTHER APPLICABLE COUNTY AND/OR STATE LAWS AND STATUTES ACCORDINGLY.” I Melba Pearson agreed to the following terms on 12/6/2021 6:47:13 PM Received in the City Clerk's Office by: Name of Deputy Clerk Control No. Date Board and Committee Application Checklist: Please ensure you have provided all information before applying or reapplying to any Board and Committee. YES YES YES YES I have answered all questions fully. I have uploaded a current resume, photograph, and a copy of any applicable professional license. I have completed and attached the Board & Committee Financial Acknowledgment Statement. I have completed and attached the Diversity Statistics Report. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the City Clerk via email: BC@miamibeachfl.gov or telephone: 305.673.7411 Note: Florida Statutes 119.071: The role of the Office of the City Clerk is to receive and maintain forms filed as public records. If your home address, telephone numbers, and/or photograph are exempt from disclosure and you do not wish your home address, telephone numbers, and/or photograph to be made public, please: 1) Use your office or other address for your mailing address; 2) Use your office or other telephone number for your contact number; and 3) Do not attach a photograph. Melba V. Pearson, Esq Curriculum Vitae Florida International University Office: Modesto A. Maidique Campus, MARC-270 305.491.2404 mpearson@fiu.edu BACKGROUND • SPECIALIZATION • BIOGRAPHY Prosecutorial Offices' Efficiency | Civil Rights | Criminal Law | Domestic Violence | Criminal Justice Reform | Community Engagement Civil rights and criminal law attorney currently serving as Director of Policy + Programs at the Center for the Administration of Justice. • Co-Manager of MacArthur Foundation-funded Prosecutorial Performance Indicators' (PPI) project, focusing on prosecutorial research and reform initiatives, overseeing technical assistance, training, and community engagement efforts. In 2020, I was the progressive candidate for Miami-Dade State Attorney, garnering close to 154,000 votes as a first-time candidate from across party lines. Before joining FIU, I served as the Deputy Director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida from 2017 to 2019. • Part of the leadership team that helped pass Amendment 4 in 2018—the historic voting rights amendment which re-enfranchised people with felony convictions in Florida—working heavily on; criminal justice reform legislation, policing, and expanding voting rights. Prior to the ACLU, I was an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County for 16 years. • After prosecuting various crimes, joined the Domestic Crimes Unit, focusing on serious domestic violence crimes and homicides for close to four years. • Integral to the re-launch of the Community Prosecution Unit, partnering with the community to find creative solutions to prevent crime and provide outreach. While as the Assistant Chief in the Career Criminal/Robbery Unit, I supervised junior attorneys while prosecuting homicides. As a nationally recognized expert on prosecutorial reform with over 20 years of experience as a senior prosecutor, I'm a seasoned public speaker at corporate, industry, and academic events. • Hosted and moderated panels for the American Bar Association, the National Black Prosecutors Association, the (Miami) Dade County Bar Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys. My analysis and commentary has been featured on Al-Jazeera, the BBC, CNN and NPR, as well as in The New York Times,The Miami Times, The Baltimore Sun, Essence Magazine, The Huffington Post, The Miami Herald, and Ebony Magazine. AWARDS & NOTABLES American Bar Foundation, Florida Fellow • Miami-Dade Bar David Dyer Professionalism Award, October 2021 • Women's History Coalition of Miami, Women of Impact, 2020 • 2020 Legal Elite Attorney, Florida Trend, 2020 2 • Miami Dade School Board, Proclamation for work in Advocacy, 2019 • American Bar Association, "2018's 8 Members Who Inspire" • American Inns of Court, Women of Distinction for 10-30 years of Practice, 2018 • Legacy's Top 25 Black Women in Business & Industry, 2017 • League of Women Voters, 2017 “Women that Shine" EDUCATION 1997:Juris Doctor, Hofstra University (now Maurice Dean) School of Law, Hempstead, NY 1994:Bachelor of Arts in Metropolitan Studies, Minor in Political Science, New York University, New York, NY Admitted to practice law in Florida and the District of Columbia WORK EXPERIENCE & FUNDRAISING HISTORY DIRECTOR OF POLICY & PROGRAMS, Florida International University, Miami, FL OCTOBER 2020 - PRESENT •Co-manager at FIU Center for the Administration of Justice,MacArthur Foundation funded project promoting the use of data in prosecution [$3.7million] •Provide technical assistance to partner prosecutors’offices in the areas of communications, community engagement,training and developing new policies addressing racial disparities.• Creating new strategic partnerships nationally and globally with chief prosecutors.•Develop new programs to further the goal of racial justice and equality in the field of prosecution.Identify,pursue and solidify relationships with funders for new/existing projects.•Manage communications strategy; draft op-eds promoting data and transparency in prosecution •Co-manager of Charles &Lyn Schusterman Foundation grant for community engagement around prosecution, data and transparency [$750,000] PRESIDENT, MVP Law, LLC, Miami, FL DECEMBER 2019 - PRESENT • Serve as a policy advisor on criminal justice policy to nonprofits, legislators and progressive groups. •Provide subject matter expertise,training,mentoring and targeted assistance on criminal justice reform campaigns on a consultancy basis.•Analyze and prepare issue memos,briefs,and reports on pending state and federal criminal justice legislation Evaluate current criminal justice programs and strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.•January -August 2020 -candidate for the political office of Miami-Dade County State Attorney,garnering close to 155,000 votes as first time progressive candidate. DEPUTY DIRECTOR, American Civil Liberties Union of Florida FEBRUARY 2017 - DECEMBER 2019 • Responsible for daily operations of one of the largest ACLU affiliates [$5.5 million budget.] •Supervised staff of over 30 employees in 4 offices and remote locations across the state.•Set 3 program priorities,strategy for breaking issues,and organizational budget in collaboration with senior staff.•Fostered collaborative relationships with the community,allies,donors,chapters and Board of Directors.•Served as spokesperson on a variety of civil rights/liberties issues;advocated for priority bills during legislative session in Tallahassee.•Drafted op-eds to educate the public on ACLU of Florida initiatives.•Spearheaded creative programs to raise awareness and attract a new generation of civil libertarians.•Managed human resources –recruitment,hiring,onboarding,offboarding and professional development of staff via training and retreats;diversity and inclusion;performance review process;personnel issues.•Served as Interim Executive Director December 2018;Interim Legal Director January - April 2019. ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY,Miami -Dade County State Attorney’s Office, Miami, FL SEPTEMBER 2002 - FEBRUARY 2017 ASSISTANT CHIEF, Career Criminal/Robbery Unit AUGUST 2009 - FEBRUARY 2017 •Supervised career criminal prosecutions handled in seven felony divisions (20+attorneys).• Managed and litigated an active caseload,including violent felonies,homicides.•Reviewed all cases to assess qualifications of defendants under Florida career criminal statutes.•Advised police officers during proactive investigations,including drafting of search/arrest warrants.• Interviewed and recruited new prosecutors throughout the country. COMMUNITY PROSECUTOR, Community Prosecution Unit APRIL 2007- AUGUST 2009 ▪Instrumental in the expansion of the Community Prosecution Unit,which uses innovative programs to prevent or reduce crime. ▪Performed site inspections in New York and Washington D.C.to determine best practices ▪Cultivated/improved relationships between community leaders,clergy,law enforcement, and State Attorney’s Office. ▪Created key targeted events with the use of sponsors to highlight the State Attorney’s Office in the social arena. ▪Motivational speaker at various Dade County schools on law,career options,building self esteem. PROSECUTOR, Domestic Crimes Specialized Felony Unit JUNE 2004 – APRIL 2007 ▪Litigated complex domestic crimes including homicides,sexual batteries,other violent crimes ▪Trained police departments,attorneys,support staff,community groups on domestic violence investigation, prosecution and prevention ▪ Supervised/approved domestic violence prosecutions handled in the felony divisions PROSECUTOR, Misdemeanor and Felony Divisions SEPTEMBER 2002 – JUNE 2004 ▪Conducted all aspects of criminal trials as lead counsel,for misdemeanors,juvenile cases,felonies ▪Negotiated plea agreements and intervention resolutions with defense attorneys ▪Worked extensively with victims,witnesses,members of law enforcement,government agencies TEACHING EXPERIENCE Bryant and Stratton College Orchard Park, NY Adjunct Faculty January 2010 – present University of Phoenix Phoenix, AZ Adjunct Faculty January 2010 – present Florida International University, Senior Fellow/Faculty October 2020 - present 4 Instructor for online undergraduate, masters and paralegal programs Courses taught: ●Legal Writing,Criminal Law,Criminal Procedure,Ethics in Criminal Justice,Torts,Domestic Relations, Law Office Management & Technology, and Ethics in Security ● Redesigned courses to reflect changes in the legal arena NEWS COVERAGE & PR (SELECTION) Publications Manhattan district attorney to release years of racial data as part of nationwide accountability push (March 18, 2021)The Washington Post. Meet Melba Pearson, the Miami Lawyer Who Challenged a 27-Year State Attorney (January 04, 2021)TheLaw.com. Pearson Wants to Bring Reform to the Miami State Office (2020)Legacy Miami. 2020 Could be a History-Making Year for the Black Community – Will You Be Taking Part? (June 09, 2020)The Florida Star / The Georgia Star Bar association mounts campaign to remove judge after racial slur" (May 30, 2018)Miami Times. Killings of Blacks by Whites Are Far More Likely to Be Ruled 'Justifiable, (August 17, 2018)New York Times. A Study Documents the Paucity of Black Elected Prosecutors: Zero in Most States (2015)New York Times. Hiring black prosecutors won’t fix the criminal justice system (July 31, 2015)Al Jazeera. Broadcast Non-partisan Education Documentary, Kodak Black & Sniper Gang Apparel presents,Last Day In, April 23, 2021 Discovery ID,“Chaos in the Court”Aired October 7,2020 CNN,Special Report -1.5 million ex-felons register to vote,January 2020 Al-Jazeera, January 2020 The Law & Crime Network,Law & Crime with Jesse Weber,Nov 5, 2019 NBC 6 South Florida,Special Report - Eyes on the Street: Miami Police Cameras Raising Privacy Concerns, ACLU Deputy Director,Sep 12, 2018 WPLG Local 10 (ABC),This Week in South Florida: Roundtable,2017 -2020 C-SPAN,Attorney General Loretta Lynch receives President’s Award of Excellence from the National Black Prosecutors Association ,Washington,D.C., July 22, 2015 5 theLaw.tv,Racial Discrimination, 2014 A&E Networks, AMC Networks,Women Behind Bars.Aired,23 June 2009 Radio WLRN 91.3 FM,News:Opponents Fear Florida Bill Designed To Instill Fear In Protesters and Organizers.February 9, 2021 90.7 WMFE Orlando,Intersection:Ayala Vs. Scott,deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.May 12, 2017 BBC World News, Podcast,Have Your Say,Solving Gender Equality,22 Jan 2016 Red Circle, Podcast,Criminal (In)justice, Episode 3, Implicit Racial Bias in Everyday Policing, April 12, 2016 NPR,All Things Considered, A Glimpse Inside The Bid To Reduce The U.S. Incarceration Rate, October 25, 2015 PUBLISHED WORKS (SELECTION) Pearson, Melba, "Seeking Racial Justice Through Data in 2021 and Beyond."Federal Sentencing Reporter, April 2021 Pearson, Melba, "Data as a Tool for Racial Justice."ABA Criminal Justice Magazine, Spring 2021 Pearson, Melba, ed (in press). "Can They Do That? Understanding Prosecutorial Discretion,"ABA Publishing 2020. Pearson, Melba, Op-Ed, "We’ve won a battle but not the war."Miamitimesonline.com, April 2021 Pearson, Melba, Op-Ed, "HB 1 erects hurdles to free speech in Florida, but with bold action, they can be dismantled."Miamiheraldonline, April 2021 Pearson, Melba, Op-Ed, "The coronation of 'Hollywood Acevedo."biscaynetimes.com,March 2021 Pearson, Melba, Op-Ed, "Unless rogue officers are punished, there can be no true police reform in Florida."Miamiheraldonline March 2021 Pearson, Melba, Op-Ed, "Who Can Protest in Miami-Dade?."biscaynetimes.com,February 2021 Pearson, Melba, Op-Ed, New anti-protest bill is an attack on free speech."miamitimesonline.com, January 2021 Pearson, Melba, Richardson, Rebecca, & Kutateladze, Besiki “When Florida prosecutors rely on data, criminal justice can be more transparent and equitable”Miami Herald, December 2020 6 Pearson, Melba, & Capo Jr., Julio “What modern voter suppression looks like in Florida.”The Washington Post, November 2020 Pearson, Melba, Op-Ed, "RBG’s legacy for women of color."The Miami Times,September 2020 Pearson, Melba, "Frank discussions of race and racism, can't be relegated to Black History Month." The Miami Herald,February 2019 Pearson, Melba, "More Women Of Color Are Getting Elected As District Attorneys, But Can They Stay There?."Essence,June 2019 Pearson, Melba, Deputy Director for the ACLU of Florida, "Kim Foxx Was Not Wrong: The Lonely Road Of An Elected Prosecutor Of Color."Blavity.com,April 2019 Pearson, Melba, Deputy Director of the ACLU of Florida, "You can be pro-black and a prosecutor." The Root,February 11, 2019 Pearson, Melba, "Vote no on Amendment 6: No solutions for victims of serious crimes."The Orlando Sentinel, October 03, 2018 Pearson, Melba, Deputy Director for the ACLU of Florida, "#MeToo Is Not Just Hollywood's Problem"Blavity.com, October 27 2017 Pearson, Melba,"A Legacy of Protest: From MLK to the Women's March."The Hill, January 2017 Pearson, Melba,"My Life as a Black Prosecutor,"The Marshall Project in Collaboration with Vice,2016 Pearson, Melba, "We Can Create a Smarter Criminal-Justice System,"Miami Herald,January 2016 Pearson, Melba, “The Jordan Davis Case: A Prosecutor ’s Point of View”Essence.com,February 2014 Pearson, Melba, “Can We Legally Fight Ignorance?”Local10.com (ABC Affiliate),April 2014 Pearson, Melba “ Shopping While Black: What To Do If It Happens To You”Essence.com,November 2013 Pearson, Melba, “ The Continuing Legal Woes of George Zimmerman”ClickOrlando.com,November 2013 Pearson, Melba, “Richie Incognito: Hazing, Bullying or Hate Crime?”WXII Winston Salem, NC, November 2013 Pearson, Melba, “Whistle-Blowing vs. Hacking: Where is the Line?”Houston Chronicle, August 2013 CONFERENCE AND PRESENTATIONS 2021: Axon Technologies, “Racial Justice Panel” November 2021: Florida Memorial University and South Florida People of Color March 27 (virtual) Panel 7 Discussion on the book “White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide” 2021: Ladies Empowerment and Action Program March 11 (virtual) "A Fireside Chat on Needed Criminal Justice Reform" 2021: American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section, February 18 (virtual) "Data and Racial Justice: Using Data to Drive Change" 2021: Cannabiziac University, February 17 (virtual) "Civil Rights and Criminal Law, with an emphasis on Cannabis Policy" 2021: Northside Coalition, February 16 (virtual) "Policing the Black Community" 2021: Catalyst Miami, February 4 (virtual) "Reimagining Public Safety" 2020: Women’s March, "The Bill that Kills" 2020: American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section, and Families Against Minimum Mandatories "Vanishing Trials" 2020:16th Annual National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law Fair, "Black Lawyers for Black People: How Black Lawyers Can Use Their Legal Training To Uplift the Black Community" 2020: American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, "The Future of Policing: Ending Police Violence and the issue of Qualified Immunity" 2019: Attorney General Alliance Africa Alliance in Partnership with the United Nations, "Best Practices in Ending Gender Based Violence" November 18 - 22, Johannesburg, South Africa 2019: National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. Welcome Speech, Tampa, FL 2017: National Bar Association Judicial Section Toronto, Canada "Combating Implicit Bia" 2015:National Black Prosecutors Association Washington,DC,keynote speech,President’s Award of Excellence Lynch, Loretta (Attorney General) 2010: Hofstra University School of Law Hempstead, NY,"Becoming a Diverse Attorney" 2009: National Intelligence Academy Melbourne, FL “Court and The Female Undercover Officer” 2008: Association of Healthcare Journalists Columbia, MO Elder Abuse panelist 2008: Barry University School of Social Work Miami, FL "Suffering in Silence: The Hidden Crisis of Elder Abuse" 2007: National International Crime Summit “Community Prosecution” panelist National District Attorney’s Association: 2010: "Building and Presenting a Domestic Violence Case" New Orleans, LA 2010: "Pretrial Preparation; Jury Selection, Developing a Case Theory" National Advocacy Center Columbia, SC 8 2009: Protecting the Victim's Character: Vertical vs. Horizontal Prosecution San Diego, CA 2009: "Hitting the Mark: Target Gang and Gun Violence the Nuts and Bolts of Gang Prosecution" Fulton County District Attorney’s Office Atlanta, GA 2009: 19th Annual National Multidisciplinary Conference on Domestic Violence Domestic Violence panelist, San Antonio, TX Miami Dade Police Department ● Police Academy – Basic Law Enforcement -- Court Process ● Commencement speech BLE Class #108 ● Domestic Violence Training ● Evidence Collection Techniques SERVICE & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT American Bar Association, Co-Chair, Prosecution Function Committee 2015 – present; Vice Chair, Criminal Justice Section 2021 - present; Center for Innovation, Governing Council 2017 - 2020 National Black Prosecutors Association , President 2014 –16; Foundation President 2018-2022 Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association (South Florida), President 2018-19 Sankofa Sistas Giving Circle, Co-Founder/Mentor 2018 - present Florida Justice Center, Vice Chair 2021 - present PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP National Black Prosecutors Association American Bar Association (ABA); ABA Foundation Fellow Florida Association of Women Lawyers Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association Florida Bar District of Columbia Bar National Organization of Law Enforcement Executives