50 More Years … The Journey Continues … Helping People

50 More Years … The Journey Continues … Helping People

50 More Years … The Journey Continues …
Helping People, Changing Lives
“Success Strategist” Jonathan Edison is one of the most compelling thought leaders and Motivational Business
Speakers today. As an expert in human development, he delivers strategies, methods and tools filled with insight
and humor that consistently move people and organizations to their highest potential. His personal motto is
“Results don’t lie, people do!” Growing up in an environment that was a prescription for failure, young John
John—his grandmother’s affectionate nickname for him—faced many hardships. After exposing him to drugs and
violence, his mother was removed from the household by the Department of Social Services when he was five
years old. Two years later, Jonathan’s father left to start a new family on another side of town. Then, his
grandmother Cloraine who took on the challenge of raising him, died of cancer when he was 14.
Now homeless, Jonathan was forced to take up residence in his aunt’s basement. To afford the $50.00 a month
in rent and his portion of the electric bill, he worked a full-time job as a dishwasher/bus boy at Chili’s Grill and
Bar in the evenings and on weekends. He graduated from high school with a 1.63 grade point average and
completed his first year of college with a 0.62 GPA before dropping out completely.
Instead of becoming another statistic, Jonathan found the courage he needed within himself to rise above
adversity. He enrolled in remedial classes at Wayne County Community College. In 1993, Jonathan graduated
with an associate’s degree as a part of the Urban Teacher Program. In 1995 Jonathan continued his education at
Wayne State University, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. During college, Jonathan worked as a
bus attendant, waiter and gas station attendant and often slept in his car so that he could hold down his jobs and
attend classes.
After teaching for four years, at age 27 Jonathan became the youngest assistant principal in the history of Detroit
Public Schools. In 2002, he was named Wayne County Spokesman for Success. Then, along with hundreds of
other dedicated educators, Jonathan was fired. With no savings, clients or plan, in 2004 he launched Edison
Speaks International, a motivational and training development company. Since then Jonathan has shared his
“Strategies for Success” with over 500,000 people, authored four books and has spoken in over 40 states.
Jonathan’s Fortune 500 clients include: CVS Pharmacy, Daimler Chrysler, FBI, Folgers Coffee, General Motors,
Hewlett Packard, McDonald’s and State Farm Insurance.
Presentation of Colors ................................................................................American Legion Post #201, Winter Haven, FL
Musical Selection ...................................................................................................................Stanley Jones, Jr., Bartow, FL
Welcome and Occasion............................................................................................... Alexis Echeverria, Winter Haven, FL
ALPI Board Member
Polk Works, Project Manager
Greetings................................................................................................................................ Reginald McGill, Orlando, FL
Assistant to the Mayor of the City of Orlando, FL
Words of Inspiration ................................................................................................... Rev. Vernon McQueen, Sanford, FL
ALPI Board Member
Duke Energy, Florida, Senior DMS Specialist
Message from the Chairperson.............................................................................................. William Holt, Vero Beach, FL
ALPI Board Chairperson
Eastern Region Advisory Council
Musical Selection ...................................................................................................................Stanley Jones, Jr., Bartow, FL
Introduction of Keynote Speaker .............................................................................................. Dorothy Curry, Sanford, FL
ALPI Board Member
Office of Commissioner Velma Williams, Representative
Keynote Speaker .................................................................................................... Jonathan Edison, M.Ed., Northville, MI
Edison Speaks International, President
LUNCH
Recognition of Guests ....................................................................................... Commissioner Janet Taylor, Clewiston, FL
ALPI Board Member
Hendry County Board of County Commissioners, Representative
ALPI Board Leadership & Community Services Awards ........................................................ Deloris Johnson, Lakeland, FL
ALPI Chief Executive Officer
ALPI Board Governance Support & Leadership Awards ......................................................... William Holt, Vero Beach, FL
ALPI Board Chairperson
Eastern Region Advisory Council
Program Participants’ Acknowledgements ....................................................................... Marjorie Gaskin, Fort Pierce, FL
ALPI Board Member
Office of Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Representative
Board Installations ....................................................................................................... Jonathan Thiele, Esq., Lakeland, FL
ALPI Board Member, Legal Counselor
Law Office of Jonathan Thiele, Esq., President
Closing Remarks ..................................................................................................................... William Holt, Vero Beach, FL
ALPI Board Chairperson
Eastern Region Advisory Council
Deloris Johnson, Lakeland, FL
ALPI Chief Executive Officer
ALPI AWARDS INFORMATION
Every year the Agricultural and Labor Program, Inc., extends recognition and appreciation to its Governance Leadership, Shared
Governance Leadership, Community Organizations, Corporate Partners and Agency Leadership who contributed to advance the
ALPI’s vision and mission to help socially and economically disadvantaged families, children and farmworkers help themselves and
each other. Thus, it is with great pride that we present the following 2015 Awards and Recognitions.
GOVERNANCE LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
This award is presented annually to the ALPI’s Board Chairperson, Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council Chairperson and the
ALPI Housing Development Corporation Board Chairperson in recognition of significant contributions and exemplary Governance
Leadership to advance the ALPI vision and mission to help socially, and economically disadvantaged families, children and farmworkers help themselves and each other.
Board & Shared Governance Leadership Awards
ALPI Board of Directors Chairperson’s Award Recipient: William Holt
Head Start Policy Council Chairperson’s Award Recipient: Tawana Barnes
ALPI Housing Development Corporation Board Chairperson’s Award Recipient: Phillip Howard
Community Services Awards
In recognition to a community individual for outstanding service in the community. This recognition award is a selection from ALPI
geographic service areas and may be submitted by Regional Advisory Councils, Policy Council, Policy Committee and Division/
Department Directors.
2015 Community Services Award Recipients
BETTY BRADWELL (Eastern Region)
ANTHONY GORDON (Central Region)
Betty Bradwell is a life-long volunteer who believes in doing
for others. Her vast community involvement includes:
Guardian Ad Litem Program, St. Lucie HIV & AIDS group,
Co-Chair of Disaster Team, Head Cook for St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church Feeding Program, Shelter Supervisor for
Red Cross, St Lucie County Mobilization Team, United Way
School Supplies Program, Board Member of American Cancer
Society, Kids at Hope Program, Committee Member of Parents of Murdered Children, Official National Night Out for
Saint Lucie County, and the ALPI Eastern Region Advisory
Council. Ms. Bradwell loves working in her community and
church and only regrets that there isn’t enough time to do
even more for others.
Anthony Gordon was born and raised in Avon Park, Florida.
After retiring from professional baseball in 1996, he began
working at a local Ford dealership in Avon Park, Florida with
hopes of becoming a Ford Dealer. Today he owns Jarrett
Gordon Ford in Davenport, FL and the Jarrett Gordon Ford
Lincoln in Winter Haven, FL. He is a strong supporter of
his community and strongly believes in serving others and
generously giving back.
AL J. HINSON (Southern Region)
ALGERINE MILLER (Northern Region)
Al J. Hinson is a retired educator who has dedicated himself
to the service of others and his community. His community
involvement is far-reaching and includes: City Councilman,
Avon Park, Florida, Past Board Member – ALPI; Board Member - Noon Rotary ( Avon Park, FL), President of Highlands
County NAACP, Board member - Nu Hope, President of South
Avon Park Little League, Sponsor of Avon Park “Dress for
Success Program”, and, Candidate for Highlands County
School Board District #1.
Algerine Miller retired June 30, 2004 and has continued
to provide services and assistance in many ways to
the Goldsboro/Sanford area. As a volunteer in different
capacities, she has made significant contributions and works
tirelessly in whatever way necessary. Her contributions are
numerous, and include: volunteer at the Lockhart Community Organization, first black Guardian At Litem, worked with
Habitat Homes; member of the Central Affordable Housing
Program and the Crooms Alumni Association.
Corporate Support Award
An annual award presented to a Corporate Organization or individual of a corporation for outstanding service rendered to the ALPI
organization.
2015 Corporate Support Award Recipient: The United States Attorneys Office - Southern District of Florida
ALPI partnered with the US State Attorney’s Office “Violence Reduction Partnership Pre-K Reading Program”
which was a key component of a prevention strategy in St. Lucie County. The Pre-K Reading Program’s goal
was to increase children's appetite for reading before they enter elementary school, thereby reducing their
risk of early academic failure. Members of the US State Attorney’s Office visited ALPI children in order to
personally read to them. At the conclusion of each reading session, every child was given a book of his/her
own to read at home and to start his/her own home library . The mission of the United States Attorney's
Office, Southern District of Florida, is to enforce and defend the laws of the United States of America.
GOVERNANCE SUPPORT
Board Chairperson’s Award
An annual award presented by the ALPI Board of Directors Chairperson to an individual for outstanding service beyond expectations
to the organization.
Robert J. Bryant Jr. Award
An annual award presented to an ALPI Board Member by his/her peers for outstanding services beyond expectations. This award is
presented in the name of the late Robert J. Bryant, Jr., in honor of his outstanding service to ALPI beyond expectation while serving
as a Board Member and Chairperson of ALPI Board of Directors.
Chief Executive Officer’s Award
The award in this category presented to ALPI’s Chief Executive Officer in recognition of significant Agency’s Management
Accomplishments and Governance Leadership support rendered to advance the ALPI’s vision and mission of helping socially, and
economically disadvantaged families, children and farmworkers help themselves and each other.
Board Chairperson’s Award Recipient: TBA
Robert J. Bryant, Jr. Award Recipient: TBA
Chief Executive Officer Award Recipient: Deloris Johnson
Notes
Notes
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE FUNDED IN PART BY:
DHHS/ACF Head Start-Early Head Start, USDA, Florida Department of Education, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, United Way Saint Lucie County, United Way Central Florida, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Children’s Services Council of Saint Lucie County, City of Ft.
Pierce, Saint Lucie County, Department of Education (Adult Migrant Division), Florida Department of Health, Early Learning Ed ucation of Polk County, Florida Non-Profit Housing,
Inc., Saint Lucie County School Board, and Early Learning Coalition of Saint Lucie County, Inc.