Legacy 2018 Miami: Power Issue | Page 5

MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018 AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD SPECIAL AWARDS Legacy Miami Salutes 2018 Class of Powerful and Influential Business Leaders Honor. Service. Esteem. These are just three of the qualities that emanate from this year’s class of Miami’s “50 Most Powerful and Influential Black Business Leaders.” These honorees are not only great because of their personal achievements, they are great because of their contributions to South Florida’s civic and corporate communities. Legacy is saluting its special award honorees and the Miami and South Florida classes of powerful and influential business leaders at an awards gala scheduled for June 2, from 7 p.m. until midnight. Educator of the Year: Trailblazer of the Year: The Honorable Steve Gallon III, Ed.D. The Honorable Andreana Jackson North Bay Village Vice Mayor Andreana Jackson arrived in South Florida in 2009 and has taken the region by storm. Since then, the Kansas-native has earned a master’s degree in Organizational Learning and Leadership from Barry University, worked as a civilian contractor with the U.S. Army, and started a burgeoning luxury real estate career. The North Bay Village Commission appointed Jackson to serve a vacated commission seat in 2015. She won a full term the next year. In regard to being labeled a trailblazer, Jackson said, “It only means something if it enables you to help others breakthrough as well.” Community Citizenship Award: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County Corporate Citizenship Award: Located in downtown Miami, The Arsht Center is a premiere global humanitarian venue. Suzette Espinosa, vice president of Communication, said, “The Arsht Center belongs to this community. Community citizenship is about acknowledging the needs of the people in our neighborhoods and creating opportunities to improve each other’s lives.” Each year, the center offers more than 100 culturally inclusive events serving 40,000 people of all ages. Espino- sa shared, “We present a wide variety of artists on our stages. Free programs, such as free Family Fest and Free Gospel Sundays, are opportunities to decrease barriers to enjoying the live performing arts at the Arsht Center.” Knight Foundation invests in journalism, the arts, and in the success of 26 cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Andrew Sherry, Knight Foundation’s vice president of Communication, explained, “Our approach is to listen first to what a community wants to do to build its future. In Miami, where our headquarters is located, that means supporting the tech startup ecosystem and the arts, both in inclusive ways so they not only flourish but are as diverse as the city itself.” The Miami program director is Raul Moas and the Arts program director is Adam Ganuza. Business Person of the Year: Corporate Executive of the Year: Connie Kinnard Business of the Year: Andrea Trowers, M.D. In the medical practice of Andrea Trowers, M.D., patients are the priority and dermatology is dharma. The board certified dermatologist declared, “I believe in Dharma, which means that you want to find the one thing that you enjoy doing so much that you lose track of time. The earlier you find your dharma the earlier you can find that fulfillment in your work life. That spills over to your private life as well.” Dr. Trowers and her team deliver turnkey co smetic and medical dermato- logical solutions. Her golden rule-based business philosophy is grounded in consideration and patient education. As Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau’s vice president of Multicultural Tourism and Development, Connie W. Kinnard is charged with supporting convention sales efforts and promoting Miami’s multicultural neighborhoods, attractions and events. Kinnard offers this advice to aspiring executives: “If a seemingly good opportunity arises but puts your integrity into question, choose integrity. By doing these things, you can sleep better at night and awake in liberation.” Knight Foundation Dr. Steve Gallon was elected District 1’s school board member for the Miami-Dade County Public School Board in 2016. A career M-DCPS educator and administrator, Dr. Gallon affirmed, “I am a diehard believer in the educability of children, especially those in the urban core.” He added, “Education is another form of social justice.” The Florida International University doctoral graduate declared, “Silence is unacceptable and actually perpetuates a vicious, generational cycle of poverty, illiteracy, crime, and violence in communities of color in Miami and across the nation." Public Official of the Year: CrabMan 305 The Honorable Shevrin D. Jones Cousins Johnny Fannin and Darren Whitaker crafted their version of the American Dream inside a family member’s garage. The enterprising duo built CrabMan 305 into a cafeteria selling surf and turf delights at 2006 Opa-Locka Blvd. Whitaker said, “Having a great team is key. The better you do for your team, the harder they will work for you.” He continued, “We’re here to provide a service and make sure everybody’s experience is the same every time they come.” The Opa-Locka-natives take pride in serving patrons and creating jobs in their hometown. Shevrin D. Jones is the three-times elected state representative for Florida’s House District 101. Jones said, “I did not pursue public office to raise my voice. I pursued public office to help the people I serve raise their own voices.” In addition to serving on the Appropriations Committee, Jones is the Democratic ranking member on the Education Committee and Health Quality Subcommittee. He is the founder of LEAD Nation, one of South Florida’s premiere youth leadership development organizations. BB5