By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson
Mr. Henry Graham, founder of LES – Liberia Economic and Social Development, Inc. -will be honored and celebrated for his 4 decades of community service in the South Broward/Hollywood area of Broward County. The celebration, hosted by LES and the Liberia Civic Association, titled “ Portrait of a Public Servant “ will be held on Saturday, August 24, at Tropical Acres Steak House, 2500 Griffin Road, Dania, Fl. The celebration will begin promptly at 4:30 p.m. The tickets cost $60 and can be purchased on Eventbright. The attire is semi-formal.
Mr. Graham, a graduate of Attucks High School in Hollywood, matriculated to Edward Waters College in Jacksonville where he earned a bachelor of science degree in music. Further master’s and doctoral academic pursuits were completed at Florida A&M University and Nova University respectively.
He has been employed as a recruitment specialist with the Equal Opportunity Coordination Group from 1969-1977 as well as Director of Affirmative Action & Job Placement with the Broward Employment/Training Administration (1977-1981).
He presently serves as the Executive Director of the Liberia Economic and Social Development, Inc., better known as LES, Inc., an organization which he founded 30 plus years ago. The 501 C3 Not-for-Profit Community Based Organization provides social services information, job/economic opportunities and home ownership opportunities to the area’s low-income residents, many of whom are unemployed, underemployed or unskilled.
Henry L. Graham is the Executive Director of Liberia Economic and Social Development, Inc., better known as LES, Inc., an organization which he founded and organized 30 plus years ago. The 501 C3 Not-for-Profit Community Based Organization provides social services information, job/economic opportunities and home ownership opportunities to the area’s low-income residents, many of whom are unemployed, underemployed or unskilled.
Under his direction and guidance via LES Inc., Mr. Graham has developed over 300 scattered site low to moderate income Single Family home projects in and around South Broward County, primarily in the Liberia and Washington Park Community in the City of Hollywood, Florida . . . .
- supervised the construction of three (3) major projects totaling over 160 units
- a commercial office building that housed the administrative offices of LES
- developed seven (7) affordable single family homes known as Crispus Commons
- fifty-six (56) single family homes known as Oakwood Hills
- twelve (12) single family homes project known as Cody Street
- manage and owns a thirty-four (34) mix townhomes and duplex development known as Washington Park Villas
- managed a Day Care “The South Broward Learning Center”
- in addition, developed, managed and owned a 64 unit 1,2,3 & 4 BR rental apartment complex known as New College Garden Apartments located on Dania Beach side of J.A. Ely Blvd.
- developed five Single Family affordable homes in – incorporated FL
- 1 single Family home on Simms Street
Other Community service programs established or coordinated and implemented include—
- Social Services for Seniors
- Job service location in the community
- Family Planning location in the community
- Immunization/Health services location in the community
- Community Health services for children and the elderly
- Organization of a Concern Citizens group
- Community Cancer screening for low income residents of Broward
- Community Food Pantry for over 30 years in Hollywood
- Many other services and programs too numerous to list
Since the beginning of his Community Service Career, Mr. Graham has served on over 40 state, county and local Boards, Committees, and Organizations that include but is not limited to,
- 6 years on the Broward County School Board Diversity Committee
- 21 years – Member of the Inter-Faith Council of Greater Hollywood, President for 3 terms
- 9 years – Member of the Broward county School’s Minority/Women Business Committee
- 2 years – Member of the Land Preservation Advisory Board
- 14 years – Member of the Broward County Fair Committeeand Board of Directors
- 22 years – Member of the Broward County Soil and Water Conservation District Committee
- 1 year – Member of the City of Hollywood Budget AdvisoryBoard
- 15 years – Member of the Brownsfield Re-development Taskforce Environmental Justice Committee
- 18 years – Florida Federation of Community DevelopmentCorporations
- 2 years – Member of the City of Hollywood Charter Board
- 13 years – Member of the African American Advisory council of the City of Hollywood
- 21 years – Liberia Civic Association
- 10 years – City of Hollywood Community Advisory Board
- 4 plus years – on the COH Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Back in the 1980s Mr. Graham served and services the Washington Park and Liberia Community. The City of Hollywood declared February 7, 1990 “Henry L. Graham Day” and dedicated the corner of Simms Street and 24th Avenue in the Liberia Community as “The Henry L. Graham Park” in his honor.
Recent Development Project:
The Washington Park Villas located in the 5600 Block on Wiley Street in Hollywood, Florida 33023. This complex consists of 24 Townhomes, 10 Duplexes totaling 34 Units and a Food Pantry.
Since 2021 Henry Graham has implemented a Construction Training Program in partnership with Sheridan Technical College on Sheridan Street and 56th Avenue in Hollywood FL, designed to provide experience and exposure in the construction trades to skilled Broward County residents the opportunity of learning Plumbing, Electrical, A/C, Carpentry, Roofing; and later to be certified as Fork Lift operators.
Has recently completed two single family homes on Raleigh Street in the Liberia Community of Hollywood
Current Upcoming Development Projects:
The development of the Crispus Commons 12 Townhome Unit Project to be located on Evans Street and 22nd Avenue in Hollywood known as “J. Ely” Blvd.
A planned development of an affordable home in the West Park Community and the construction of two additional homes on vacant lots in the Liberia Community.
