Submitted By JM Family
Black Achievers Program celebrates the contributions of inspiring members of South Florida’s Black community. The program was first established in 1992 as the African American Achievers Awards and was the vision of automotive legend Jim Moran. Over the years, more than 160 individuals have been recognized for positively impacting the world around them, and over $700,000 has been donated to nonprofit organizations on the honorees’ behalf.
In anticipation of the African American Achievers awards ceremony, JM Family Enterprises, Southeast Toyota Distributors and JM Lexus ceremony will be held Thursday, October 26, 2023 at The Parker 101 NE Third Avenue, Ste. 100, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301.
Congratulating Black Achiever Ken Roland, who brings vital life-saving swim instruction to South Florida’s children.
Ken Roland – Broward County – Entrepreneur. His career was launched by a tragedy — a car accident that landed Roland in the hospital gripping to life. After a stressful 15-hour surgery, Roland recovered and vowed to help his community in a special way. Now CEO of CPR-ETC. Inc., Roland brings CPR training and swim instruction to children across the country. Since his accident, Roland became a certified lifeguard and swimming instructor and created the business model which he now runs with his son Jacob and grandson Judah. He formed Swim Central in Broward County, which has provided swimming lessons to more than 650,000 elementary school children, at no charge. As an innovator in the industry, Mr. Roland is leveraging his remarkable background to create an entirely new approach to safety courses.
Congratulating Black Achiever Traci Young-Byron, a preeminent dance instructor changing the lives of thousands of underprivileged youths through dance and the arts.
Traci Young-Byron – Miami-Dade County – Preeminent Dance Instructor. Young-Byron, born and raised in Liberty City, is a pillar of her community. She heads the Performance and Visual Arts Center at Miami Northwestern High School and is dance coach for the school’s Golden Girls Dance Line. She pushes her students to succeed, requiring a 3.5 grade point average to be a part of the team. Young-Byron has touched thousands of underprivileged young women and men with her contributions to the community. Her passion for the arts shines through her role as Founder and CEO of the Young Contemporary Dance Theatre, with its mission to help enlighten and expand societal views through all areas of dance.
Congratulating Black Achiever Marleine Bastien, who champions the cause of women, children, and Haitian families through her dedicated advocacy in the areas of immigration and human rights.
Marleine Bastien – Miami-Dade County – Social Worker and Executive Director of Family Action Network Movement (FANM). Bastien was born in Haiti where she volunteered most of her young life. She came to Florida as an adult and days later began volunteering at the Haitian Refugee Center. Bastien has a master’s degree in social work from Florida International University and spent many years at Jackson Memorial Hospital as a medical social worker with children and families where she became the premiere advocate for patients’ rights. She has championed the cause of women, children, and Haitian families through her dedicated advocacy in the areas of immigration and human rights, HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and domestic violence. Through FANM, Bastien helps to provide an array of services such as immigration help, health access, housing, education and more.
Congratulating Black Achiever Danni Washington, a marine biologist educating thousands of South Florida children about local ecosystems.
Danni Washington – Broward County – Marine Biologist and TV Personality. Washington’s passion for education and for marine biology has given her a unique career path. She broke the mold of a traditional environmentalist, toted as the first African American to host an American science television series. At age 21, she co-founded the Big Blue & You, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and educating youth about marine conservation through arts and media. Washington has a love for youth outreach and education demonstrated by her work as a naturalist at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, where she has helped educate thousands of South Florida children about local marine ecosystems. She sets out to inspire and educate children so they, too, can use their unique set of gifts and follow their passion in life.
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