Team Block
Our Advisory Board
Sen. Dwight Bullard
Political Director, The New Florida Majority
“The establishment of the Social Justice Institute at Florida Memorial University is both timely and overdue. The current political climate requires higher level thinking to address these longstanding issues of race and class. FMU is developing the minds that can resolve those issues in a responsible and culturally competent way.”
newfloridamajority.org/staff/
“The establishment of the Social Justice Institute at Florida Memorial University is both timely and overdue. The current political climate requires higher level thinking to address these longstanding issues of race and class. FMU is developing the minds that can resolve those issues in a responsible and culturally competent way.”
newfloridamajority.org/staff/
Michael A. Finney
President and CEO, Miami-Dade Beacon Council
“The Florida Memorial University (FMU) Social Justice Institute is designed to serve as a thought leadership resource that addresses social and economic challenges faced black and brown (and other protected classes) citizens throughout the USA.”
www.beaconcouncil.com/staff/michael-finney/
“The Florida Memorial University (FMU) Social Justice Institute is designed to serve as a thought leadership resource that addresses social and economic challenges faced black and brown (and other protected classes) citizens throughout the USA.”
www.beaconcouncil.com/staff/michael-finney/
Dr. Jacqueline Hill
Dean and Associate Provost for Professional Students and Continuing Education
“In thinking about social justice in education, FMU Social Justice Institute can significantly impact social and cultural positionality on knowledge construction, academic equity, and economic mobility for underserved and underrepresented youth in South Florida.”
“In thinking about social justice in education, FMU Social Justice Institute can significantly impact social and cultural positionality on knowledge construction, academic equity, and economic mobility for underserved and underrepresented youth in South Florida.”
Marquise McGriff
Founder and Executive Developer, Club 1964, Inc.
“In a time like this, when the nation is at a crossroads, and what’s gone unaddressed rears it head in such a way that it can no longer be ignored, we turn to academia to not only provide the facts but the context to what we should think about and how we should move forward. I’m excited to join my own alma mater in continuing our legacy of civil rights activism by picking up the mantle and leading the charge through our newly formed Social Justice Institute.”
“In a time like this, when the nation is at a crossroads, and what’s gone unaddressed rears it head in such a way that it can no longer be ignored, we turn to academia to not only provide the facts but the context to what we should think about and how we should move forward. I’m excited to join my own alma mater in continuing our legacy of civil rights activism by picking up the mantle and leading the charge through our newly formed Social Justice Institute.”
Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Esq.
Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, PLLC
Alexander Rundlet
Alexander Rundlet, Esq. Montoya Law Firm
“”The creation of a Social Justice Institute in South Florida is desperately needed and long overdue. I cannot think of a more fitting institution to advance the cause of racial equity and justice than Florida Memorial University. I am honored to support its efforts as member of its advisory board.”
www.montoyalawfirm.com/alexander-rundlet.html
“”The creation of a Social Justice Institute in South Florida is desperately needed and long overdue. I cannot think of a more fitting institution to advance the cause of racial equity and justice than Florida Memorial University. I am honored to support its efforts as member of its advisory board.”
www.montoyalawfirm.com/alexander-rundlet.html
Mr. Joseph A. Serota
Founding Partner, Weiss, Serota,
Helfman, Cole and Bierman
“We need the academic and scholarly expertise of the FMU faculty, but in order to achieve the success and staying power required of the initiative, we need a sincere “buy-in” from the civic, business, and governmental sectors….I am personally excited by the prospect of the Institute.”
www.wsh-law.com/team/founding-partner/joseph-h-serota/
“We need the academic and scholarly expertise of the FMU faculty, but in order to achieve the success and staying power required of the initiative, we need a sincere “buy-in” from the civic, business, and governmental sectors….I am personally excited by the prospect of the Institute.”
www.wsh-law.com/team/founding-partner/joseph-h-serota/
Dr. Adrienne T. Cooper
Provost and Executive Vice President
Florida Memorial University
“Beginning with our founding, on the heels of emancipation, our legacy and history are predicated on the critical role of higher education in the social justice movement…. The SJI at FMU is necessary to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to continue our mission and to transform lives, and I am honored to be able to contribute.”
“Beginning with our founding, on the heels of emancipation, our legacy and history are predicated on the critical role of higher education in the social justice movement…. The SJI at FMU is necessary to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to continue our mission and to transform lives, and I am honored to be able to contribute.”
Mr. Zion Gates-Norris
FMU Student Government Association
“I support this initiative because, not only is it needed for FMU, it is needed for the United States of America.”
“I support this initiative because, not only is it needed for FMU, it is needed for the United States of America.”
Dr. William Hopper
Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness,
Interim Dean, School of Arts and Sciences,
and Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science
Florida Memorial University
Dr. Kim Cliett Long
President/CEO Organizational Concepts
“The FMU Social Justice Institute has an imperative mission in America, the State of Florida and the South Florida Community. The negative human conditions associated with inequities in education, economics, civil liberties and social justice cry out for the solutions this initiative can provide. I am honored to lend my support.”
www.kimclong.com
“The FMU Social Justice Institute has an imperative mission in America, the State of Florida and the South Florida Community. The negative human conditions associated with inequities in education, economics, civil liberties and social justice cry out for the solutions this initiative can provide. I am honored to lend my support.”
www.kimclong.com
Mr. Lyle Muhammad
Executive Director, Circle of Brotherhood
Dr. Randy Nelson
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Bethune-Cookman University
“Not since the civil rights struggles of the 1960s have America and Americans been as divided over social justice issues as we are today. Criminal justice/police reform is at the top of the list and represents one of the most compelling public policy matters of our time. The creation of the Florida Memorial University Justice Institute is timely and uniquely positioned to be a value-added leader in this space. I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as an inaugural advisory board member.”
“Not since the civil rights struggles of the 1960s have America and Americans been as divided over social justice issues as we are today. Criminal justice/police reform is at the top of the list and represents one of the most compelling public policy matters of our time. The creation of the Florida Memorial University Justice Institute is timely and uniquely positioned to be a value-added leader in this space. I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as an inaugural advisory board member.”
Dr. Paul Ortiz
Professor of History, Director of the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program, University of Florida
“Our nation is currently grappling with overlapping crises in social inequality, racism, and environmental degradation. These challenges make the work of the FMU Social Justice Institute timely and critical in promoting equity, civic engagement and rational solutions to the problems we face.”
peoplesforum.org/instructor/paul-ortiz
“Our nation is currently grappling with overlapping crises in social inequality, racism, and environmental degradation. These challenges make the work of the FMU Social Justice Institute timely and critical in promoting equity, civic engagement and rational solutions to the problems we face.”
peoplesforum.org/instructor/paul-ortiz
Dr. Jeffrey Dean Swain, JD, PhD
Dean of Campus Ministries
“I believe in its ideal of ‘disrupting the world for good.’ Positive change requires the exertion of energy, placing oneself at risk, and overcoming intentionally placed obstacles, if necessary. This what the late John Lewis demonstrated in his life. We, in university life, are privileged to be exposed to the latest intellectual thought on the devastating impact of racism and should understand its impact. Social justice includes efforts to overturn economic disparities, racial, gender, and ethnic prejudice and social dysfunction in all its forms. We cannot be silent or inactive when the world needs what we’ve been prepared to do – which is to advocate for social justice with all our might.”
“I believe in its ideal of ‘disrupting the world for good.’ Positive change requires the exertion of energy, placing oneself at risk, and overcoming intentionally placed obstacles, if necessary. This what the late John Lewis demonstrated in his life. We, in university life, are privileged to be exposed to the latest intellectual thought on the devastating impact of racism and should understand its impact. Social justice includes efforts to overturn economic disparities, racial, gender, and ethnic prejudice and social dysfunction in all its forms. We cannot be silent or inactive when the world needs what we’ve been prepared to do – which is to advocate for social justice with all our might.”