HOLLYWOOD – HOT 105 saluted several South Florida Caribbean Americans in Business, Community, and Volunteer Leadership Roles at a reception held at the Hilton Hotel in Dania Beach in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month.
The honorees were:
Neki Mohan – Excellence in Media
Local 10 reporter/anchor Neki Mohan has worked throughout the country, but she feels most at home here in South Florida.
Born in New York and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, Neki connects with the thousands in the Caribbean community that have made their homes here. She is very active in the Caribbean community and understands the unique qualities that contribute to the diverse blend that is South Florida.
Hilca Thomas – Excellence in Education
Assistant Principal of the Year from Howard A. Doolin Middle School. Hilca has done an outstanding job of stressing the importance of literacy in science and math.
Freddie McGregor – Excellence in Entertainment
Internationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer, Freddie McGregor, has been moving people with his conscious lyrics for over 40 years.
In 1989, Freddie launched his own record label, Big Ship. Today, Big Ship is the largest and most recognized reggae label in Japan handling its own production, manufacturing, distribution and promotions.
On August 8, 2003, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, honored Freddie with the prestigious Jamaican Order of Distinction in recognition of his contribution to Jamaica’s music and culture.
Jacques Despinosse – Outstanding Community Activist
Jacques Despinosse ia a member of the North Miami City Council, and was first elected in May 2001 then re-elected in May 2005. His current term will expire in May 2009.
Mr. Despinosse has been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. Mr. Despinosse has also served on a number of boards and committees in the City of North Miami, City of Miami and Miami-Dade County. He was a member of the Host Steering Committee for the Summit of the Americas in 1994, and a United States Presidential Observer Delegate to the Elections in Haiti in 1995.
Jerry D. Hamilton- Excellence in Law
Jerry Hamilton is a managing partner of the international and state wide law firm of Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, LLP with offices throughout the State of Florida and Kingston, Jamaica.
He was past President (3 years) and founding member of the Caribbean Bar Association which has and continues to serve the South Florida community for over 10 years. He is an executive officer and legal counsel to the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Dade County Bar Association and was chair of the Litigation Section of the Association.
Chester A. Bishop – Excellence In Entrepreneurship
Chester A. Bishop is the founder, president and CEO of SuRealty Title, Inc. and Attorney’s Realty Title, Inc., both located in Broward County.
Mr. Bishop has been a positive force and an advocate in South Florida for affordable housing and for first-time home ownership. He and his firms have conducted numerous home ownership workshops and seminars on local, state and federal housing grant programs. He has provided leadership and support services on numerous housing boards and committees.
Currently, Mr. Bishop is president of the South Florida Board of Realtists.
Marie R. Gill – Outstanding Community Organization
Marie Gill is President & CEO of M. Gill & Associates, Inc., a full-service management, marketing and public relations consulting firm.
A Champion for small and minority businesses, she is the first Black woman entrepreneur to have been awarded a federal contract from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency.
Marie was elected by her peers to serve as the first President of the Jamaica USA Chamber of Commerce, in March, 2004. Her leadership has contributed to the growth of the Chamber to a current membership of 527.
Marie Denise Gervais, M.D – Excellence in Medicine / Community Service
Dr. Gervais is a Assistant Clinical Professor for the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Miami/ Miller School of Medicine Diplomate American Board of Family Physicians.
Henry B. Fernandez – Outstanding Faith Based Initiatives
An anointed speaker, an accomplished author and entrepreneur, Henry B. Fernandez answered the call of God on his life in 1985 when he moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 1988, he became an ordained minister.
In July 1991, Fernandez began to demonstrate his faith in God and a commitment to “walk by faith” in every area of life when, along with his wife, Carol, they founded the Plantation Worship Center and had the first service in the cafeteria of a local elementary school in South Florida with only 11 members. Now known as The Faith Center Ministries, the church makes its home in the former Sunrise Theatre where its more than 8,000 members embrace a mission of “Reaching the World for Jesus
Glenn C. Joseph – Outstanding Political Activist
Glenn C. Joseph is President/CEO of Munro & Associates Inc, a consulting firm specializing in government and public relations, political consulting and management, international trade, international business development, and outreach.
The firm has completed successful campaigns in the City of Miramar, Florida where Caribbean nationals held a majority on the commission from 2003 to 2007, and the newly Incorporated City of Miami Gardens, in Dade County, Florida.
Mr. Joseph also serves as President/Managing Director of Renaissance SVG Group, Inc. an Infrastructural Design and Development Company.
Glenn C. Joseph has served on the board of Directors of the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. since 2000 as Assistant Treasurer, Vice President, President, and is currently a member of the GCACC Advisory Board.
