Community Involvement/Public Service

Mr. Rodney Adkins graduated as Valedictorian in the Miami Jackson Senior High School, Class of 1976.
Additionally, while a student at Miami Jackson Senior High School, he was Student Council President
and a member of the Track and Field Team.

After graduating from Miami Jackson, Mr. Adkins pursued his college education at Rollins College, where he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. Additionally, he completed a second Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. While a student at Georgia Institute of Technology, he found time for “Greek Life” and became a Founding Member of the Lambda Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Upon graduation from college in Engineering, Mr. Adkins began his stellar career that encompasses multiple upper-level positions with IBM. He is the company’s first African American Senior Vice President and corporate officer. In his more than 33-year career, Mr. Adkins has held several senior vice president roles, including Strategic Partnerships and Corporate Strategy from 2013 to 2014, where he was responsible for leading continuous transformation across IBM and developing strategies for a new era of computing, new markets, and new clients. Mr. Adkins’ work spanned the world of technology and computing. He was a leading innovator in solutions ranging from mobile devices to the world’s largest supercomputers. His major contributions included helping to develop the Personal Computer industry, launching the IBM ThinkPad mobile PC, leading IBM’s POWER business to become the dominant player in the UNIX market, and helping to pioneer what became IBM’s portfolio of Smarter Planet solutions.

For his exemplary work, Mr. Adkins was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) in
2005, which is one of the highest national recognitions for the engineering profession. His life story is
archived in The History Makers and he is a lifetime member of the National Society of Black Engineers
(NSBE).

Mr. Adkins is a devoted philanthropist and a passionate supporter of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) related activities. Along with his wife, Michelle Adkins, they are Founding Donors of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, sponsors of the “Free Gospel Sundays” series at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, FL and contributors to the University of Miami UHealth Champions program.

He is currently President of 3RAM Group LLC, a privately held company specializing in capital investments, business consulting services, and property management.

Athletics

Mrs. Carmen Thomas Jackson is a 1975 graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School.
While a student at Miami Jackson, Mrs. Jackson was an honor roll student. While excelling in her academics, she also was a member of the Track and Field Team which she joined during her 10th-grade year and advanced to become one of the Generals and the State of Florida premiere sprinters. She was a member of the team that won the first girl’s varsity State Championship in the State of Florida in track and field in 1975. The team was led by Coach Lula Bell Smith. On that team, she was second in the 100m dash and anchored the winning 4×100 and sprint medley relay. In that same year, she was named Florida Athlete of
the Year. Mrs. Jackson was also named All-County 1973, 74, and 75, in track and field in her high school
career. Additionally, she became a varsity cheerleader in 1973 and was named Captain in 1974-75.

After graduating from Miami Jackson, Mrs. Jackson attended Jackson State University where she earned
a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education in 1975. While in college, she won numerous titles in the 60m
dash, 100m dash, and was a member of a sprint medley relay team that broke an indoor world record.
She was named All-American 12 times in her collegian career. She later earned a Master’s Degree in
Computer Technology from Nova University.

Mrs. Jackson is currently employed as a teacher and Head Track and Field Coach at Miami Northwestern
Senior High School, Miami Florida.

Her coaching career began in 1980 when she became an assistant coach under her high school coach.
In 1991-92 she became the head girl’s track and field coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School.
She has won thirteen state titles (1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
2015, and 2016, 2017), 17 Regional Titles, 26 District Titles, and 19 GMAC Conference Titles. She was
named Florida Interscholastic Athletic Association Coach of the Year (1999, 2001), Florida Dairy Farmers Coach of the Year (1999-2001, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013,2014,2015, 2016, 2016),
Florida Athletic Coaches Association of the Year (2001-2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), and Miami
Herald Coach of the Year (2001, 2007), Miami Herald Track Coach of the Year (1999, 2001, 2004,
2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,2015, 2016, 2017), National High School
Athletic Association Coach of the Year Regional winner (2001, 2010), National High School Athletic Association Coach of the Year 2014-15, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association
(USTFCCCA) 2015 National Coach of the Year, National High Coaches Association 2016 Girls track and
field Coach of the Year

Athletics

Mr. Tim “Ice” Harris is a 1983 graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School.

While a student at Miami Jackson, he was a star athlete in football, track, and soccer. He attended college after graduation and continued in sports where he earned the title of 1st Team All-Conference Defensive Back and won 1st place on two different occasions in the Track and Field Invitational 400 meters.

His professional career includes being Director of Football Community Relations, Assistant Director of Football
Operations and Running Back Coach at the University of Miami. He currently serves
as Head Football and Head Track and Field Coach at Booker T. Washington Senior High
School, Miami, Florida. As Head Football Coach at Booker T. Washington, he has gained
an overall record of 109-14. He led his team to three state titles and one national title.
As Head Track and Field Coach, he led his team to two state championships.

Mr. Harris was influential in over 200 high school athletes pursuing a college education.
He has coached ten All-American football players, ten professional football players,
four All-Track All-Americans, four Hall of Fame Track Athletes, and one Olympic Athlete

Athletics

Nick Ferguson is a 1991 graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School.

While a student at Miami Jackson, he played football on the Jr. Varsity and Sr. Varsity teams. He was honored as the Defensive MVP of the 1990 Soul Bowl. He was a member of the Mock Trials Team and graduated in the top percentile of his Senior Class.

He received a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) where he received a full scholarship after joining the team as a “walk-on.” His academics, while a college student, earned him recognition on the Dean’s List.

After graduation from Georgia Tech, he played professional football. His football career included the New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. During his career in the NFL, he received the NFL Player Development Academic Achievement Award, served as an NFL Youth and High School Ambassador and played in the 2005-2006 AFC Championship.

As a member of the New York Jets, he served as a volunteer coach and mentor at a local high school in the Hempstead Long Island area and performed multiple speaking engagements at public schools in the New York City area. As a member of the Denver Broncos, he had “hands-on” involvement with the Denver Broncos Community Relations Department in program developed to improve the lives of those in the community. As a member of the Houston Texans, he volunteered at Southside Community Shelter for at-risk inner-city youth and worked with at-risk youth & teens as a member of the Houston Texans
T.A.C.T outreach program.

Mr. Ferguson is currently employed as a Sports Analyst and Speaker and lives in Studio City,
California. He is an NFL on TuneIn Broadcast member and continues to serve as an NFL Youth
and High School Ambassador.

Carol Whitehead-Sutton Legacy

Evangeline (Angie) Canty is a 1982 graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School.

While a student at Miami Jackson, she was in the Marching Band for two years, a member of F.B.L.A. Club and the VIVA Club.

After graduation, Ms. Canty joined the workforce. She began employment with Miami-Dade County Government. She now has the distinct honor of having been employed with the Miami Dade County Solid Waste Department for 32 years.

Realizing the importance of education, Ms. Canty pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Management and Human Resources from the University of Phoenix. Both degrees were earned while she worked full-time, a testament to her character of commitment.

That same character of commitment has driven Ms. Canty to be a steadfast advocate for the mission of the Miami Jackson Generals Alumni Association. Ms. Canty is a familiar face to the administration, faculty, staff and students of Miami Jackson. She serves as Vice President of the Miami Jackson Generals Alumni Association and is an official school volunteer having completed the mandated requirements stipulated by Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

She consistently interacts with the school administration to facilitate issues of concern that affect the learning environment of the students. Ms. Canty facilitates the annual alumni scholarship awards ceremony and is instrumental in soliciting multiple scholarship donations from Alumni Classes and individual Miami Jackson graduates. To further ensure that the students of Miami Jackson are adequately served, she is one (1) of two (2) representatives, from the Alumni Association, to the ICARE Committee (Inner City Alumni for Responsible Education). The ICARE Committee is a group of concerned alumni of inner city high schools who formed to develop methods, tactics and strategies to fight against the inequities and even the playing field where it concerns education in the inner city schools. The meetings are with the Superintendent of Schools. During these meetings, Ms. Canty relates concerns that adversely affect the success of the students at Miami Jackson and vigorously advocates for expedited resolution.

With fundraising as the primary source of funding to support the mission, Ms. Canty works tirelessly in
promoting all fundraising events, by engaging her large circle of influence in monetary donations.

Her commitment to “serve” is displayed outside the Miami Jackson Generals Alumni Association as she serves at the New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith International as an Assistant Director of the Ruby L. Stephens Usher Ministry. Additionally, she consistently serves as a volunteer at the Omega Power and Praise Ministry Food Bank, by feeding the disadvantaged in the community, especially the elderly. Under the leadership of Dr. Harriette Wilson-Greene, Overseer/Pastor, she also volunteers with other programs of the Omega Power and Praise Ministry that include Seniors Valentine Day Banquet, Easter Basket Giveaway, Mother/Father’s Day Banquet, Book Bag Giveaway, Thanksgiving and Christmas toy Giveaway.

Ms. Canty says, “Giving back is my mission………”

Her service is a lifestyle.

Religion

Overseer Dr. Harriette Wilson-Greene is a 1973 graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School.
While a student at Miami Jackson Senior High School. Overseer Dr. Wilson-Greene was co-captain of the Pep Squad her sophomore though senior years. She served on the Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior and Senior Boards. She was a member of the Volleyball and Softball Teams.

She continued her education at Charron-Williams College and completed training as a Registered Medical Assistant. She later attended Miami-Dade Community College where she completed coursework in Business Administration. Nursing, Radiology and Pastoral Management. Overseer Dr. Wilson-Greene earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral Degree from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. She is currently the Overseer/Senior Pastor of Omega Power and Praise Ministry. Inc. Through her Minis-try, she sponsors weekly feedings, a Senior Valentine Day Banquet, Easter Basket Giveaway, Mother’s Day Banquet. Summer Camp, Youth Explosion/Back to School Jam. Thanksgiving Come Dine with Us. Christmas Toys for Tots and a Senior Dinner Giveaway.

Overseer Dr. Wilson-Greene currently serves as Chaplain for the Miami Jackson Generals Alumni Association. Inc. She serves as Secretary of the Intercity Alumni For Responsible Education (ICARE)
of Miami, Inc .. Chairman, Community Engagement Committee. Member, Liberty City Coalition for Change, and numerous other organizations. She was the 2014 recipient of the P.U.L.S.E. People’s Choice Aware in Religious Leadership.

Overseer Dr. Wilson-Greene is a retired Letter Carrier.

Religion

Pastor Dr. Nathaniel Patterson is a 1969 _graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School.
He was ordained in Pastoral Ministry on October 4, 1992. He is the Founder and Senior Pastor of New Life World Outreach Ministries with the subscript, “The Place Where Love Is.” He is also the Co-Founder of the New Life Enrichment Center that fosters education in parenting, resume writing, life skills. interviewing tips. college/university application prep, scholarship and financial aid, surviving a lay-off and FCAT prep. Pastor Patterson is also the Founder of the Men of Valor support Ministry that focuses on building a foundation that will help build the male factor–brinzinz him to a place of knowing he is a man of God first and foremost. then restoring the man back to his original place in God. at home. at work. and in society; allowing God to repair the breach and build up the wasted places.

Dr. Patterson completed training as a Christian Marriage Counselor in 1998. He was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in January 2010. He has been married to Cassandra Patterson for 36 years.
She also is a Pastor at the New Life World Outreach Ministries. They have 5 children. 8 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild

Political Awareness

State Representative Sharon Pritchett is a 1969 graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School.
She was elected in 2012 to the newly-created District 102 seat in the Florida House of Representatives. She was re-elected in 2014 without opposition. When elected to office in 2012. Representative Pritchett was no stranger to politics.

She worked on the Committee to Incorporate the City of Miami Gardens in 2002 and upon Incorporation was elected to the Miami Gardens City Council. Citywide Seat 5. She served on the Council from 2003 through 2011. Significant to her service as a Councilwoman, she sponsored Resolutions that created Citizens’ Advisory Committees namely People with Disabilities, Parks, and Recreation, and the Elderly Affairs. and Caribbean Affairs.

Representative Pritchett is an active member of many professionals. community. and civic organizations such as. Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation, Broward County Legislative Delegation, National Foundation of Women Legislators. Unrepresented People’s Positive Action Council (UP-PAC). Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Alpha Gamma Chapter)-just to name a few.

She completed her higher education at Biscayne College (now known as St. Thomas University) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice and Human Resources and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management. She served 28 years as an investigator for the Miami-Dade county Public Defender’s Office. During her tenure she earned the title of Chief Investigator. Representative Sharon Pritchett continues to work tirelessly to empower and create opportunities for others. She believes in leading with honesty and integrity. while focusing on continued opportunities to serve the Miami Gardens. Miramar. and Pembroke Pines Communities.

Political Awareness

Commissioner Audrey Edmonson is a 1971 graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School.
She has been active in local politics since 1999. Her first position was as Mayor of the Village of El Portal. She was elected to the Miami-Dade Commission for District 3 in 2005. She was re-elected in 2012 to a four-year term. She served as Vice Chair from 201 0 to 2012. She represents the communities of Liberty City. Little Haiti. Overtown. the Upper East Side. Edgewater. Buena Vista. Allapattah. Wynwood. Venetian Causeway and Watson Island. are all located in the City of 1.1iarni; Brownsville. Biscayne Shores Park area. the Village of El Portal and the Village of Miami Shores. Commissioner Edmonson is a member of several Advisory Boards advocating for the betterment of Dade County residents.

She championed the establishment and is an Ex-Officio Member of the Miami Children’s Initiative (MCI). a program modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone. aimed at helping Liberty City children from cradle to adulthood.

Before beginning her career in politics. Commissioner Edmonson was employed by Eastern Airlines for 16 years as a stewardess. She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a dual master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling from Barry University.

She is a Charter Member of the Miami-Biscayne Bay (FL) Chapter of the Links. Incorporated and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Incorporated. both with several public service initiatives. She also is a member of Top Ladies of Distinction. Inc .. JUST US and the Red Hat Society–Classy Girlfriends.

Health Awareness

Mr. Nelson L. Adams. M. D .. is a 1970 graduate of Miami Jackson Senior High School.
While a student at Miami Jackson, Dr. Adams was in the marching band. served on the Debate Team and was a Silver Knight nominee in the area of Social Science. After graduation, he pursued higher education and is an esteemed alumnus of Howard University, where he has been recognized in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. He earned his medical degree at Meharry Medical College. where he was named Student of the Year in his freshman class and now serves on the Board of Trustees. In 1982 he completed his four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the prestigious Emory University.

Dr. Adams is a medical leader passionately committed to eliminating racial and ethnic inequality in health. He is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with a vibrant and challenging practice in Miami-Dade County. He is the Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jackson North Medical Center. He also is the CEO of Metro Miami OB/GYN Associates. P.A. Professor of OB/GYN at Florida International University College of Medicine and Chairman of the Sunshine State Health Plan.

He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society.