The University of Florida Association of Black Alumni – South Florida Chapter will celebrate Black History Month with its “Gator Greats” recognition and networking reception on Thurs., Feb. 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Tokyo Blue, located at The Ocean Manor (4040 Galt Ocean Drive, Fort Lauderdale). The inaugural event will highlight the accomplishments of black alumni, including the first black student to graduate from the university, as well as provide a platform for networking and raise funds for local students planning to attend the institution.
“The UF Association of Black Alumni’s mission is to build support, develop programming and create initiatives that help in the personal and professional development of UF alumni, students, faculty and staff,” said Robyn Hankerson, President of the UF Association of Black Alumni – South Florida Chapter. “Gator Greats is a great opportunity to fulfill this mission, while highlighting alumni and showcasing the impact that we are making in building a better South Florida.”
The event will celebrate the accolades of leaders in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties who have excelled in the areas of education, law, nonprofit and community building. Honorees include W. George Allen, Esq., Reginald J. Fox, Rev. Henry Green III, Juliet Murphy Roulhac and Katrina Louis.
- George Allen is a community activist, attorney and notably, the first black student to graduate from the University of Florida in 1962, achieving a J.D. Not only did he make history at UF, but he also became the first black person to earn a degree in any former white institution in Florida, thus integrating higher education in the state. A champion for human rights throughout his career, Allen is also credited with filing the lawsuit that integrated Broward County Public Schools, ensuring all children were entitled to equal education. He is currently retired after practicing law for 50 years as the sole proprietor of the Law Offices of W. George Allen in Ft. Lauderdale.
Reginald J. Fox has been employed by the Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 1997 and is currently the principal of Kendale Elementary School. Under his leadership, the school received its eleventh “A” rating during the 2013-2014 school year and earned 656 points on the 2014 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Fox also works as an adjunct professor at the Union Institute & University and recently developed the master syllabus and online curriculum for all of UI&I’s Contemporary Mathematics courses. He is a member of the Theta Rho Sigma chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., serving as corresponding secretary and advisor for Sigma Beta Club, a mentoring organization for young males, as well as volunteers with the Miami Rescue Mission and Camillus House. He holds bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from UF.
Rev. Henry E. Green III, also known as “Trae,” comes from a family heritage that is rich in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is a third generation preacher. In 2004, he graduated with a degree in Sociology from UF. He received his Masters in Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center (Turner Theological Seminary) in Atlanta, GA before assuming his current role as pastor of Payne Chapel AME Church in Greater West Palm Beach. During his brief tenure, he has renovated the 76-year-old edifice on both its interior and exterior, as well as worked to lead the church in donating more than $10,000 to local civic organizations and high school graduating seniors. Amongst his widespread community involvement, he is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Katrina Louis has a deep passion for her community and continually finds ways to impact youth through her career and volunteer opportunities. She currently works as a multimedia specialist for the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, an independent taxing authority that funds programs that serve children. Louis graduated from UF with a B.S. in public relations and minor in communication studies, and served two terms as the inaugural South Florida president of UF’s Association of Black Alumni. In this role, she helped develop a scholarship for graduating high school students attending the institution. Additionally, she holds various leadership positions with the Fort Lauderdale branch of Professional Opportunity Programs for Students, South Florida Chapter of National Black Public Relations Society and YMCA of Broward County’s “Y Society.”
Juliet Murphy Roulhac is the Regional Manager for External Affairs for Florida Power & Light Company for Broward County and Southwest Florida. She manages external relations with elected officials and major stakeholders for the company and develops regional strategies to meet the needs of FPL and its business and residential customers. A licensed attorney with more than 25 years of litigation experience, Roulhac accomplished her B.A. and J.D. degrees from UF. Among much professional and community involvement, she is a gubernatorial appointee to UF’s Board of Trustees, the first African American woman to serve on the Board. She was also elected to the statewide Florida Bar Board of Governors, where she served on the Executive Committee. Roulhac has received several honors, including “South Florida’s 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Leadership,” Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association’s Award of Distinction, Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, Who’s Who of American Women among many others.
The “Gator Greats” recognition and networking reception is free and open to the public. Space is limited. To RSVP or for more information, email abadirector.sofla@gmail.com or visitwww.ufabasofla.wordpress.com.
About the University of Florida Association of Black Alumni – South Florida Chapter
The Association of Black Alumni (ABA) is an affiliate of the University of Florida Alumni Association, Inc., whose mission is to build support, develop programming and create initiatives that help in the personal and professional development of UF alumni, students, faculty and staff.
The South Florida chapter of ABA aligns itself with the goals and objectives set forth by the national organization to keep members of the South Florida community engaged with the Gator Nation®.
