Scholarship Committee

DR. Linda Tavernier-Almada, Director of Education Our Director of Education received her BA, MA, and her Ph.D. from the University of California Berkeley. Her Ph.D. is interdisciplinary and includes the studies of folk culture, political theory, and the African- Diaspora. Concurrently Dr. Tavernier teaches at the University of South Florida. Her most recent book, Essentially Africa, was published 2016. She has presented her research on black culture at over 25 conferences. Her community engagement work was highlighted in various newspaper articles. She is the recipient of several grants, scholarships, and contribution awards. During her previous tenure as President of HAFTB, the organization received the City Commissioner’s award for best 501c3 in the Tampa area.

Fadia A. Richardson,

Chairperson

Fadia A. Richardson-B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Special Education, Certified in French and Special Education. Dr. Pierre Fr. Conze Scholarship Committee Chair. Fadia has been an educator in the Hillsborough County school system for the past 32 years. In her strong belief in education, Fadia has applied her passion in providing tutoring, translation services and guidance to her students and to the Haitian-American community. She has provided aid in the navigation of services for displaced and in- need Haitian-Americans, from helping students register for schools and much needed services, to helping adults with legal, educational and medical matters. Fadia is a strong believer in giving back to her community, from volunteering in Haiti as a medical intake agent, aiding doctors facilitating health care services, to restoring homes in New Orleans, to distribute food and needed items to those less fortunate. "My goal with HAFTB is to have my fellow Haitian-Americans understand their heritage, their past, so that they can appreciate the road to their future. Education helped me to have a better life and I believe it is our responsibility to give back. Someone helped me on my journey: my family, my friends, and those who believed in my passion; HAFTB is there to give back to the community." Fadia is a founding member of the HAFTB and has served as the organization's Financial Secretary for the past 4 years. Dr. Guitele Jeudy Rahill The pursuit and attainment of higher education is the primary means by which Haitian-American youth can compete in this global context. In particular, we need students versed in economics, in the physical sciences and in the social sciences. I believe that if Haitian-American students achieve, the potential to increase educational infrastructure in Haiti is maximized, as we can share knowledge and enhance understanding of Haitian-specific issues. Dr. Rahill's approach to teaching is strength-based. She believes that every student has something to contribute, and that every student deserves the same respect, when attempting to offer a viewpoint in class, that she is afforded. Dr. Guitele Jeudy Rahill is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida. She received her Ph.D. in Social Welfare at Florida International University. She received her Educational Leadership Certificate from Nova Southeastern University. She has served as Assistant Principal at Deerfield Beach High School and at Indian ridge Middle School in Broward County. Rev. Dr. Charles S. McKenzie Jr., Vice President HAFTB revcsmckenzie@aol.com A graduate from Bethune-Cookman University, with a degree in Religion and Philosophy. He received his doctorate of Divinity from the Christ The King International School Of Divinity in 2010. He has been actively involved in advocacy work for many years, and was listed in the 1983 edition of Outstanding Young Men In America. He ran for the office of U.S. congressional district 13 in 2001, and state house district 55 in 2008. Major newspapers, elected officials, and organizations, endorsed him. He is the state of Florida Coordinator for Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow-PUSH Coalition and a former member of the state board of the Florida ACLU. He has been a public educator for over 30 years. He has been an international missionary, who last traveled to Haiti in 2012.