For the Thanksgiving season, we proudly partnered with the JTA, ATU and Sulzbacher Village to help those in need during this time of the year. We are appreciative of the opportunity to be apart of this special event each year!
For the October meeting, the COMTO Jacksonville chapter hosted a special guest from Duval County Public Schools. This guest was Paula Wright. Mrs. Wright is the Supervisor of the Office of Economic Opportunity. Her topic of discussion for this meeting was “Duval Half-Cent Tax – A Plan to Upgrade Our Schools”. Our speaker discussed the upcoming half-cent vote in the November election to assist in improving Duval County schools and opportunities to do business with DCPS. We are very appreciative of Mrs. Wright spending time with our chapter and sharing knowledge about initiatives coming from the Office of Economic Opportunity.
For the September meeting, the COMTO Jacksonville chapter hosted two special guests from the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. These guests were Angie D. Williams, CGC and Wilbur Wright. Both are project managers for the System Development team focusing on design and construction initiatives. Their topic of discussion was “Economically Strengthening Businesses and Our Communities as we Construct Projects”. Our speakers engaged the COMTO Jacksonville chapter members in conversation about contractor and construction opportunities coming down the JTA pipeline. We thank both Angie and Wilbur for their time and insight to help build a better Jacksonville and support the small business community in NE Florida.
To access the recording of this historic August 2020 meeting about systemic racism and leadership, check out our YouTube channel.
The past 6 months have been unprecedented times, globally, with the spread of COVID-19. This has mandated citizens to practice social distancing, perform stay-at-home orders, and adopt wearing face masks. In an effort to pivot with the times, COMTO Jacksonville has created the virtual meeting series to stay connected, provide updates/resources and keep members safe from further transmission of the virus.
To kick-off the “virtual” conversation series, our COMTO Jacksonville August guest speaker was Dr. Nathaniel Glover, the first African-American Sheriff in the history of Jacksonville and former 29th President of Edward Waters College
Dr. Glover was born, educated and raised in Jacksonville and has been a leader of countless organizations for over six decades. Throughout his professional career, his mission has shined through with education and community service, in the forefront.
He is the recipient of many accolades including the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award in 1999 for “his untiring efforts to combat crime through community involvement and to effect positive changes in the criminal justice system”, the “Great Floridian Award” from Gov. Rick Scott in May of 2016 and on June 30th, 2015 Nat Glover Day was declared by the City of Jacksonville.
In retirement, Dr. Glover remains active and involved in community service activities, church and fraternity in Jacksonville.
About our Moderator – Dr. Tammy Hodo
Dr. Tammy L. Hodo is the founder and President of All Things Diverse LLC, an educational consulting company working with organizations to optimize employee productivity through recognizing the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Tammy earned her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Urban Studies, with a minor in Sociology in which she specializations in Race, Class, Gender, and Ethnicity. She is a TEDx Jacksonville speaker where she discussed “The Social Implications of Race.”
JACKSONVILLE CHAPTER AWARDED (4) SCHOLARSHIP
RECIPIENTS LAST FRIDAY!
During these uncertain times COMTO Jacksonville is still doing some great things in the community. Although we were unable to host our annual Bowl a Thon, the Jacksonville Chapter kept its promise of awarding scholarships to (4) deserving students. Please continue to support the Chapter so we can continue to support the community.
MEET THE COMTO JACKSONVILLE 2020 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
On behalf of the COMTO Jacksonville Executive Board, Members, Sponsors and Supporters, we congratulate each scholarship recipient and wish you much success on your college journeys!
To kick off the 2020 new year, the COMTO Jacksonville local chapter held its first monthly meeting at the Florida Department of Transportation Facility featuring guest speaker, Dr. Cleveland Ferguson III, Senior Vice President and Chief Administration Officer (CAO) of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
Dr. Ferguson educated COMTO members and guests about the JTA’s new projects and initiatives for transportation and future plans to expand the industry as a whole.
The audience viewed blueprints, progression and the pending completion of the new JRTC (Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center) building downtown in the LaVilla area, which is set to be opened to the public at the end of March 2020.
Dr. Ferguson not only expressed his excitement about JTA’s accomplishments (past & present), but also encouraged everyone to “Embrace all things Mobility!” In 2019, the JTA served a whopping 11.2 million customers and Dr. Ferguson believes those numbers will increase tremendously as new developments for transportation will continue to soar. By using public transportation, he believes the consumer will benefit by saving money and utilizing reliable services that will hone in on the four major factors of the “New Mobility Paradigm” which are: integration, technology, innovation and mobility.
Thank you to Dr. Ferguson for sharing this information and we look forward to the grand opening of the new JRTC building which will house not only buses, but also multiple modes of transportation to serve the Jacksonville community.
On Thursday, December 12, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., the chapter held its annual holiday social at The Bleu Chocolát Café located in Springfield. The social event was an opportunity to thank our sponsors and members for a successful 2019 year and to also network with a wide range of transportation agency leaders and representatives.
While enjoying the café’s delicious cuisines, the chapter’s board of directors announced their 2019 accomplishments and plans for 2020. Next year, the Jacksonville chapter will be celebrating its 20th year anniversary of its official COMTO installation. From the entire COMTO Jacksonville Chapter to you and your families, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It’s a wrap!
(Pictured from left to right: Sherman Rothwell, Chris Macklin, Rene’e Harris, Ken Jefferson, Edrena Bell, Donovan Calicker, Tsopie Trottie, Ida Blaylock, Harris House staff member, Ray Diggs, Bob Prince, Emma Gray, Mike Sandifer)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (December 12, 2019) – For the seventh consecutive year, members of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Jacksonville Chapter facilitate a community outreach effort to support a local senior community for the holiday season. This year, the local chapter stopped by the Harris House Adult Daycare Facility.
Members greeted the seniors at Harris House and delivered holiday gifts which ranged from basic needed items to warm clothing. Harris House has been servicing seniors for over 25 years and cares for residents from the ages of 39 – 104 years old. Owner, Mrs. Rene’e Harris has been providing these resources in the Jacksonville community and was recently awarded the Elizabeth Means Health Award from the NAACP Jacksonville Chapter. Thank you to Mrs. Harris and her entire staff for allowing COMTO Jacksonville to come and spread some holiday cheer.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (December 12, 2019) – For the seventh consecutive year, members of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Jacksonville Chapter facilitate a community outreach effort to support a local senior community for the holiday season. This year, the local chapter stopped by the Harris House Adult Daycare Facility.
Members greeted the seniors at Harris House and delivered holiday gifts which ranged from basic needed items and warm clothing. Harris House has been servicing seniors for over 25 years years. Owner, Mrs. Rene’e Harris has been providing these resources in the Jacksonville community and was recently awarded the Elizabeth Means Health Award from the NAACP Jacksonville Chapter. Thank you to Mrs. Harris and her staff for allowing COMTO Jacksonville to share some holiday cheer.
On November 25, 2019, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), COMTO Jacksonville and IAMUnion partnered together to sponsor the Sulzbacher Village, a permanent, low income housing community for women and families. Residents and families received Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets which included a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings such as: turkeys, hams, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce just to name a few.
Special thanks to: Sulzbacher Village residents, Cindy Funkhouser, CEO of Sulzbacher Village, Nathaniel Ford, CEO of the JTA, Melvin Nesmith, IAMUnion Vice President, the JTA Cares Team and COMTO Jacksonville Members.
