IN MEMORY OF MARC THOMAS HENDERSON
Former journalist and White House associate press secretary Marc Thomas Henderson, recently passed on Nov. 15. He was 76 years old.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Henderson graduated from Columbia University and launched his career in journalism in 1973. He worked in several media markets including Danbury, Conn. and New Orleans, La. before landing a media/public relations position as an associate press secretary during the Jimmy Carter administration.
Henderson eventually moved to Florida where he worked for Miami-Dade County for over 30 years. He was an active member of the community who served in various roles including as president of the Greater Miami Aviation Association, vice president for Operations for 100 Black Men of South Florida and as board member for the American Cancer Society, Miami-Dade unit
FSMSDC ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO
The Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council recently welcomed Nikki Austin-Shipp as its new president and chief executive officer. Austin-Shipp succeeds Beatrice Louissaint, who has led the Council for more than 25 years.
Most recently, Austin-Shipp served in the Public Affairs Division within the Office of the City Manager for the city of Fort Lauderdale. While there she led initiatives focused on expanding economic opportunities, including small business development, entrepreneurship support and strengthening community partnerships with government and business.
Austin-Shipp has also served the city as a board member for the Economic Development Advisory Board and Invest Fort Lauderdale.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF DR. BARBARA MONTFORD
Dr. Barbara Montford, the first African American woman to serve as president of the Dade County Medical Association, has died.
Montford, a graduate of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Brown University, specialized in adult and pediatric urology, including prostate cancer and female urology.
A diplomate of the American Board of Urology, she was a distinguished board-certified urologist and pioneering medical leader who established her own private practice in 1999, becoming a trailblazer in her field.
Montford was a dedicated advocate for community healthcare who leaves a legacy of leadership and service.
FORMER POLICE LIEUTENANT NAMED BIG SISTER OF THE YEAR
Selina Hightower has been named Big Sister of The Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward. The nonprofit supports mentoring relationships with youth by partnering with volunteers in the community.
Hightower, who was the first African American female sergeant and lieutenant at the Hollywood Police Department, retired in 2022 after 28 years of service in law enforcement.
Hightower remains committed to the community through her work with a variety of organizations including Visions of Images, PreCision Girls Mentoring and Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. She also serves as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Florida Association of Women Law Enforcement Professionals.
GREATER MIAMI URBAN LEAGUE APPOINTS PRESIDENT AND CEO
Makeda Holley Johnson has joined the Greater Miami Urban League as their president and chief executive officer. She fills the position vacated by T. Willard Fair, the organization’s previous president and CEO who has since retired after 60 years of leadership.
Prior to her current role, Johnson was the chief operating officer at the Winston-Salem Urban League of North Carolina.
The Urban League of Greater Miami was founded in 1943 and is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment and social justice.
