Education:
DHL, Florida Memorial College, 1998
MA, University of Miami, 1972
BS, Fisk University, 1963.

Professional Experience:
Miami Executive Director, Office of Alternative Education and Dropout Prevention, Miami-Dade County Schools.

Political Experience:
Minority Whip, Florida State Senate, 2008-present
Senator, Florida State Senate, 2003-present
Democratic Whip, Florida State Senate, 2002-2004
Representative, Florida State House of Representatives, 1998-2002
School Board Member, Miami-Dade County, 1992-1998.

Organizations:
Member, The Links Incorporated, present
Member, National Association of Black School Educators, present
Member, Various Chambers of Commerce, present
Founder, "Stop Day, Enough is Enough", 1996-present
Founder/Member, 5000 Role Models of Excellence Incorporated, 1993-present
Former Regional Director, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, 1986-present
Board of Directors, Educational Fund, Women's Action for New Directions, 2004
Miami Delegate, President's Summit for America's Future, 1997
Founder, Miami-Dade County "Keep Me Safe" Summit, March, and Candlelight Vigil, 1997.

Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees:
Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force, 2004
Minority Certification Task Force, 1992-1998
Government Accountability to the People Commission, 1992-1994.

Committees:
Criminal Justice, Vice Chair
Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations, Vice Chair
Education Pre-K - 12, Vice Chair
Intergovernmental Relations, Member
Policy and Steering Committee on Social Responsibility, Member
Policy and Steering Committee on Ways and Means, Member