by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
DAILY RECORD, JAN. 4 — When it comes to downtown development and growth, the Southbank is a ball of fire. So is the new president of the Southside Business Men’s Club.
Belinda H. Mitchell, vice president and branch manager of CenterBank on Hendricks Avenue, was installed as the first-ever female president of the organization.
In addition to SBMC, Mitchell is also active in the Chamber of Commerce, Theatre Jacksonville’s board of directors and the San Marco Merchants Association.
“The Southside Business Men’s Club is the love of my heart,” she said.
A member since 2001, Mitchell has seen the organization, which was founded in 1932, prosper.
“In the past two years, it has really grown. We added 88 new members last year and 98 the year before. We have come a long way,” said Mitchell. “The Southside Business Men’s Club has never been bigger than it is today. I think once they allowed women in the club in 1996 it just kind of blossomed. About a third of our membership is female.”
Mitchell started getting involved in club projects as soon as she joined and believes it has helped her build business at the bank.
“Here at CenterBank, the bank and the club go hand-in-hand because we both target the small-business market,” she said. “It’s a perfect fit.”
Mitchell said she believes each club president wants to be remembered for something they did while in office. She would like to present a vintage car show to raise money to benefit the club’s charities, then added she has a fundamental goal for the coming year.
“To me, we’re on the right track to keep this club going,” Mitchell said. “When we take our oath we say that we will not drop the ball. I think that’s an important obligation. I just want to keep the club on the right track.”
Mitchell also said there is one question she hears more than any other.
“Everyone asks if we’re going to change the name of the club. You know what? Never,” she said.
“I don’t want to see the name change because of our history of community outreach. Our name is on the wall at the San Marco library. We also adopted Treaty Oak Park. We are responsible for Philips Highway being spelled correctly. There is just so much this club has done in the past 74 years, to change the name would be to lose tradition and heritage. I don’t think the name matters. It has never held me back and there will be other women who will follow me,” added Mitchell.