Age: 36
Family: Paige (wife) and Robeson (son)
Pets: None
Education: Hampton University (1998), Harvard Law (2002)
Admitted to the Bar: New York (2002), D.C. (2003), Florida (2005)
Employed by: Jacksonville Jaguars, senior vice president and general counsel
Field of practice: Business transactions and sports and entertainment
Professional organizations: The Jacksonville Bar Association, The Florida Bar, New York State Bar Association, The District of Columbia Bar, The Sports Lawyers Association.
Community involvement: Habitat for Humanity, volunteer; Jacksonville Housing Authority, former board member; Jaguars Readers Program; MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, ambassador board member, and Museum of Science and History, Trustee.
How did you get involved?
I began participating in Habitat for Humanity "builds" in college and have continued to be involved. I began working with the Jacksonville Housing Authority after meeting with its CEO Ronnie Ferguson and learning of JHA's mission targeting the very difficult challenges facing hard-working families and children at the lower ends of the economic spectrum. Each spring, the Jaguars have a great program in which staff at all levels of seniority commit time to read one-on-one with students at a local elementary school. Just in the few months of the program, you can see the kids' reading skills and confidence develop significantly, which is very special for the kids and staff. The MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation is an outstanding resource for youth right in the heart of one of Jacksonville's most challenged neighborhoods. I've recently joined the MOSH board after learning about its dynamic educational programming and the tremendous number of young people across the Northeast Florida region who visit and benefit from the museum.
How can someone else get involved?
Each of these organizations has volunteer opportunities that people can learn about by calling the organizations and/or visiting their websites. Most take charitable donations as well.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
Most importantly, I've learned the importance of taking action; not allowing what may seem to be overwhelming societal problems prevent me from getting involved. Secondly, I find that my community/charitable activities help me keep a healthy perspective on what's truly important in life.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
I am reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," by Eric Carle, with my son Robeson. He's 11 months, so we only read about half the book, where the caterpillar eats the apple, before he turns his focus to more important things. Just finished Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms."