UPCOMING EVENTS
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John T. Washington Community Service Awards & Scholarship Luncheon
Each year, the African American Studies Program hosts the John T. Washington Community Service Awards and Scholarship Luncheon in order to recognize adults and youths who have made outstanding contributions to our community.
Besides being one of the first African Americans to hold a faculty position at the University of Central Florida, John T. Washington, Ph.D. was a humanitarian and leader who not only taught a life of service, but also lived it. His sincerity and altruism had a profound impact on those with whom he had contact.
The annual John T. Washington luncheon honors his legacy by celebrating the involvement of citizens who participate in community and civic programs in the greater central Florida area. The award recognizes people who exemplify the same humanitarian and scholarly characteristics that were so vividly demonstrated by Washington.
For additional information about the John T. Washington Awards Program and Luncheon, please feel free to contact the African American Studies Program Office at 407-823-0026 or e-mail aas@mail.ucf.edu.
Last Year's Keynote Speaker
Verna Garmon Brinson, Esq.
"A Servant Leader--named John"
Verna Garmon Brinson is a graduate of Jones High School located in Orlando, Florida. Upon graduating from high school Ms. Brinson attended Tuskegee University and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Subsequently, she enrolled in Emory University located in Atlanta, Georgia and received a Master's in Nursing. After teaching BSN nursing students for three years and working as a Director of Nursing Services for two years, Ms. Brinson enrolled in the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and received a Juris Doctorate.
Ms. Brinson is a member of the State Bar of California. She has served as an in-house corporate attorney for Southern California Edison electric power company. Prior to becoming an in-house corporate attorney, she was a litigator in the State of California Compensation Insurance claims litigation unit located in Los Angeles, California. Her current practice of law specializes in risk management and medical malpractice.
Concurrent with practicing law, Ms. Brinson has maintained expertise in nursing by working as a charge nurse in emergency room nursing on a per diem basis. Most recently Ms. Brinson has served as an Administrative Hospital Supervisor for a 400 beds hospital. In addition she has taught at both the graduate and undergraduate university level. From 1980 to 1984 she was an Associate Professor in the University of Central Florida College of Health. She has also taught at California State University at Los Angeles. Ms. Brinson has published and is currently writing a book.
Ms. Brinson is an advocate for children. In 2002 she was awarded a Humanitarian Service Award from the Asbury Park-Neptune, New Jersey NAACP Chapter for her advocacy work with children and involvement with social justice efforts. She is a devout Catholic and supports several Catholic charities that feed and house children worldwide.