Edith C. Bush

Arts & Culture

Being raised in segregated Alabama didn't discourage Edith Bush from advocating for social equality. Her father was a community activist and president of the local NAACP, so Edith learned at an early age the power of fighting for change. In 1971 she established the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coordinating Committee, an organization in West Palm Beach that promotes Dr. King's legacy through cultural activities, art exhibits and youth programs. Knowing that knowledge brings power, Edith helped establish the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County and is an active member of the Black Educators Caucus. Even with all that she has accomplished, Edith doesn't believe in slowing down. She is an avid volunteer, working up to 10 hours a day promoting education, helping homebound seniors and enriching the lives of children through cultural programs. A lifelong activist with a strong faith and rich heritage, Edith remains committed to being a catalyst for social change in South Florida.

Darryl Holsendolph

Business & Entrepreneurism

A respected business leader, Darryl Holsendolph strives to show others through words and actions that anything is possible with hard work. He is the founder and president of Holsen Inc. Merchandising, a special events and promotional products company and 2008 "Small Business of the Year" winner for the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce. Darryl has worked with a variety of professional sports franchises in South Florida, and earned event contracts with the Orange Bowl, Super Bowl and 1996 Olympics. Through his efforts to become one of the largest merchandising companies, he brought a voice to other minority-owned businesses. Darryl is a pioneer in the community and has never forgotten his roots. The product of an underserved urban school, he knows firsthand the struggles faced by today's youth. He partners with the South Florida Workforce Summer Youth Employment program to help motivate at-risk teens to pursue their dreams by creating job opportunities and sharing his passion for business. According to Darryl, working with and mentoring children is one of the keys to making South Florida a better place to live.

Dr. Dorothy Jackson Orr, Ed.D.

Community Service

Growing up, Dr. Dorothy Orr did not let poverty define her life or her future. Inspired by her teachers, who were among her most memorable role models, Dr. Orr knew from an early age she was meant to be an educator. Her mother also fostered in her a drive to learn, encouraging her daughter to read a book or Bible passage weekly and discuss it with the family. Dr. Orr's success in the classroom and later as a principal led to an unexpected calling. She was appointed by the school board as the first black female board member of the Broward Teachers Credit Union, now Bright Star Credit Union, a position she still proudly holds. Serving on the board also included the chance for a different type of education. Dr. Orr became an advocate to young adults in the black community about the importance of sound financial practices. Her leadership was acknowledged with multiple accolades, including the National Credit Union Award and induction into the Credit Union Hall of Fame. Today, Dr. Orr continues to be inspired by her belief that the community has one responsibility that must be fulfilled together — the education and development of our children.

Samuel Bruce McDonald

Education

Samuel Bruce McDonald continues to be guided by the message his mother taught him as a child growing up in West Palm Beach. She often said, "You can do anything anyone else can, you are a man among men, and you happen to be black." That lesson had a profound impact on Samuel Bruce's chosen path in life, to be an educator. Samuel Bruce began his distinguished career as a teacher in 1956 after graduating college and serving two years in the U.S. Army. His commitment to the profession and to breaking down barriers was rewarded with new opportunities, including becoming an assistant principal in West Palm Beach and later one of the first black principals in the county, at Boca Raton's first junior high school. He served as the school's principal for six years before earning a prestigious position as district superintendent until his retirement in 1984. With each new role during his 30-year tenure, Samuel Bruce remained true to his teaching philosophy — to help every student reach beyond their immediate grasp.

Jason Green

Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever Award

Presented by The Jim Moran Foundation, Inc., with funding provided through the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at Florida State University, each year a high school senior who qualifies for financial aid and has applied and received admission to FSU, receives a four-year, needs-based scholarship.

The Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever Award is in tribute to our 1995 African-American Achiever who passed away in 1997. Gray was an accomplished lawyer for the Florida Department of Education and founded Broward County's first black Republican organization. He was volunteer general counsel for a local chapter of the NAACP and active in the Broward Bar Association. Gray is also remembered for inspirational talks he gave to students statewide about the importance of community involvement. While he is no longer with us, his legacy of leadership lives on.