MCDC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Community-MINDED. Future-FOCUSED.
MR. PERCY L.WILLIAMSON, Sr.
Chairman
Percy Williamson is a Daytona Beach native with extensive Public / Private and Community Grass Roots experience who launched a new consulting firm in November 2019 called Summit Governmental Strategies, Inc. where he currently serves as the company’s Senior Principle. Mr. Williamson spent 15 years as Director of Leisure Services for The City of Daytona Beach, retiring in January 2018. During the height of his tenure, he directed a 120 member professional staff and managed a multi-million dollar annual budget for the city’s 3rd largest municipal department.
Prior to his public sector position with The City of Daytona Beach, Mr. Williamson had a 25-year career in the banking industry working for two of the nations largest banks in the country: Wells Fargo Bank where he served as Vice President and Regional Relationship Manager of its Community Development Division, and Bank of America, where he served as Vice President and State Manager of the Community Development Finance Group. Mr. Williamson oversaw community development projects throughout the State of Florida.
Mr. Williamson is a Graduate of Bethune Cookman University with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. He is also a Graduate of Leadership Jacksonville, as well as a Graduate of Leadership Daytona Beach.
You may contact Mr. Williamson at: mcdc.williamson@gmail.com
MR. thaddeus L. collins
Vice Chairman
Thaddeus L. Collins received the Bachelor Degree from the University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) in education and psychology and the Master of Science (M.S.Ed) and Specialist of Education (S.Ed) from Jackson State University (Jackson, MS) in early childhood education.
Mr. Collins is a retired educator with Volusia County School District and served as an adjunct instructor at several institutions of higher learning in Mississippi and Florida, namely: Delta State University (Cleveland, Mississippi); Mississippi Valley State University (Itta Bena, Mississippi); Jackson State University (Jackson, Mississippi); Daytona Beach Community College (Daytona Beach, Florida); Bethune Cookman College (Daytona Beach, Florida); and University Central Florida (Orlando, Florida).
Mr. Collins is also the president and chief executive officer of T & J Collins Group, LLC., a privately held company, that at one time owned a consulting company, four child care facilities, a transportation company, a janitorial company and a management/investment company with branch offices in Quincy, Florida, and Jackson, Mississippi.
Thaddeus L. Collins & Associates (consulting firm) was/is the flagship company (founded in November, 1975) of the group and is one of two companies that’s still owned by Mr. Collins. The company provides training for early childhood professionals for certification and self assessment training for centers and schools for national accreditation. The firm develops proposals for prospective Charter Schools and serves as the Educational Service Providers (ESP) when requested. In addition, training is provided in areas including, but not limited to: sexual harassment, customer service and ethics in the workplace to government agencies, institutions of higher learning, and child care facilities.
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Mr. Collins still owns the management/investment company which owns and manages rental property in Daytona Beach and Quincy, Florida, and handles the personal investments of him and his wife.
Mr. Collins is very involved in his community through civic, religious and fraternal organizations. He is a long time member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. where he has served in numerous leadership positions, including: Basileus, Vice- Basileus, Keeper of Finance. He also co-founded the fraternity’s 501(c)3 organization (Omicron Omicron Scholarship & Benevolence Fund Inc.) and serves as president. Currently, he serves with Iota Kappa Kappa, in DeLand, FL. He is a long time member of the executive board of the Daytona Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and chairs the education and economic development committees; a member of Beta Xi Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Boule’). He is a Trustee at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, heads the security ministry, serves as a member of the finance committee and conducts classes in financial management for church members and community. He serves on the board of directors (Vice- Chairman) for Mid-town Community Development Corporation, Inc., Advisory Board Non Degree Programs Daytona State College, Member (Chairman of education committee) Volusia African America Leadership Council (VAALC), Chairman, Volusia Neighbors, a political action committee (PAC).
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He is married to the former Juanita Bradley, and they have three adult children (one deceased) and four grandchildren.
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Ms. donna m. gray-banks
Chief Executive Officer
Donna M. Gray-Banks is the Founder and Director of the F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival (Fiction, Romance, Erotica, Spiritual and Health), one of the largest book festivals for minority self-published authors in Florida. The Festival began in 2011 and the City of Daytona Beach began sponsorship of the Festival in 2012. Gray-Banks is the author of a very successful suspense erotic trilogy, Ila’s Diamonds I, II, and III and is currently working on her IV novel The House That Jack Built. Donna is a guest columnist for Blackmeninamerica.com, the Daytona Times/Courier Newspaper and is a Book Broker.
Gray-Banks is the Executive Director of the Midtown Community Development Corporation in Daytona Beach, FL; Co-Chair of the Florida Brownfields Association Environmental Justice Committee' and is the host of a weekly zoom-cast “Zoom In On A F.R.E.S.H. Conversation” Monday nights from 8-9 PM.
Donna is the proud Mother of Gregory Taylor Banks and resides in the beautiful City of Palm Coast, FL.
Contact Information:
You may contact Ms. Gray-Banks at: mcdced2020@gmail.com
mr. kenneth allen
Chief Financial Officer
Kenneth Allen was born and raised in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg, Florida. Moved to Daytona Beach, FL where he attended Bethune-Cookman University and received his B.S. degree in Finance and Accounting. He started off as a work-study employee working in the Accounting department. Upon graduation, he was promoted to full time where he worked alongside the Director of Finance with budgeting and other areas in the department. After working with BCU, Kenneth moved his talents and is currently employed as a Corporate Accountant at Brown & Brown, Inc., where he exercises skills as an accomplished communicator with excellent organizational and time management. He is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Alpha Pi National Society of Leadership and Success. Enjoys family time with his wife and two kids, sports, and music. A quote he lives by everyday is "In order to succeed, your desire for success has to be greater than your fear of failure."
You may contact Mr. Allen at: kenneth.allen0822@gmail.com
Mrs. amina milam
Recording Secretary
Amina Milam is the wife and mother of five. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Bethune-Cookman University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership specializing in 21st Century Learning from Ashford University. She has been an educator for 17 years. She is also the CEO and founder Young Stars Customs LLC, as well as, the co-founder of Lion’s Pride 8 LLC, Lion’s Den Mobile Cigar Lounge, and Play Time Game Rentals. She has a passion for the uplifting of her community, its children, and its people which led to her coming together with a group of her peers to start an investment group and a non-profit. She is the President of Fresh Kidz non-profit (filings pending) and co-owner of Fresh Kidz Cleaning LLC.
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You may contact Mrs. Milam at: amina_norman@hotmail.com
MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH US
Ms. laquetta mcgill
Board Member
LaQuetta McGill is the Vice President of VyStar Credit Union’s Daytona Beach Branch located in Daytona Beach, FL. LaQuetta graduated from Columbia Southern University with a Business Administration degree. With over 17 years of sales and financial experience, LaQuetta enjoys educating members on financial literacy and assisting them with their financial needs. She currently serves on the City of Daytona Beach’s Affordable Housing Committee and the Midtown Community Development Board. She’s the mother of two sons, and in her spare time she enjoys reading, fishing, and attending various sporting events.
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You may contact Ms. McGill at: mcdc.mcgill@gmail.com
dr. aubrey long
Board Member
Dr. Aubrey E. Long, has served Bethune-Cookman University in several different capacities (Vice President for the Division of Business and Community Development, Dean of the School of Business, Professorship of the College of Business) Dr. Long earned a B.S. degree from Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee, a M.S. degree from the University of Tennessee, and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. He has been listed in Who’s Who Among Young Professionals, Black Professionals in Business and served as a consultant for various organizations and groups. He was appointed State Coordinator for Entrepreneurial Development Institute (EDI) by the Federal Highway Administration.
Among his corporate professional experiences, Dr. Long has worked as an Analytical Technician with Proctor and Gamble; Research Specialist with Corning Glass Works and as a Marketing/Software Support Specialist with UNISYS Corporation. His illustrious career in higher education spans an amazing 40+ years of accomplishments. Dr. Long has served as Assistant Dean of the School of Business and Industry at Florida A & M University, Department Chair at Bishop College, and has taught business and business related courses at the University of Tennessee, St. Augustine’s College and King’s College. He recently retired from BCU after serving 30 ½ years, the majority of that time was spent as the Dean of The School of Business. Having a gift for conducting and heading research Dr. Long has worked with the National Center for Research in Vocational-Technical Education, NASA in Greenbelt, Maryland, and the Atomic Energy Commission in Livermore, California.
In addition to his professional accomplishments and obligations, Dr. Long is civically engaged in the Daytona Beach, Volusia County, FL community. He has made the time throughout his career to serve on several community boards and organizations which included the Board of Directors for PACE Center for Girls (Chaired), the Board of Directors for the Daytona Beach/Halifax area Chamber of Commerce, the Easter Seal Society of Volusia and Flagler Counties, the Volusia/Halifax Junior Achievement Board of Directors, Mid-Florida Housing Partnership, Inc. (Chaired), Halifax Medical Center Foundation Board, United Way Board of Directors, FHCP Advisory Board, Checkered Flag Committee, Children Advocacy Center Board, (Chaired), CareerSource Volusia/Flagler Board (Exe. Board) Co-Chair the Business Development Committee (BDC), Kiwanis, Volusia Volunteers in Medicine Board, Daytona Beach YMCA Corporate Board and liaison for the National Urban League Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) of New York.
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Dr. Long is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and Ancient City Prince Hall Shriners. Dr. Long is married to Cheryl Grimes Long with three (3) children Aubrey II, Aleia, and Aushawn and his greatest accomplishments to date are four loving granddaughters Kiyah, Brieylle, Arieyah, Liela and one handsome grandson Callen.
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You may contact Dr. Long at: mcdc.long@gmail.com
ms. sandy murphy
Board Member
Sandy Murphy moved to Daytona Beach in 2014, drawn by the location, the affordability and the sense of place. Her background is in planning and development, specifically focused in low-income communities. She spent 10 years as Executive Director of a bi-county Pennsylvania anti-poverty agency which operated emergency energy and weatherization programs, an emergency shelter, a transitional shelter, a drop-in center for the mentally ill and a Second Harvest regional food bank. Following that, she became Executive Vice President of a statewide community development corporation, loaning funds for affordable housing and small business development, packaging SBA loans, training and supporting local affordable housing developers and developing a few small affordable housing projects in-house. Since then, she has been self-employed, consulting for national non-profits, state government, community-based organizations and individuals. She’s done a variety of work as a contracted administrative professional, including grant- and report- writing, staff selection and 501c3 & c4 applications.
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Murphy graduated with a B.A. from Pennsylvania State University and is a certified Community Economic Development Professional. She is a married mother of two young adults, and resides in a renovated 1950’s home in the Shulte Park neighborhood of Daytona Beach.
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You may contact Mrs. Murphy at: smurphy.mcdc@gmail.com
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mrs. carolyn sanders-james
Board Member
Carolyn Sanders-James was born Carolyn Cain in Orangeburg, South Carolina, a place she would spend her childhood years before moving to New York at an early age. She attended Dunton Memorial School, Sharperson Junior High School, Wilkinson High School. She would later graduate from George W. Wingate High School and Pace University in New York City and attend Long Island University.
For 25 years, Carolyn spent her life as a public servant for the City as she worked on Wall Street for seventeen years and then the City Government for an additional twenty-five years. Due to her career path and dedication to the City of New York, she played an instrumental role in the stabilization of New York City after the tragedy of 9-11, 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, 1996 Flight 800 Crash in Long Island as well as 2009 Crash on the Hudson River. Her commitment was unwavering, especially in the midst of adversity. In 2017 Sanders-James wrote her first book, Finding My Way and Making My Mark: The Memoir of Carolyn Sanders-James, to tell her life story and inspire change in others through wisdom. In 2020, she followed with a children’s book, House on Maxcy Street, adapted from her childhood experience in the South and how a family used laughter, fun, and unity to overcome the challenges of life and to show the importance of being together.
Now retired, Carolyn spends her time on several local non-profit organization boards as she extends her impact to the Central Florida area. During this time, she submitted a now approved Beautification Plan by the City of Daytona Beach for Dr. Mary McLeod Boulevard, which is nearby Bethune-Cookman University and Ridgewood Avenue. Also, Carolyn has spent her time volunteering at the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune National Historic Landmark in Daytona Beach, Florida, during the week since 2013.
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You may contact Mrs. Sanders-James at: cjames.mcdc@gmail.com
ms. edith shelley
Board Member
Edith Shelley believes in serving her community. From tutoring students in local schools to Chairing the Daytona Beach Vision Steering Committee, she has enthusiastically worked to improve the lives of the citizens of Volusia County.
She was appointed to the Daytona Beach Planning Board in 1992, serving as Chairman for 10 of those years and also served on the Daytona Beach Downtown Redevelopment Board. In 2010 Edith was elected to the Daytona Beach City Commission by the residents of Zone 1. After serving for two years she resigned her commission seat to run for Mayor of Daytona Beach.
When Mike Chitwood was elected Sheriff of Volusia County he asked Edith to set up a Foundation to support the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. That Foundation was established as a 501c3 and she was elected Chairman by her fellow Board members. She also serves as a member of the Daytona Beach Police Foundation Board, Halifax Health Foundation Board, the Volusia County Planning Commission, the Volusia County UCF Business Incubator Board and Habitat for Humanity Family Selection Committee.
She has served as a member of the Volusia County Schools Impact Fee Committee, Bethune Cookman University Performing Arts Center Board, Volusia County Cultural Council and the Mary Baldwin University Executive Board in Staunton, Virginia.
Edith has received numerous awards for her community and public service including:
-The Garden Clubs of America Civic Improvement Award
-NAACP Volusia Daytona Beach Chapter Trail Blazer Award
-Surfcoast Chapter of the Florida Planning and Zoning Association Focus Award
-Captain “Tiger” Mayberry Marine Corps L:eagle Detachment 658 – Honorary Member
-Viet Nam Veterans of America Chapter 1048 – outstanding support and commitment to veterans
-Juneteenth Hometown Hero
Edith is the Owner/Manager of The Shelley Company LLC. Originally from San Antonio, Edith graduated from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business with a degree in Business Administration.
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You may contact Ms. Shelley at: edithshelley.mcdc@gmail.com
ms. cynthia slater
Board Member
Cynthia Slater is a life-long resident of Daytona Beach, Florida. She graduated from Mainland Senior High School in Daytona Beach in the Class of 1974. Cynthia was accepted into Bethune-Cookman College in January 1975, where she majored in Physical Education. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education in 1979 and graduated Cum Laude.
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Upon graduation, Cynthia worked for the Volusia County Public School System as a Jr. High School Physical Education teacher and coach. Cynthia taught and coached Jr. High PE for 3 years and became employed with the State Department of Education-Daytona Beach Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired as a Recreation Therapist. Cynthia retired from the Rehabilitation Center in February 2019 (36 years) as a Senior Human Services Program Manager where she supervised instructional staff for the past 15 years.
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In addition to receiving a BS in Physical Education, Cynthia received a M.S.Ed. in Special Education: Visual Disabilities in 1992, from Florida State University, a Master of Science Degree in Teacher Leadership in 2010 from Walden University, and completed coursework in the Doctoral program at Walden University-Higher Education and Adult Learning (HEAL).
Cynthia is a member of the Allen Chapel AME Church Board of Stewards, member of the Daytona Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and president of the Volusia County Daytona Beach NAACP (20 years). She was former Vice President for the Florida State Conference NAACP, Board Member/Board of Directors-Conklin Center for the Multi-Handicapped Blind; Bethune Cookman University Community Roundtable; Bethune Cookman College (University) Advisory Board; Co-Chair, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee; and the City of Daytona Beach Mayor’s Alliance Board under former Mayor Glenn Ritchey (to name a few).
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Awards and recognition include Bethune-Cookman College (University) Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award, Centennial Luminary Award - The Bethune-Cookman College Bronze Statue Project, Distinguished Alumni of Bethune-Cookman College (University), Branch President of the Year for the Florida State Conference NAACP, and the Outstanding Community Leadership Award to name a few. Cynthia was also recognized in April 2011 as one of the top 30 Power People listed in the April addition of the Floridian View magazine. She has one adult daughter, Keona Slater-Barnwell and son-n-law, Sean.
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You may contact Ms. Slater at: mcdc.cynslat@gmail.com
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ms. gina m. stafford
Board Member
Gina M. Stafford is a native Floridian. She attended Volusia County Schools then completed her Associate of Arts Degree at Daytona Beach Community College. She continued to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Webster University.
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Gina has been employed with Daytona Beach Community College/Daytona State College for 27 years, where she is currently the Associate Director of Academic Services, serving as a grant project director.
In addition to serving on the Midtown Community Development Corporation Board, Ms. Stafford is the Vice President and the Co-Chair for the “Dream It Be It” program with Soroptimist International of the Greater Daytona Beach Area. She is a board member for WITNEST (Women in Transition Now Establishing Support for Themselves) Inc., a shelter for single women, and the former Scholarship Chair for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration for Florida Committee.
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You may contact Ms. Stafford at mcdc.stafford@gmail.com.