In The News
Stay updated on all of the current news and accomplishments of the MRLA and its professionals.
August 2021
7.27.21
We would like to congratulate MRLA steering committee member Amber Porter for successfully passing the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) exam.
The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification is the national standard for all parks and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession.
7.15.21
Special Thanks and Congratulations are in order to Mrs. Lakeidra Lee as she transitions into her new role at The Teal House as Forensic Interviewer and Family Advocate. In this role, Lakeidra will be working very close with the Law Enforcement and Department of Family and Children Services in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit in addition to providing additional support to the victims of violent crimes.
4.16.21
Doctoral Mom Incorporated is excited to announce that the Dorothy M. Thomas Scholarship is now open!
To qualify, the student must be a mother enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing a doctorate degree. This scholarship is funded by Dissertation by Design and the recipient will be awarded $2,000 and coaching services.
Deadline: 04/28/21
Application Link: www.doctoralmom.com/scholarships
Doctoral Mom Incorporated is a nonprofit that supports mothers in doctorate programs.
4.1.21
Shaunte’ Hardy serves as the Summer Camp Assistant Director for Bryan County Recreation in Richmond Hill, Georgia. She has been with the organization since July 2018, where she started at an Athletic Coordinator. She is also the Director of the Special Needs Basketball Camp.
Shaunte’ is the Project Manager for the Minority Recreational Leadership Academy and the Editor for the “Minorities in Parks & Rec” Newsletter. In March 2020, COVID-19 affected everyone’s lives across the world.
There were massive shutdowns of organizations in the United States. For Shaunte’ this happened at the beginning phases of the summer camp registration. Shaunte’ immediately began working on new protocols and procedures that would be implemented into their Summer Camp program.
The process took her many months and a lot of research. Shaunte’ believed that other recreation departments were having the same obstacles and knew they may benefit from a condensed version of her research.
In 2021, Shaunte’ began presenting her ‘Summer Camping in a Pandemic’ to recreation departments across the country. The response for the information and the request for her protocols and research were overwhelming. She has presented the information in conferences as far away as California and in the coming months, she will be conducting educational sessions in Georgia, North Carolina and New York.
In addition to ‘Summer Camping in a Pandemic’, she also has sessions on ‘Child Abuse Detection and Prevention’ and ‘Empowering Seasonal Workers to be Leaders’.
4.1.21
Leadership Spotlight - Henry W. Smith, MD
Dr. Smith is a graduate of Morehouse College and the Harvard Medical School. Outstanding clinic training and faculty experiences at Emory University combined with greater than 25 years of practice experience result in an emphasis on patient-centered care and excellent clinical outcomes.
As a past Chairman of the Cone Health Board of Trustees, Dr. Smith is dedicated to the institutional goal of top tier health care delivery.
Areas of Interest
Areas of interest include invasive and interventional management of acute coronary syndrome.
Education
Medical School
Harvard Medical School
Professional Memberships
Member of the American Heart Association
Fellow, American College of Cardiology
Board Certifications
Cardiovascular Diseases
Interventional Cardiology
3.24.21
A new episode of Open Space Radio is out now! On this episode, we're joined by Dr. Samose Mays, CPRP, CYSA, AFO, the director of Bryan County Parks and Recreation and Georgia Recreation and Park Association district two commissioner, to discuss his journey of going from experiencing homelessness to becoming the director of a park and recreation agency and a leader in his community, as well as how he is leading efforts to increase diverse representation within the park and recreation profession.
2.22.21
Be sure to tune in Tuesday Night February 23, 2021 at 8 pm for episode #5 on My2CentsMatter Podcast Show hosted by Terry Grubbs. In this episode, I will be interviewing Dr. Samose Mays as we discuss the Essence of Perseverance Remembering Your Why!
To learn more about the show, current, and past episodes, go to the My2CentsMatter website at www.my2centsmatter.com.
There you will be able to find all the episodes and purchase merchandise to support the show. If you want to talk more or have ideas for discussion, please email me at
tgrubbs@my2centsmatter.com or follow me on
Facebook.com/My2CentsMatter1
Twitter @My2CentsMatter2
Instagram @my2centsmatter3
https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1595560.rss
2.16.21
Leadership Spotlight
Coretta Brown
(Assistant Coach)
Georgia Southern Women's Basketball
Coretta Brown begins her second season on the Georgia Southern women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant for the 2019-20 season.Brown joined the Eagles after serving as an assistant coach at the University of West Alabama for two seasons. Prior to joining the Tigers staff, she started the women’s basketball program at Thomas University, serving as head coach for four seasons for the Nighthawks from 2012-16.
Brown also served as an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech University from 2009-12 and at Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta (2008-09). She also served as the women’s basketball administrative coordinator at Georgia Tech (2006-08) and as a WNBA intern in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (2005-06) following her playing career.
A four-year player at the University of North Carolina and a four-year veteran of the WNBA, Brown was a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference honoree and still holds the career record for three-point field goals (251) made at UNC, which is third in ACC history. She was team captain as a junior and senior, leading UNC to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2003.
Her 517 assists are third in Tarheel school history. She was selected 11th overall in the 2003 WNBA Draft by San Antonio before being traded to Indiana. Brown played three seasons with the Fever before playing her fourth and final season with the Chicago Sky.In addition, Brown played for Team USA at the FIBA World Championships in Russia and was a member of the Team USA practice squad in preparation for the Olympics.
Brown graduated from UNC with her bachelor’s degree in African American Studies in 2003.A Statesboro native, Brown was Georgia’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Southeast Bulloch HS, when she averaged 24.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Over her high school career, averaged 24.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists. She was a two-time Street & Smith’s All-America selection and was the Northland Cable Player of the Decade.
2.5.21
Parents:
Want your kids to be more active instead of being glued to their screens? Compromise! Look into active video games, like dancing or boxing games. And if you play along with them, you get the health benefits of physical activity, too. Check out the Move Your Way interactive infographic for parents and learn how your kids can get the recommended 60 minutes of activity a day
2.4.21
Leadership Spotlight - Shaunte' Hardy
Shaunte’ Hardy will be presenting “Summer Camping in the Midst of a Pandemic” at the 2021 California Parks and Recreations Society’s Conference & Expo, March 2021. Shaunte’ works as the Summer Camp Assistant Director at Bryan County Recreation. She is the Project Manager for the Minority Recreational Leadership Academy and serves as the Editor for the quarterly Minorities in Parks and Rec Newsletter. Shaunte’ is a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) and the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA). She is a Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) and an Aquatics Facilities Operator (AFO). COVID -19 shut down all activities at Bryan County Recreation in March 2020, right before the start of their Summer Camp registration season. Initially, the shut down and quarantine were thought to be short-lived, therefore preparation for Summer Camp continued. As the Assistant Director for the Bryan County Recreation Summer Camp, she understood adjustments would have to be made to make summer camp a possibility. She immediately began developing protocols and safety procedures by researching the CDC’s guidelines and through discussion with other Parks and Recreation professionals. This resulted in a 15 page document filled with new protocols, procedures and policies, specific to summer camp. She has now shared this information with county officials, as well as other recreation departments around the country. “Summer Camping in the Midst of a Pandemic” will give Summer Camp professionals an overview of how to have a fun Summer Camp season, while maintaining the health and safety of those in attendance.
1.28.21
We invite submissions that focus on a variety of areas in Parks and Recreation, but especially welcome descriptive articles that help document and reflect professional leadership and development.
Please send articles to mrlanewsletter@gmail.com for consideration. Minorities in Parks & Rec is a quarterly newsletter distributed by the Minority Recreational Leadership Academy.
1.24.21
Leadership Spotlight - Dr. Brittne Martin
Dr. Brittne Martin is the CEO of Ebbing
Forward, LLC, a virtual event and professional development firm that builds
custom environments. She has hosted thousands of webinars and virtual
conferences for global audiences spanning from 300 to 15,000 attendees.
Dr.
Martin has developed virtual programs for the American Marketing Association,
Adobe, Salesforce, Facebook, Marketo, Second City, Duke & Duck, Lucidpress,
and hundreds of other companies. She has over 10 years of experience in
marketing, business development, content creation, program management, and
social media.
Dr. Martin earned a Doctorate in Business
Administration with a Marketing concentration from Argosy University by
exploring social media users and employment trends. Brittne earned her MBA and
BBA from Saint Xavier University.
Nicknamed “Doctoral Mom” by her classmates,
she is the proud mother of 3-year old twins and a 1-year old. As a result of
her experience, Dr. Martin started an online support group that assists over
2,000 mothers in doctoral programs. She is a board member for Southern New
Hampshire University, Welcome to Fatherhood, and teaches graduate students at
National Louis University.
1.14.21
We’re
excited to announce that the Minority Recreational Leadership Academy has been recognized by Health.gov
as an NYSS Champion! We work to promote youth sports participation and support
the National Youth Sports Strategy. Learn more about what it means to be an
NYSS Champion: https://bit.ly/2RvORrL
1.09.21
Milwaukee's former Wahl Park officially renamed 'Harriet Tubman Park'
By: CBS 58 Newsroom
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Several community leaders in Milwaukee unveiled the sign for the new name of Wahl Park Wednesday, Jan. 6.It's been renamed after one of the most successful conductors of the underground railroad, Harriet Tubman.
The underground railroad was a network of secret routes and houses used to help enslaved people escape into free states and Canada. Tubman is credited with helping more than 13 missions and assisting in the freedom of more than 70 people." She did come through Milwaukee, we know it wasn't necessarily right here, but it was down by the bridge where you go under Fond du Lac," said Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Sequanna Taylor. "It's so incredible that the park was named after one of our heroes that Urban Underground, our name, is actually derived from," said Urban Underground co-founder Sharlen Moore.
This past September, Supervisor Taylor sponsored a resolution that officially renamed the park in honor of the abolitionist and political activist.
12.20.20
Leadership Spotlight Terry Lamonte
My Name is Terry Lamonte. I am a home town native from Statesboro, Georgia and was born December 30th, 1987. I am a master barber and a barber instructor along with obtaining a degree in business management from Ogeechee Technical College. I specialize in human resource management and leadership as well. I am the owner of Heavenly Pleasures Barber Shop located in Statesboro, Georgia which I received the award for "Best In The Boro" best barbershop for 2020. I also was the recipient of the "Discovering Bulloch Magazine Viewers Choice Award" for most amazing hairstylist award. I strive to help others reach their true potential in their life while spreading positivity. My goal is to one day open a barber school In Statesboro to help spread the education on barbering while training future barbers.
12.18.20
The MRLA would like to welcome Ms. Ashley Tremble-Hamer to the steering committee. In June of 2019, Ashley was named the Health, Physical Education and Athletics Program Coordinator for Savannah-Chatham County Schools. In this capacity she oversees the Health and Physical Education curriculum and middle school athletics for Savannah-Chatham County Schools. Although Ashley works diligently in the Savannah Chatham County School System, she is a caring soul who enjoys reading, spending time with her daughter and eating good food. She will make a positive impact with the MRLA.
12.16.20
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) and the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition have decided to recognize the MRLA as a National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) Champion in promoting youth sports participation and diversity through parks and recreation. This partnership is supported by The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
10.30.20
The World Conference of Mayors appointed Mr. A.D. Drew
as the Interim Executive Director, effective November 1,
2020. Mr. Drew comes to The WCM large variety of skills
and assets that will benefit The WCM. Drew is a native of
St. Louis, MO and is a graduate of Florida A&M University
(BS-Accounting) and Tuskegee University (MS-Agricultural
Economics).
Drew has worked as the Director of Parks &
Recreation for Turner County (GA) and Tuskegee (AL). In
addition, Drew has coached athletics on the university and
scholastic levels. He has worked on various political
campaigns, in the roles of a campaign manager, VoteBuilder
expert, marketing specialist, and other roles. Drew also
currently serves as a Vice-President for the Jericho Broadcast
Network (JBN) and an Executive Producer for the Black
College Sports Network (a division of the JBN). Drew has
previous experience with The WCM as their webmaster.
Drew has conducted research on various publications and has
presented studies and research at multiple conferences.
Drew is a member of multiple professional organizations
including the Minority Recreation Leadership Academy,
National Association of County Recreation Officials,
National Recreation & Parks Association, and National
Alliance of Youth Sports. Drew will serve top liaison for
multiple projects that The WCM currently has open and for
future projects. Drew will bring expertise in areas such as
marketing, grant writing, administration, and other areas.
10.27.20
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest across the county, Morehouse School of Medicine welcomed its largest entering MD class ever as 105 future health leaders – including 51 Black/African American men – started their virtual orientation, the beginning of a journey that will lead them into a brave new world of health care.
10.27.20
DeKalb Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs joins the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This distinguished accomplishment was awarded during the “2020 NRPA Annual Conference: A Virtual Experience.” (Pictured: Recreation Supervisor Corlan Beasley)
