Former Mayor John Peyton, incoming chair of the JAX Chamber, was one of four hosts last week of Community Suppers.
The JAX Chamber and OneJax at the University of North Florida created the events to learn more about the community and encourage discussions about inclusion and diversity.
The seats for the April 19 suppers filled up in less than a day. JAX Chamber will post updates soon for the May Community Suppers.
April hosts and locations were Peyton at Town Hall in San Marco; WJCT President and CEO Michael Boylan at HobNob; OneJax Executive Director Nancy Broner at Blue Bamboo; and Kyle Reese, senior pastor of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church and a OneJax board member, at Hightide Burrito Co.
For more information, email [email protected]
Girardeau named to Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame
Dr. Arnett Girardeau of Jacksonville has been selected for the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
He’ll join two others chosen by Gov. Rick Scott for the honor. The Hall honors those making significant contributions to the improvement of life for minorities and all citizens of Florida.
Girardeau, 88, received a dental degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., and returned to Florida.
In 1976, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, serving until elected to the Florida Senate in 1982. He became the first African-American Senate pro tempore and was a founding member and chair of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators.
He also led civil rights movements as a founding member of the Jacksonville Anti-Poverty Program, vice president of the Jacksonville NAACP, president of the Community Urban Development Council and a member of the Mayor’s Task Force on East Jacksonville Civil Disorder.
Also chosen were Willie H. Williams, a former president of the Orange County NAACP, and the late Patricia Stephens Due, a prominent civil-rights activist.
Chamber hosting ‘Business of Inclusion’ forum
Florida Blue and the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council will sponsor “The Business of Inclusion Forum” on May 15, presented by the JAX Chamber.
Scheduled speakers are Rosa Beckett, CAO of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority; Kevin Dooley, global head of people engagement and marketing for Deutsche Bank in Jacksonville and in Cary, N.C.; Eric Mann, president and CEO of the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast; Nicole Thomas, hospital president of Baptist Medical Center South; Sabeen Perwaiz Syed, CEO of the Florida Nonprofit Alliance; and Darnell Smith, JAX Chamber chair and Florida Blue market president for the North Florida region.
The event is scheduled 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Ritz Theatre. The forum will explore inclusion in the workplace as an economic driver, and the focus is to identify and create a pathway for women and minorities to achieve leadership roles.
Speakers will talk about the challenges and opportunities associated with managing a diverse organization; how creating a flexible work environment encourages diversity; and the role an inclusive leadership team plays in enhancing an organization’s ability to meet the needs of its customers.
The cost is $25. For information, visit myjaxchamber.com.
Boat show now set for May
Current Productions has rescheduled the 21st Annual Southeast US Boat Show to May 19-21 at Metropolitan Park and Marina Downtown. The show was scheduled for last weekend, but canceled by the city in a dispute over reservations.
The three-day event features boats, marine accessories, fishing and boating safety seminars, a kids’ zone, food trucks and vendors. Hours will be noon-8 p.m. May 19, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. May 20 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 21. For information, visit southeastusboatshow.com.
Main Street America Group elevates 4
The Main Street America Group has promoted Tom Frazier, the company’s chief investment officer, to senior vice president. He has been a Main Street America vice president and its chief investment officer since 2011. Main Street America also appointed three of its functional unit directors as new company officers: Jim Kelly, director, commercial lines underwriting; Joe Schmucker, director, personal lines product development and underwriting; and James Vettel, director, information technology operations. All three will be an assistant secretary of the Jacksonville-based company.
Taras joins Capital Analysts
Mike Taras has joined Capital Analysts of Jacksonville as a financial adviser. He is a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in finance and financial services. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation, a retirement planning credential.
Food Park opens tonight
Regular dinner service will be offered at The Court Urban Food Park starting today. From 5-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, The Court Urban Food Park will feature multiple food trucks.
Tonight’s trucks will be Cuban Fire Grill, Wurstbrothers and WaugaWauga Food Truck. The court is along Hogan Street near Water Street and East Independent Drive. Metered parking is free after 6 p.m.
Players expands Uber ties
The Players Championship and the Uber ride-sharing service are expanding their relationship for the May 9-14 event.
Uber will have a designated pickup and dropoff area at the Sawgrass Marriott Conference Center. A shuttle to the golf tournament will run from the hotel to the Davis Love III Entry and back.
Free shredding on Saturday
Jax Federal Credit Union will host a free shred day Saturday for the public to securely dispose of documents with sensitive information. The event is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Jax Federal Credit Union, 562 Park St.
Cycle Up expands to Jacksonville
South Florida-based Cycle Up Supply Chain Services is expanding to Jacksonville. It signed a five-year lease for an 80,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution facility near JaxPort’s North Jacksonville marine terminals.
The company said the expansion brings a $1 million capital investment and creates 35 jobs.
It operates three other distribution centers around the country.