2015 40 Under 40 INDUCTEES
Ms. Raquel Tapia is from St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, by way of Orlando, Florida. She is a 2008 graduate and holds a dual master’s degree from UCF. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is employed with the Foundation for Foster Children where she serves as the Education Program Manager and as an adjunct professor at B-CU.
Raquel Tapia
Dr. Gregory Drane is a Miami, Florida native and 2002 graduate. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and husband and father. Currently, he serves as the Director of Athletic Bands at Penn State University and is the only African-American to hold this position in the Big 10 Athletic Conference.
Gregory Drane
Mr. Eugene Pringle, Jr. is a Beaufort, South Carolina native, but currently resides in Orlando, FL. He is a 2011 graduate and works with Orange County Public Schools as a Literacy Instructional Coach and Reading Specialist. He has gone on to receive a Master of Education from Nova Southeastern University.
Eugene Pringle, Jr.
Ms. Ericka Perry is a 2008 graduate and is the personification of the modern day businesswoman. She is a wife, mother and entrepreneur. She started her own company, MommyMaiDD in 2012 and works as the Creative Strategist and Founder of MommyTummys Apparel. She also holds her master’s degree from Walden University.
Ericka Perry
Dr. Peterkin is a former Miss B-CU, a 2010 graduate and a current general dentist with Birner Dental Management Services - PERFECT TEETH in Surprise, Arizona. Dr. Peterkin has gone on to receive a Master’s Degree at Midwestern University – Arizona, and a Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Illinois.
Jessica Peterkin
Ms. Erica Solomon is a 2010 graduate from Columbia, South Carolina. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and works as the Night-Side Assignment Editor at NBC WXIA in Atlanta, GA, which is the 9th market in the country.
Erica Solomon
Mr. Andrew Bello hails from Boston, MA and is a 2008 graduate. Upon graduation, he moved to Nashville, TN, obtained his master’s degree from Lipscomb University, and became a special education teacher, Athletic Director and Head Baseball coach for Hillsboro High School.
Andrew Bello
Ms. Sapp is a 2011 graduate and Ft. Lauderdale, FL native. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and holds a Master of Social Work degree from UCF, and has obtained licensure in the state of Florida. She currently is a program therapist and medical social worker for Halifax Behavioral Services and Brooks Americare Home Health.
Janae Sapp
A 2003 graduate, Dr. Tashna Felix is from Spanish Town, Jamaica by way of Miami, Florida. Dr. Felix earned her doctorate degree from the American School of Professional Psychology in 2009. Dr. Felix is the owner and director of Professional Psychological Services, located in Washington, D.C. and is licensed to practice in Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Florida.
Tashna Felix
Ms. Franklin is a 2012 graduate. Since graduating, she has obtained two Master’s degrees. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and currently resides in Boston where she works with The Boston Foundation through the Success Boston program.
Portsha Patrice Franklin
A 2000 graduate, Mrs. Wright-Greene is the founder of Heritage Salon, the nation's only magazine devoted to African-American Museums, historic sites/homes and cultural institutions. She is a wife, mother, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is currently pursuing a second Master's Degree in Museum Studies & Nonprofit Management at Johns Hopkins University.
Jada Wright-Greene
Mrs. Lewis-Hamilton is a 2001 graduate. She currently serves as the Partnership Manager for the United Way of Escambia County in Pensacola, Florida and is an active member of the NAACP, Gulf Coast African American Chamber of Commerce, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Marlena Lewis-Hamilton
Ms. McCoy is a 2001 graduate of B-CU. Upon graduation, she received a BS in Nursing from Drexel University. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a devout mother to one daughter. Ms. McCoy is a certified Oncology Clinical Research Nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City and is the first African-American to serve in this role.
Asia McCoy
David Pierre-Louis is a 2004 graduate. In 2008, David opened and operated LUCID Lounge, a premiere Seattle venue, and has also found and operates DICUL, a spirits brand. He is dedicated to cultivating community action and advocating for social change throughout the country his native country of Haiti.
David Pierre-Louis
Noell Allen is 2002 graduate. Upon graduating, she went on to receive her JD from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2007. Currently, she is an Administrative Law Judge with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, professor, business owner, wife, and mother of one girl and expected twins in spring 2016.
Noell Allen
Brian Barker is a 2002 graduate. He is a full-time faculty member at DePaul University's School of Hospitality Leadership and brings over 13 years of industry experience to his current role. Mr. Barker obtained a MA from DePaul University in 2011. He also attained his Certified Hospitality Educator certification from American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute in 2013. Accepting Mr. Barker’s award on his behalf is fellow 40 Under 40 classmate, Ms. Asia McCoy.
Brian Barker
Mr. Aunusionwu, an accomplished past student-athlete, is a 2010 graduate of B-CU. He is also a 2014 graduate of FAMU’s School of Law and is currently the owner of the Law Offices of K.H.A., a boutique law firm in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Anusionwu is also a member of a number of bar associations.
Kene Anusionwu
A 2000 graduate of B-CU, Mr. Feacher is the current City Manager of Winter Haven, FL. Mr. Feacher is the first minority and one of the youngest men to be named to this position. He is a husband, father, member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and a life member of the B-CU NAA.
Deric Feacher
Hailing from New Brunswick, New Jersey, Mr. Butler is a 2003 graduate. He started his own music ministry known as The DMB Project and has written and performed for artists such as Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Fred Hammond. Currently, Mr. Butler is the Associate Director of Admissions Relations at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a devout husband and father.
Darnel Butler
Born and raised in south Florida, Ms. Duval graduated from B-CU in 2012. She later received her M.B.A. from Brenau University. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and works as a Transportation Specialist for the US Department of Transportation.
Tracy Duval
Mark Luckie is a 2005 graduate of B-CU. He is a career journalist and author of The Digital Journalist's Handbook and DO U., his newest novel. A former Manager of Journalism & News at Twitter, Mr. Luckie also holds a Master’s Degree from Berkeley University.
Mark Luckie
Born in Orlando, FL, Mr. Peterkin is a 2010 and 2012 graduate of B-CU, obtaining the latter in Transformative Leadership. Currently, he is a doctoral student in music education and assistant gospel choir director at Arizona State University. He is a devout husband and lover of music.
Tavious Peterkin
Patrick Brown is a 2005 School of Business graduate. He currently works as a Regional Director, Supply Chain Operations for Tenet Healthcare. He is past member of the Fighting Wildcats football team, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and holds a MBA from Mercer University. He is also a husband and father of three.
Patrick Brown
Born and raised in the quaint settlement of Sea Grape, Freeport, Bahamas, Mr. Harvey is a 2013 graduate. He is employed as a Social Worker with the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development and also serves as the first youngest elected official to represent the community of Sea Grape. He is also currently in pursuit of his Master’s Degree.
Jaron Harvey
Ms. Braynen is a 2014 graduate. Hailing from the Bahamas, she currently lives in Singapore and is a Senior Auditor at Microsoft. Before joining Microsoft, Ms. Braynen interned in B-CU Fiscal Affairs, B-CU Admissions office, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Bank of the Bahamas. Accepting her award on her behalf is her family member, Ms. Brittni Degraffenreid.
Shantel Braynen
Dr. Angela Austin, a former Miss B-CU, is a proud 2000 graduate. She is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and the founder, CEO, and owner of Alexandria Children's Dentistry and Alexandria Kids Dentistry. Dr. Austin is a mother of baby girl, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and one of the Top Dentists as selected by the prestigious, Washingtonian Magazine.
Angela Austin
Dr. Raymond was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and graduated from B-CU in 2005. Dr. Raymond currently serves as a Business Manager at the NASA Kennedy Space Center. He received a Master’s from Florida Institute of Technology in 2009 and earned a Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in May 2015. Dr. Raymond is also an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Xaivian Raymond
A 1999 graduate of B-CU, Dr. Tamil Perry Lloyd, later earned her Master’s from Webster University in 2001 and her Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in 2013. She currently serves as the Director of Public Affairs at Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. In addition to reaching out and giving back, she is a wife and mother.
Tamil Perry-Lloyd
Hailing from Miami, Florida, Ms. Britnee Cunningham is a 2012 graduate. Currently, Ms. Cunningham serves as a 4th grade instructor for Robles Elementary School in the Hillsborough County School District. She has also been selected as her school site’s Teacher of the Year and Ida S. Baker Educator of the Year award for 2015-2016.
Britnee Cunningham
Marcus McCoy is a two-time degree holder from B-CU, graduating in 2011 and 2012. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education at Liberty University. Additionally, Mr. McCoy serves as the Director of Faith Based Initiatives for Step Up For Students and is the International President of the International Armor Bearers Young People’s Union.
Marcus McCoy, Jr.
Hailing from the outskirts of Gainesville, Florida, Mr. Anthony Johnson is a 2005 graduate of B-CU. Mr. Johnson received his Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2009 and is currently enrolled in Nova’s Doctoral Program. Currently, Mr. Johnson works as an Elementary Education/Reading Instructor at B-CU and is also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Anthony Johnson
Mr. Alton Bolden is a 1998 graduate. He serves as the Principal for the Piney Grove Boys Academy in Broward County. Mr. Bolden also holds a Master’s degree and is a husband, father of six, and role model for the youth and specifically, young men.
Alton Bolden
Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Attorney Brooker is a 2001 graduate of B-CU. He went on to obtain his law degree from Texas Southern University in 2007. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. the Texas Bar Association and is a husband and father of two.
Quinon Brooker
Dr. Felecia Boyd is an Orlando, Florida native and 1998 graduate. She received her Masters from FAMU in 2000, her Educational Specialist Degree from Argosy University in 2005 and her Doctorate from Argosy in 2012. Dr. Boyd is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and currently serves as the Assistant Director at Mid Florida Tech.
Felecia Boyd
Born and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, Darnell Lamont Walker is a 2005 graduate of B-CU. Mr. Walker later obtained a Masters Degree from B-CU and earned his PhD from Howard University. Mr. Walker is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. author, filmmaker, actor, producer, director, and screenwriter. Most recently, he received three Emmy nominations, and won two.
Darnell Lamont Walker
A 2005 graduate of B-CU, Attorney Leigh-Ann Buchanan currently serves as a business litigation attorney with Berger Singerman LLP. She is the Founder and advisory board chair of the International Human Factor Youth Leadership Program. Additionally, Attorney Buchanan was appointed to serve on the American Bar Association’s Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice as vice-chair.
Leigh-Ann Buchanan
A native of Portsmouth, Virginia, Jared Yancey is a 2005 graduate. He is a tenured member of the U.S. Foreign Service and currently serves as a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Yancey is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and devout husband. Accepting his award on his behalf is fellow alumnus, Mr. Jeff Branch.
Jared Yancey
Ms. Maulana Dotch is a 2002 graduate. She is the 1st African American woman in Texas and 2nd African American woman in America to earn her Class A, PGA Membership. Currently, she is the Assistant Golf Professional/Director of Instruction at Cedar Crest Golf Course. In addition, she is a member of the PGA, LPGA and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Maulana Dotch
A 2006 graduate of B-CU, Senator Shamfa Cudjoe is a native of Trinidad & Tobago. She obtained a Master of Science in International Trade Policy at the University of the West Indies. Senator Cudjoe was recently appointed as the Minister of Tourism for the People’s National Party and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Senator Cudjoe could not be here with us tonight, so the Office of Alumni Affairs will accept her award on her behalf.
Shamfa Cudjoe
Shamfa Cudjoe
Ms. Kari Cobham is a Trinidad-born, Georgia-based writer, editor and social media strategist. A 2006 graduate, Ms. Cobham also holds a master’s from UCF. Ms. Cobham serves as the social media analyst for Cox Media Group’s TV stations and is a former award-winning journalist at The Daytona Beach News-Journal