Candidate's Statement
2806 27th Ct E
Palmetto FL 34221
PROFILE
Dr. Gwendolyn Y. Brown was elected the first Black County Commissioner in 1994 to serve Manatee County District 2, and is currently serving as the first Black Chairman of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners. As a County Commissioner, she also serves on the Manatee County Port Authority and Manatee County Civic Center Authority. Commissioner Brown received her AA Degree in Liberal Arts from Manatee County College, her BS Degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University and her Masters Degree from Nova University in Administration Supervision/Early Childhood. She received her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership/Early Childhood from Nova University, June 30, 2007.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Chairman, Board of County Commissioners, 2009
State College of Florida, Adjunct Professor, 2008 – present – teaches Early Childhood and Management Classes
Headstart, 1974 – 2002, Executive Director, 1991 – 2002
Nova Southeastern University, Professor 2003 – 2005 – AA Degree Program and Masters Program at the Bradenton site. Taught Parent Involvement, Multicultural and Emerging Literacy Classes
Children’s Academy, Operational Manager, 2003 – 2006
COMMUNITY
Democratic Women’s Club of Manatee County; Trustee – Turners Chapel A.M.E.; Gamma Rho Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; Leadership Manatee Alumni; CEO Roundtable; Joint Planning Committee; and accomplished speaker for various organizations.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Received numerous awards and recognition from community agencies
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Push for Prescription Card Program for Manatee County citizens regardless of economic status
Numerous accomplishments can be attributed to working within the community and for the community
PUBLIC SERVICE
Board of County Commissioners, since 1994
Chairman, 2009; Chairman, November 2008
Port Authority, since 1994
First Vice Chairman, 2007; First Vice Chairman, 2006
Civic Center Authority, since 1994
Chairman, 2008; Third Vice Chairman, 2007
Enterprise Zone Development Agency
Chairman, 1999 – 2009
Public Safety Coordinating Council
Chairman, 2003; Chairman, 1996
Community Redevelopment Agency
Vice Chairman, 2008; Vice Chairman, 2007