Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 10-15-21

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Judge Perry Little Swore His Mother To The Florida Bar: 27 Years Later He Swears In Son
Sisters Created Organization, SEW To Empower Young Women
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Sisters Empowering Women, Inc. (SEW) is an or- ganization of three sisters, Toni Boyd, Karin Davis- Thompson, and Amber Conage.
The sisters’ program started with girls in foster care, where dresses are exceedingly rare, especially in group homes. After the success with girls, the program started to expand. At the same time, a local bridal store was being closed, and they donated a sig- nificant number of dresses.
The goal of the organiza- tion is to provide empower- ment and let young women develop their voices and ex- press themselves.
The sisters also provide mentors and recently gave the girls journals to encourage them to record their journey. The women believe this helps the girls develop the writing skills they will need later in life.
The sisters were born and raised in Tampa and attended Jefferson High School. Toni and Karin are FAMU gradu- ates, and Amber attended the University of Phoenix. All three sisters also work full-time and have families. They are the daughters of COGIC Superin- tendent Charles and Mrs. Delores Davis, pastor and First Lady of College Hill COGIC Church. They also have another sister in the family, Charlotte.
The Gowns for Girls pro- gram provides evening gowns to girls whose families cannot afford to purchase a dress.
“Homecoming is a special time for a high school student,” says SEW President, Karin. “We know that with these tough economic times, there are many families finding themselves in a financial pinch.” She further explains that families who didn’t need
Sisters Toni Boyd, Karin Davis-Thompson, and Amber Conage ... Sisters Empowering Women (SEW)
help last year, may be facing struggles this year.”
To qualify, a child must re- ceive free or reduced lunch, live in a single parent household with limited income, be in fos- ter care, or living in a home that is at or below poverty level. Exceptional circum- stances are sometimes consid- ered for those who may not meet the outlined require- ments.
Amber, SEW Board co- chair states, “The organization has assisted more than 150 girls since the program’s incep- tion”
“It’s wonderful to see the looks on their faces when they find the perfect gown,” Davis- Thompson says. She says that about half the dresses are new, and the others have been do- nated by community organiza- tions and members of the community.
To donate, contact SEW at 813-593-3924 or email the or- ganization at sistersempower- ingwomen@gmail.com.
Gowns are provided to girls living in Hillsborough, Polk, and Pinellas counties. There are dresses in all sizes for every young lady. There is limited as- sistance for hair, makeup, and shoes. Appointments are re- quired and can be made by calling or emailing SEW.
Hillsborough County Cir- cuit Judge Perry Little didn’t know that he was build- ing a bridge in the early after- noon of April 11, 1994. Just after lunch that day, he had re- ceived a call from a young Texas attorney, newly trans- planted to Tampa, who asked the judge if he would swear her in as an attorney in Florida. Judge Little obliged the re- quest, and Susan Johnson- Velez became a Florida attorney that day.
In her career in Tampa, Ms. Johnson-Velez has served as a lawyer for Hillsbor- ough County, as a shareholder in a large private firm, and as a solo practitioner.
During her illustrious ca- reer, Ms. Johnson-Velez ig- nited a passion for the law in her son, Julian Velez. As a single mother, Ms. Johnson- Velez would often take young Julian and his older sister, Catalina, with her to law firm offices, City Council meetings, and events. It was here that both children experienced the bustling life of an attorney, and saw their mother become a partner in one of Tampa’s most prestigious law firms.
The learning lessons did not end there. After she left her firm and opened her solo practice, Ms. Johnson- Velez became the first Black woman to be elected President of the Hillsborough County Bar Association. By her side still, though several years older now, was Julian.
“It was amazing watching my mother as President of the [Hillsborough County] Bar,” said Velez. “It’s important that members of our commu- nity work to become leaders of this city.”
By the time he was in col- lege, the spark for the law that his mother created had fully engulfed Mr. Velez. During his college years he assisted
Judge Perry Little (retired) administered the oath of office to Julian Velez.
her in research for her cases, taking time to bounce argu- ments back and forth with his experienced mother. Ms. Johnson-Velez proudly re- membered, “I got such a kick out of watching his skill set grow along with his love for the profession.”
By the end of his college years, it was clear that Mr. Velez was bound for a legal career. He was accepted into law school immediately after his undergraduate schooling, earning top marks during his three years of law school. After taking and passing the Florida Bar this past July, Mr. Velez found himself searching for a judge to officially swear him in as a Florida attorney. He would not have to look far; the perfect person was waiting for him -- the man who started his mother’s legal career, and in a way, the man who started his own.
“I’ve sworn in a lot of lawyers over the years,” said Judge Little, “but I never imagined that I would swear in
Julian Velez, center with Ms. Susan Johnson-Velez, and Pedro Velez.
a parent and then years later, her child. To connect two gen- erations of lawyers in this way is a unique honor.”
Judge Little, Ms. John- son-Velez, and Mr. Velez are examples of the impor- tance of reaching down and raising up the next generations in our community. And in raising up, we must remember that every action, whether big or small, makes a difference. Even the most insignificant act, like answering the call of a young Texas attorney, can have a lasting impact many years later.
A past president of both the George Edgecomb Bar Associ- ation and the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Ms. Johnson-Velez is currently a Senior Assistant City Attorney with the City of Tampa.
Mr. Velez graduated, with honors, from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law in May, 2021, and is now an associate with the Carlton Fields law firm in Tampa. (Photos by BRUNSON)
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