Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 6-2-17

Local
New Florida Democratic Black Caucus President Stresses Awareness
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, members of the Florida Democratic Black Caucus held their election of new officers. One of those elected is Ms. Lydia Hud- son, of Tampa.
Formerly serving as the organization’s First Vice Pres- ident, Ms. Hudson was cho- sen to lead the organization for the next two years. As the newly elected leader, Ms.
Hudson’s message is clear and simple: “I just want peo- ple to know we have to be alert and aware. I look for- ward to serving the commu- nity as the Democratic Black Caucus President and the state. We must use our influ- ence as an organization to mobilize our communities.
“We have a lot of people who are frustrated and feel hopeless. We have to stress that through the power of the vote, we can bring about
nity,” the member of Allen Temple AME Church said.
Ms. Hudson was elected during the 35th Annual Con- ference on Saturday, May 20th. The conference was held at the Rosen Centre, in Or- lando. She replaces Henry Crespo, Sr., who stepped down due to term limits.
In her new role, Ms. Hudson said the organiza- tion plans to start locally tak- ing back local officers.
She also said, “We must reach out to colleges and HBCUs; build partnerships with faith leaders to commit to civic engagement and voter mobilization; provide educa- tion and training statewide; use and strengthen techno- logical innovations and social media.”
Other members elected as officers in the voluntary or- ganization are: Russell Drake, First Vice President; Ms. Glenda Alford- Atkins, Second Vice Presi- dent; Ms. Hazel Gillis, Secretary; and Cornell Maxfield, Treasurer.
Florida Democratic Black Caucus Officers who were sworn in from left to right are: Glenda Alford-Atkins, 2nd Vice President; Hazel Gillis, Secretary; Lydia Hudson, President; Russell Drake, 1st Vice President; and Cornell Maxfield, Treasurer.
changes.”
A longtime Tampa resi-
dent, Ms. Hudson gradu- ated from Plant High School. She earned degrees in Busi- ness Administration from Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida.
While working in the Obama Campaign in 2008,
Ms. Hudson became aware of the Florida Democratic Black Caucus after reading its mission. And, she came to re- alize that people were not ac- tively utilizing its political power.
“I said to myself, ‘this is the organization for me.’ It can give a voice to the people and empower the commu-
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