Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 5-28-21

Feature
Veteran Exec Named V. P. At Boys And Girls Club Tampa Bay
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Keith Harris, former Chairman of the Board of the Boys and Girls Club (BGC) Tampa Bay and former inte- rim CEO, has returned to the organization he holds dear. Harris was named Vice Pre- sident of Operations.
As interim CEO, Harris was on the search committee for the permanent CEO. He also worked with him extensi- vely through the transition and developed a professional rapport.
“Keith Harris provided exceptional leadership and so- lidarity for our Clubs during an extremely difficult time and I am proud to welcome him to our team,” said Terry Carter, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay President & CEO. “He has been an unwavering advocate
and supporter of our mission and we welcome his presence, passion and expertise back to our organization.”
After taking a position as Chief Human Resources Offi- cer at the Spring in October, Harris stated that the right opportunity had come from BGC of Tampa Bay recently.
This role is a new position created by the new CEO. Ha- rris will be responsible for the management of all 22 physical locations of the clubs. He will report directly to the CEO.
His experience as interim CEO will assist him in tackling the day-to-day challenges of running the clubs in addition to getting back to full service after COVID.
Most concerning to Ha- rris is reconnecting with all the students after a year of sta- ying home. The clubs are wor- king to ensure that.
KEITH HARRIS ...new V. P. Of Operations
Harris states that the clubs also have to be ready to accommodate students that are new to the area. Tampa is a fast-growing metropolis with people moving here for econo- mic and job opportunities.
Harris’ office will be in the main administrative buil-
ding and however, he will be spending time in individual clubs.
Post-COVID, Harris sees strategic partnerships and in- novative programming as the key to ensure the programs and physical clubs meet the needs of the children.
Post George Floyd, com- panies are reaching out to partner with non-profits like BGC to further the opportuni- ties of people of color. Harris states that they will be asses- sing needs and infrastructure.
One of the key strategies is addressing WI-FI and digital programming. These areas are more important than they
have ever been due to the na- ture of schoolwork.
Born and raised in Tampa, Harris is proud of his city and is dedicated to the children of the city he loves.
His parents, the late Mr. Howard A. Harris Jr. and the late Mrs. Ethel Harris, raised him and his brother Howard A. Harris III to make a difference, and this is exactly what his goal is in his new role.
The FAMU graduate is ma- rried to attorney and author Monica W. Harris. As a fa- ther of four, he is very invested in encouraging youth in dyna- mic positive ways.
From Living Paycheck To Paycheck To Business Owner Her Goal Is To Help Others
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Even as a young girl, Sheila Baptiste was a go- getter. As a child, she grew up in Ponce de Leon housing projects with her Haitian im- migrant parents, Michelin Joseph and Charles Jean- Baptiste along with her sis- ters and brothers.
After high school, she worked in the medical field for 18 years and found herself liv- ing paycheck to paycheck. She knew something had to change when she decided to buy a house, and the process was very difficult. Her realtor provided her with information on how to prepare financially to make such a big purchase.
Baptiste took her real- tor’s advice and then decided to take it even further. She began researching various fi- nancial theories and compa- nies. She eventually discovered Financial Educa- tion Services. They furthered her training, and now she is contracted with them through her own company.
Baptiste works with a wide variety of associates to advise clients on various sub- jects such as financial repair, credit repair, and financial plans.
Her goal is to educate her clients and ensure those who
SHEILA BAPTISTE
... Owner of Divine Queen Financial Services
want change to have the knowledge needed to get fi- nancial security.
“These are lessons we did- n’t learn in school,” she says.
Baptiste continues, “one lesson that has stuck with me is to not give up, and if you have children, they should al- ways come first.”
Although Baptiste stays busy, she always makes time to go the beach with her two children Tejada (a soon to be high school graduate) and Jeremiah Crawford. She loves the beach and loves spending time with her chil- dren there.
For more information, visit her website at https://www.sheilafixcredit.c om or email her at sbaptiste- creditrepair@gmail.com.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021