SUNRISE, Fla. -- In celebration of Black History Month, the Florida Panthers will be commemorating the second annual 'Celebration of Black Excellence' series recognizing South Florida community members making a difference.
From Black executives and educators to those in the culinary field, healthcare workers, media members, and more, the Panthers 'Celebration of Black Excellence' program will recognize individuals nominated by their peers, colleagues and families for the positive impact they are making in South Florida and beyond.
Honorees' stories and achievements will be highlighted throughout Black History Month at FloridaPanthers.com and via Panthers social media platforms @FlaPanthers and @FlaPanthersCARE.
In this week of "Celebration of Black Excellence," the Panthers are proud to highlight nine standouts in business.
Black Excellence: Standouts in Business
Ashaki Bronson-Marcellus
Business Banking Market Leader, BankUnited
Ashaki Bronson-Marcellus is a Business Banking Market Leader with BankUnited. She has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years and has been very successful in banking. In her role, she assists retail and business clients with many banking needs. Her expertise is small business lending and business development. Originally a New Yorker, Ashaki came to South Florida in 2003 and became involved with several non-profit organizations, such as the Black Executive Forum, Junior Achievement, Urban League, The Education Fund, Sant La, and many more.
Ashley Gantt
Founder & Managing Partner of Gantt Legacy Law, P.A.
Ashley Gantt is a teacher, attorney, and State Representative for Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and became a Teach for America Delta Corps (TFA) member. She dedicated two years to national community service, with a mission to close the achievement gap in the Greater Delta region. Ashley returned home to Miami-Dade County Public Schools for seven years before beginning law school. She received her law degree from Nova Southeastern University's Shepard Broad College of Law. Ashley continues to be active in her community, serving on the executive board of the T.J. Reddick Bar Association, a board member for the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, and as the District 2 Trust member on the Citizens' Independent Transportation Trust in Miami-Dade County. In office as State Representative, she fights for public education, affordable housing, criminal justice reform, and advocates for small businesses and environmental issues. Ashley is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the University of Florida Association of Black Alumni South Florida Chapter. Her passions are uplifting, educating, growing, giving back, and empowering her home, the South Florida community.
Karim Bryant
Owner & Executive Chef, Lil Greenhouse Grill Chef
Karim Bryant is a 25-year culinary professional who used his upbringing in the Historic Overtown Community as motivation to craft his skills in the restaurant industry. Under the direction of legendary restauranteurs, Chef Bryant has held long-term engagements at 5-star favorites such as Capital Grill, Prime 112, and STK. In 2017, Chef Bryant and business partner Nicole Gates launched Lil Greenhouse Grill in Overtown, a hip, neo-soul, healthier alternative for soul food that has drawn global recognition and promotional partnerships with brands like Weight Watchers and Special Olympics. In 2021, Chef Bryant and Lil Greenhouse Grill were globally recognized by ESPN and The Undefeated as a RISE Champion Black Business. In 2022, Lil Greenhouse Grill was the recipient of The Small Business Grant presented by the Udonis Haslem Foundation. Chef Bryant takes pride in his community recognitions, affiliation with youth leagues at Gibson Park, donating annually in money and time to the Overtown Optimist Club and most importantly, in his role as father to Karim Jr. (27), Korea (20), and Karter (9).
Marlene Maragh-Williams
Vice President, Xerox Corporation, Retired Marlene
Maragh-Williams is a retired executive from Xerox Corporation, who made history as the first Black woman to be named to Vice President of Graphic Arts for the United States and Canada at the organization. She joined the company in 1973 and moved up the ranks from District Manager of Sales South Florida to multiple VP posts including VP Southeast United States/Puerto Rico and USVI and VP General Manager for Puerto Rico and USVI. She held worldwide responsibilities in the positions of VP Light Production Business Unit and VP Production Business Unit. In addition to being a trailblazing businesswoman, Marlene is deeply committed to her community. She particularly has a heart for organizations that improve the lives of women and children. Her community service roles have included Chair-Elect for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, President/Co-Founder of Black Women Leadership Council USA, President of YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade County, and President of Susan Komen Race for the Cure of Greater Miami-Dade County. As a worldwide traveler, Marlene looks at life from a global perspective which led the establishment of a STEM program for girls in Ghana. Marlene is a proud mother of two and a grandmother.
Rashad Thomas
Regional Director, AT&T
Rashad D. Thomas is the Regional Director for AT&T External and Legislative Affairs. Before his role with AT&T, he worked on Strategic Partnerships and Community Relations for PortMiami which is the busiest port in the world. He was the Assistant to the Deputy Mayor overseeing Public Safety and Human Services for Miami-Dade County which is the seventh-most populous county in the United States. Rashad was also Vice President of Business Connect and Legacy Projects for Super Bowl LIV. He's a Bethune-Cookman University graduate and 2022 Harvard Business School - Young American Leaders Program participant. Rashad has a very busy work schedule, and not only does he focus on bridging the digital divide gap, but he's extremely involved in the community and team dad for his son's 10U and 11U football teams. Rashad is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Rayford Shipman
Director of Business Development & Physician Relations, Memorial Healthcare System
Rayford Shipman believed playing in the NBA or NFL would fulfill his life. After spending less than a season in the NFL in 2012, he was cut, leaving him feeling empty inside. It wasn't until he began helping others did he begin to feel fulfilled. Rayford's work helps young athletes across the nation utilize athletics as a vehicle to succeed in other avenues outside of sports. Rayford also serves as an adjunct professor at FIU and is a children's book author. Rayford is married to his loving wife Shirelle, and is a father of two beautiful kids. Family is the most important thing to Rayford.
Reginald Andre
CEO, Ark Solvers
Reginald Andre leads ARK Solvers, a cybersecurity and IT company meeting the needs of business and regulated industries through compliance. Since 2010, he has grown the company to be one of South Florida's leading IT providers. With over 19 years of business, entrepreneurship, and technical experience, his knowledge and IT expertise has been the driving force in successfully growing ARK Solvers. Reginald earned an AS Degree in Business Administration and a AS Degree in Network Service Technology at Broward College. He was recently featured as a 40 under 40 honoree, and as The Fastest Growing IT Company in South Florida for 3 years in a row. Reginald recently joined the Broward College Foundation Board of Directors and co-runs The Mavuno Project with his wife which helps raise awareness on human trafficking. He is a native of Miami Gardens and he and his wife have two kids.
Tamara Rodriguez
Owner, Island TV
Tamara Rodriguez is an entrepreneur, health and wellness ambassador, speaker, and author. As an entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in accounting and finance, Tamara has worked in the public and private sectors. Most recently, Tamara was instrumental in securing a $34 million Marriott International hotel project in Haiti. She also recently became an owner at Island TV, a television network based in South Florida, serving the Afro-Caribbean communities for the past 25 years. Tamara also co-founded the Caribbean Community Cares Foundation to influence the Caribbean story positively. Tamara sits on the board of Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center and Junior Achievement of South Florida.
Trelvis Randolph
Partner, The Law Firm of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.
Trelvis D. Randolph is an attorney and partner in the Miami office of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., which is the largest women and minority owned law firm in the country. He currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr., Bar Association, which is the Black Lawyers Association of Miami-Dade County. His practice focuses on premises liability; nursing home and assisted living facilities; personal injury; vehicle negligence; general civil litigation; hospitality industry defense; and negligent security. Additionally, he is an elected member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Leading with the experience of dozens of jury trials and years of litigation history, Mr. Randolph has served as a community activist and consultant to various civil rights and non-profit community empowerment organizations, including the Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP, where he is the current General Counsel. He is the Vice-Chair of SAVE, which is the premier LGBTQ civil rights organization in Miami-Dade County and he is also an active member of the ACLU. Mr. Randolph is a United States Army veteran. He served his country as an infantry soldier and in his home state as a reserve with the Tennessee Army National Guard. He is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
