Membership Meetings

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Check-in Starts: 6:30pm
Meeting Starts: 7:00pm

Pride Center
2040 N. Dixie Hwy.
Wilton Manors, FL

Guest Speaker:
Caryl Shuham
Hollywood City Commissioner D-1

See you there!

Join us on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at the Membership Meeting

Check-in: 6:30pm

Meeting Starts: 7:00pm

Location: The Pride Center – Wilton Manors

Guest Speakers: 

School Board Member Sarah Leonardi

Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Steven Glassman

We will also have School Board Candidates for Districts 1 & 2.

Pizza will be served.

We hope you can join us.

Join Us on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Membership Meeting.

Check-in Starts: 6:30pm

Meeting Starts: 7:00pm

The Pride Center – Wilton Manors.

Guest Speakers: 

Broward County Sheriff – Gregory Tony

School Board Member – Debbi Hixon

State Senator – Jason Pizzo

We look forward to seeing you there,

 

Following are the candidates who have submitted their names to run for an open position on the Board of Directors of the Dolphin Democrats on Wednesday, February 14th.

The available seats include:

• President & Vice-President – Term ending Feb. 2025
• Secretary – Term ending Feb. 2025
• 1 Director – Term ending Feb. 2025
• 4 Directors – Term ending Feb 2026

Nominations will be accepted from the floor on the day of the election.

Alfredo Olvera for President: 

Alfredo Olvera is an Ecuadorian-born immigrant currently living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  He is a licensed Real Estate Agent with many years of experience in retail sales and global sales. As a longtime resident of South Florida, and a political activist in his community, he has volunteered and served as a member of the Human Rights Campaign South Florida Steering Committee, Advisory Board Member for Ruth’s List Broward and Ruth List Florida, Alternate Director for the Florida LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus, and President of the Dolphin Democrats. He is currently serving as a Member of the Fort Lauderdale  NW-Progresso-Flagler Heights Redevelopment Advisory Board, Member of the Broward County Police & Criminal Justice Review Advisory Board, Broward County Democratic Party State Committeeman and Director on the Board of the Pride Center at Equality Park.  

He has proudly led multiple initiatives including increased membership, creation of voter outreach and educational programs, increased fundraising goals for the organization, assisted with the political endorsement process, and successfully endorsed a record number of candidates with a record winning rate.  Alfredo has dedicated the last 8 years to building bridges between elected officials and their constituents, educating voters, promoting women and minorities to leadership positions, helping candidates win elections, and advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.  

Adrianna Tender for Vice-President: 

Adrianna Tender is a passionate transgender advocate with an associate degree in psychology and is currently in an accelerated BA in Psychology/MPA Degree Pathway at Florida International University. Her expertise lies in HIV prevention and healthcare for transgender individuals, highlighted by her role as Program Coordinator at Transinclusive Group and as the owner of Tender Loving Care Trans Mentoring. Adrianna’s early recognition of the historical challenges faced by transgender individuals fuels her commitment to service work, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, education, and social justice. She is driven to be a voice for the voiceless and fight for transgender equality, fueled by her personal experiences as a black transgender woman who lacked positive representation during her upbringing. Adrianna received the Bishop SF Makalani Mahee Transgender Advocate Award in 2019, the Noir Diamond Excellence Award in 2023, and an honoree for the Code Red Gala in 2023. She holds leadership positions in esteemed organizations, including the National Board of Governors of the Human Rights Campaign, Vice President of the Dolphin Democrats, Vice President of South Florida’s chapter of AHF Flux, and is on the Board of Directors for BLINC while actively participating in several other civic political organizations and attends Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

Dr. Frederick L. Hunter for Secretary 

Dr. Frederick L. Hunter, Jr. is a distinguished academic and community advocate renowned for his expertise in social sciences, notably in social work, sociology, and urban planning. Serving as an Associate Professor of Social Work at Florida Memorial University (FMU) in Miami Gardens, FL, Dr. Hunter has held pivotal leadership roles within the university, including Chair of Social Sciences and Director of Social Work. With a distinguished academic background from esteemed institutions, he earned his Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Jackson State University, complemented by degrees from Loyola University Chicago, Western Illinois University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Hunter’s research and activism focus on critical societal issues such as food sovereignty, health disparities, and environmental justice. Beyond academia, he actively engages in community advocacy, spearheading projects aimed at enhancing resilience, connectivity, and economic opportunity for disenfranchised communities. His commitment to bridging academia and the community underscores his dedication to supporting progressive democratic candidates in Broward County, who champion environmental and economic justice, community resiliency, and racial and social equity.

Brian Bender for Director: 

My name is Brian Bender. I am 36 years old and committed to lifelong learning. Over the past decade, as an adult learner, I have earned an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree in K-12 education, a master’s degree in special education, and am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in leadership. 

As a native of Broward County, I have witnessed the devolving political landscape for years; it is with this awareness of our state’s (and country’s) situation that I am prompted to seek a spot on the board of the Dolphin Dems

I work as a 7th grade civics teacher in a public school. My role provides me not only with pertinent content knowledge related to the democratic ideals enshrined in our constitution but also with a unique vantage point that allows me to observe the direct impacts of educational policy on the ground. I believe I can make invaluable contributions to the board on educational issues, among other topics that affect LGBTQ+ people living in the United States. 

Now more than ever, it is important to help elect progressive candidates up and down the ballot to ensure Floridians secure the rights they are entitled to in our constitution, chiefly: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

James Brenner for Director:

A Dolphin Democrat member since 2015, I’m a lifelong Democrat with a background in public policy and legislation, including nine years as a staffer for Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis and Senator John Kerry, in campaign and policy roles in Boston and Washington DC.  After transitioning to the private sector, I remained a steadfast Democratic volunteer and fundraiser.

Throughout decades of party involvement, I have served on committees including my Democratic Town Committee, the DNC’s LGBT+ National Leadership Council, and many campaigns. In 2004, I was the founding Executive Director of Americans Overseas for Kerry (AOK) under the Chairperson, John’s sister Diana Kerry, where I managed a campaign budget of $300K, and helped develop one of the first on-line organizing campaigns funded by the DNC.  After our close defeat in 2004, I co-founded the non-partisan www.USVoteFoundation.org and have continued as an active Board member.

My passion for Democratic causes, coupled with my organizational experience and dedication, makes me confident in my ability to contribute effectively as a Director at Dolphin Democrats. I am not only eager to support the initiatives of the caucus but also to bring my skills to the table in fostering inclusivity and advocacy. Full resume available at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbrenner/

Justin Gladney for Director: 

Justin Gladney was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. I am a proud gay Black man with a passion for social justice and community advocacy. My upbringing in the South instilled in me a profound understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized individuals in conservative environments. Through my work and advocacy, I strive to be the representation I longed for in my youth – a visible and vocal advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusivity. I am dedicated to creating a more equitable society where everyone, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, can thrive and be celebrated for who they are.

My journey through academia and professional career has been shaped by a commitment to serving marginalized communities and fostering inclusivity. My upbringing in the South instilled in me a profound understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized individuals in conservative environments. Through my work and advocacy, I strive to be the representation I longed for in my youth – a visible and vocal advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusivity. I am dedicated to creating a more equitable society where every individual, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, can thrive and be celebrated for who they are.

I hold an Associate Degree in Paramedic, which provided me with a solid foundation in emergency medical services. This experience ignited my interest in healthcare and social welfare, leading me to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Sexuality, Gender, and Queer Studies. Building upon my undergraduate studies, I recently attained a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work, equipping me with the skills and knowledge to address mental health challenges and substance use disorders within underserved populations. Currently, I serve as the Substance Use Disorder Program Director and a Registered Mental Health Therapist at Sunserve, where I am dedicated to providing compassionate care and support to those in need, especially the LGBTQ community. 

As a member of the Dolphin Democrats board, my goal is to amplify the voices of people of color, enhance community involvement, and advance progressive policies in Broward County and Tallahassee. I am driven to combat legislative measures that target and discriminate against LGBTQ and POC communities, drawing upon my own experiences and identity to advocate for equality and justice.

Tina Jaramillo for Director: 

Tina is a dedicated educator in Broward County with a strong commitment to social justice and advocacy. Tina has volunteered with various organizations. Serving as Secretary and Vice President of Women’s March Broward, and as former Secretary of the Dolphin Democrats, Tina has advocated for women’s rights and LGBTQ+ equality. Also, her volunteer work with the Reproductive Coalition of Broward shows her dedication to protecting reproductive rights. Currently, Tina sits on the Education Advisory Board for the City of Fort Lauderdale.

Sabrina Javellana for Director

In November 2018, Sabrina Javellana became the youngest elected official in Broward County history at the age 21 when elected to the Hallandale Beach City Commission and appointed as Vice Mayor. She is a proud alumnus of Hallandale High School and Florida International University and has spent her whole life active in the Hollywood/Hallandale Beach area. She also served as the city’s first-ever openly LGBTQ+ elected official and the first Asian American elected to serve.

Her proudest achievement while on the City Commission is having passed the first paid parental leave program of any city in Broward County and now the number of cities joining the movement for inclusive prosperity for working families has grown. Sabrina has passed progressive policies ranging from fossil fuel divestment, growing arts initiatives, and flying the progress Pride flag at City Hall for the first time with the aid of the Hollywood LGBTQ+ Council. 

Sabrina at heart is an advocate for justice and equity and has worked tirelessly to organize rallies, get out the vote, and make our community’s voice heard in Tallahassee against harmful legislation such as Don’t Say Gay, the transgender youth sports ban and the 15-week abortion ban.

Sabrina dreams of a better future for Broward County and the next generation that we can build together.