Sat, Sep 19
|Zoom Event
Rooted in Love: My Story, Our Story (Our School Board Members)
Time & Location
Sep 19, 2020, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Zoom Event
About the event
Join us for the 3rd Zoom presentation of the Rooted In Love Speaker series, happening every Saturday in September. The forum on Sept. 19th will be led by school board members: Dr. Leanetta McNealy, Tina Certain, and Diyonne McGraw.
Bio of Speakers:
-Dr. Leanetta McNealy- "Realizing at an early age that she would pursue a career in education, Leanetta began her journey with a B.S. in Elementary Education from Florida A&M University. She continued her education by pursuing a M.Ed. in Elementary Education and Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Florida A&M University.
Driven, enthusiastic, focused, motivated with a splash of fun mixed together, Leanetta is an effective dedicated leader who always strives for positive results with any given task. She has proven that she is more than qualified to speak for and serve the Alachua County School District as a member of the School Board of Alachua County.
Before retiring in 2009, Leanetta’s career included serving as a teacher, curriculum specialist, teacher on special assignment, and 14 years as principal of Duval Elementary Fine Arts Academy, which was a new concept in Alachua County created under her leadership and tenure. In 2012, McNealy was elected to the Alachua County School Board."
-Tina Certain- "As a lifelong resident of Alachua County, I have deep roots and affection for my community. I have been married to my husband Lawrence for twenty seven years. Lawrence is also a native of Alachua County and a career law enforcement officer. We raised our two children in the community we both love. All of my family is a product of the Alachua County Public School System, making me a witness to the deterioration of our public school system.
I graduated from Gainesville High School, and went on to attend Santa Fe College and the University of Florida, where I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Accounting. I worked for 23 years as an accountant with Gainesville Regional Utilities and currently work as an accountant with a local healthcare company. Through those years of work experience with the City of Gainesville, I gained valuable governmental accounting and budgeting experience.
I believe in public service, and have been a lifelong volunteer. I have served as an adult trainer and the Treasurer for Girls Scouts of Gateway Council. I served as the assistant treasurer for the Alachua County Democratic Executive Committee and I am an active member of the NAACP where I work on the Educational Subcommittee.
I am also a Sunday School teacher at my church, Passage Family Church. I currently mentor a student in the United Way Reading Pals program. I am a founding member of the Education Task Force (ETF) and an active participant in Gainesville for All Initiative (Gnv4All)."
-Diyonne McGraw- "Diyonne McGraw’s sense of community was developed at an early age and has played a pivotal role in the passionate leader she has become in our community.
While growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, she was inspired by the social activism of her mother and their pastor, a civil rights activist who was the last standing witness to the Rev., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s final moments.
She relocated to Gainesville nearly 25 years ago and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Florida A&M University (FAMU). Upon graduation, Diyonne immediately embraced the opportunity to serve her community and has become a recognizable and consistent voice for justice and equality for all youth and the disenfranchised in Alachua County.
Diyonne and her supportive husband of 26 years, Mark, are the proud parents of 3 wonderfully talented children. She is a member of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church and its Gospel Choir