Abraham "Abe" Morris has dedicated his career to enhancing community well-being through human services, focusing on both immediate needs and systemic change. With over a decade of experience, Abe’s commitment to social justice and equity has driven his impactful work in building resilient communities.

Abe earned his undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Human Development from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, graduating summa cum laude. He furthered his education with a Master’s in Public Policy from Loyola University Chicago, where he graduated with honors, equipping him with the skills to address complex societal challenges.

In significant leadership roles across nonprofit and government sectors, Abe served as the Dax Director for Depaul USA, a program focused on serving college students facing homelessness or housing insecurities in the heart of Chicago. Under his leadership, the Dax Program achieved a 100% success rate for participants and gained recognition on CBS Sunday Morning and other media outlets. The program has since expanded to multiple cities nationwide.

As a Senior Contract Administrator with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Abe managed a portfolio of state and county contracts, overseeing the rollout of Youth Stabilization Facilities and improving quality in Youth and Adolescent Day Treatment Facilities. He also advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, establishing a permanent DEI office and advisory body.

Currently, Abe serves as the Children, Youth, and Families Division Manager for the City of Orlando, overseeing social impact programs for children and families. His leadership in the Community Violence Intervention model has significantly reduced gun violence and criminal justice involvement, leading to a decrease of shootings across the city by 36%, gunshot wounds by 37%, and homicides by 29%. While the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative has achieved a 20% reduction in suspensions and an 11% reduction in expulsions among middle school students.

Abe’s approach emphasizes "person-centered planning," ensuring that programs are tailored to the unique needs of individuals and families. Beyond program management, he builds coalitions and nurtures relationships with key stakeholders, continuing to champion positive change within the communities he serves.

Ruben Saldaña was nominated this year as a finalist for Central Floridian of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel. He also is leader of Central Florida’s Credible Messenger program and runs Ru Camps and “Gloves Up, Guns Down” boxing and mixed martial arts training. The aim is to steer underserved and disenfranchised youth away from crime and gun violence. A former gang leader who served 19 years in prison, Saldaña says he understands his kids because he has been in their shoes.

Credible Messengers employs adult mentors like Saldaña who use their life experiences to guide and encourage the youth. Orange County was the first city in Florida to implement the Credible Messengers Movement. The program has been linked with decreased youth-crime statistics and reduced juvenile repeat offender rates in several major U.S. cities.

Dr. Shanta Barton-Stubbs is a professional consultant, a licensed therapist, a certified success life coach, a motivational speaker, and the founder of Under Construction Empowerment Services and the Founder & Director of New Image Youth Center in Orlando, FL. Shanta Barton-Stubbs received her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice, a Master’s degree in Mental Health, and in 2015 earned her doctorate in Theology with an emphasis in Leadership Studies. Shanta has authored three books, There Is Good in My Hood, Yes, God, I’m Listening!, and co-authored the international bestseller Discover your Destiny, Live your Dream, Love your Life. Her new book Knocking Out Excuses is soon to be published. All of her writing has been driven by life experience and has that success, as well as her outstanding work in the community has led to many speaking engagements, including over seven commencement addresses, international speaking in the Bahamas, Cat Island, and Canada, and speaking engagements at local churches and community organizations.



In 2004, Shanta founded the New Image Youth Center (NIYC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in Orlando, FL at the age of 21 with only $1,500 and 8 children. The goal was to provide a safe haven for this poverty-stricken community’s neighborhood. Twelve years later, the success of New Image Youth Center has changed lives with over 18 high school graduates, a Morehouse College graduate, and many young businessmen and businesswomen.

Patricia Brigham a proven national and Florida grassroots leader and coalition builder, joined the League of Women Voters of Florida state board in 2015 and moved up in the leadership ranks to serve as president for three years, 2018-21.

After joining the League of Women Voters of Orange County (LWVOC) in 2013, Patti quickly assumed leadership duties, serving on the membership committee and working with young League members to organize and host “Speak Easy with the League”events.

In 2014 she formed the LWVOC Gun Safety Action team which was later adopted statewide. That same year she was appointed to the LWVOC Board of Directors and served for two years.

In 2016, in the days following the mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Patti partnered with former LWVFL President Pam Goodman to form the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, which now includes more than 100 organizational partners.

Patti grew up in Orlando and attended the University of Central Florida, where she earned a B.A. in philosophy and an M.A. in Liberal Studies. After several years at We Care, Inc., a suicide prevention and crisis intervention center, Patti forged a career in radio with responsibilities as a reporter, writer, and producer.

During this time, she was recognized with several awards from media organizations, including American Women in Radio and Television and the Associated Press.

She also worked as a freelance reporter for the Orlando Weekly, writing about the arts, and was an adjunct humanities professor at Seminole Community College.