Miltoria Rivers Fordham, President
Miltoria Rivers Fordham brings with her over 28 years of managerial and educational experience. Her superior managerial, organizational and interpersonal skills have contributed to the development of the Partners for Self-Employment Program and advanced business training at The Entrepreneurial Institute. Ms. Fordham developed the policies and procedures that govern implementation and day to day functioning of the program, as well as the financial education curriculum that are taught in conjunction with the successful IDA program.
Ms. Fordham’s memberships and accomplishments include:
- Past President and CEO for Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation
- Community Action Agency Foundation President (Present)
- DEDCO Board Member
- Community Action Agency 2003-04 Youth Leadership Conference Workshop
- Community Action Agency 2003-05 Business Development Workshop
- National Community Reinvestment Coalition Certificate of Completion
- Financial Education Train – The Trainer
- Boy and Girl Scouts of America
- Future Education of America Award for Outstanding Community Service
- Literacy Volunteer of American
- Agape Academic Enrichment Center Award for Exemplary Community Service
Imran Ali, Vice President
Imran Ali joined The Children’s Trust in May 2014. Mr. Ali began his extensive career in social services working with Guyana’s Department of Public Assistance. In 1981, he relocated to Miami-Dade County where he began working for Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF). At DCF he held progressively responsible positions including, director of Operations for all DCF programs and director of Child Welfare. Under his leadership, the district received a national award from the Department of Human Services in Washington, DC, for the highest number of adoptions in the State of Florida. Mr. Ali also served on President’s Clinton Adoption Committee in 1994.
Additionally, Mr. Ali served as program director for the Children’s Home Society of Florida and as chief operating officer for the Family Resource Center of South Florida. He has participated in many local, state and national committees all focused on providing children the opportunity to grow up in a safe, secure, stable and healthy environment. In 2003, Mr. Ali was inducted into the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida’s Juvenile Wall of Honor, which recognizes our community’s most distinguished child welfare leaders, advocates and experts.
Arthur McNeil, Esq., Treasurer
Arthur McNeil is a Criminal Defense Attorney in South Florida. Mr. McNeil has always enjoyed helping people when they needed it most, no matter what their situation was. The satisfaction that he receives from knowing that he was able to make a person’s life better by simply helping them is priceless. He became a Criminal Defense Attorney because he could think of no greater time of need than when a person’s freedom is placed in jeopardy.
Mr. McNeil has always found time to give back to others beginning in high school where he mentored elementary school students and tutored fellow high school classmates with special needs. Arthur continued to mentor and teach others during his undergraduate studies and through law school. After becoming a Criminal Defense Attorney, Arthur realized even more the need to help mentor younger generations because the most common thread he saw in the criminal justice system was a lack of education and/or support system.
Terri Page, Secretary
Terri Page is a senior-level professional with more than 10 years of both private sector and public sector experience offering. She has proven entrepreneurial, financial and management experience in the development and operation of a family-owned retail business. She also has extensive experience in public and community relations in outreach and media communications to diverse areas throughout Miami-Dade County.
Lillie M. Williams, Honorary Member
Lillie M. Williams has served on the Foundation Board since its inception in 1981 and has worked tirelessly to the benefit to the continued success of the board. Her sterling professional career as the Charge Nurse at the Public Health Trust/Jackson Memorial Hospital spans over 38 years of committed and dedicated service, from 1956-1994. She also worked with Miami Dade Community College as the Coordinator of the educational initiative “University Without Walls”, 1969-1972. Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit she formally owned and managed the restaurant Famous Cher’s from 1951-1956 in Miami’s Historical area of Overtown. Mrs. Williams has been a Licensed Realtor since 1953 and the President of Orgained Pesidon Import and Export, Inc., which was incorporated in 1972.
Affectionately known throughout the community as the God Mother of the Miami-Dade Community Action Agency Head Start Program, she works tirelessly as the amplified voice on behalf of the disadvantaged. Throughout her prolific career with the Public Health Trust/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Mrs. Williams began her legendary quest in pursuit of justice and equality for those less fortunate. She continues to champion those causes as represented by her previous and current involvement and affiliations with 21 Community Boards or Organizations, as well as she is the recipient of 16 Community Awards.
Community Boards or Organizations
- Community Action Agency Board, Former Chairperson of the Board of Directors
- Former First Vice-President, Miami-Dade Community Action Foundation
- Secretary for the Miami-Dade Community Action Foundation
- Second Vice President, Church Women United North Council
- Ordained Elder and Deacon, Presbyterian Church U.S.
- National Negro Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.
- New Covenant Presbyterian Church
- National Humanistic Society
- Nursing Association
- Jubilee Community Development Corporation – The Presbyterian of Tropical Florida
- Vice President, Sunshine State Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.
- Planning Committee Chairperson, Gamma Alpha Chapter, Iota Philambda Sorority, Inc.
- Second Vice President, Dynamic Women’s Democratic Club of Miami-Dade County
- Chairperson, Economic Development and Housing, Weed and Seed of Miami-Dade County
- Chairperson, Black Presbyterian Leadership Council Women Task Force
- Council on Women Concerns, PCUS
- Christian Community Services Association
- Second Vice President, American Association University of Women, Tamiami-Branch
- Chairperson and Member of Miami-Dade Community Action Board
- Chairperson, Program & Planning Department, Miami-Dade Community Action Board
- Chairperson, Dade Employment and Economic Development Corporation, Inc. (DEEDCO)
Awards
- Whitney Young Award, The Urban League of Greater Miami
- Volunteer of the Year, Miami-Dade County Community Action Agency, State -Wide
- Certificate of Appreciation, Liaison Person for Experimental Ministries Task Force, New Covenant Presbyterian Church
- Certificate of Appreciation, Mission Commission Chairperson, New Covenant Presbyterian Church
- Certificate of Ordination, Presbyterian Everglades, Presbyterian Church in the U.S.
- Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Coordinator, Miami-Dade Community College
- Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Coordinator – Human Relations Training Program, City of Miami Police Department
- Competition sponsored by State of Florida Association for Community
- Recognition for Untiring Efforts to Enhance the Quality of Life, Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of The Equal Opportunity Act, Miami-Dade Community Action Agency
- Community Service Award, Dade Employment and Economic Development Corporation,
- Essence of Quality Award, Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- President Award, Community Action Agency Foundation
- Jaune Thomas Grassroots Volunteer Award, National Association of Community Action Agencies
- Board of Director’s Award, Habitat For Humanity of Greater Miami
- B’Nai B’Rith Award for Outstanding Community Service
- Executive Directors Award for Exemplary Leadership and Dedication, Christian Community Service Agency