About
highlights
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Proud 34 year resident of what is now the City of Miami Gardens
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Committed Community Champion and Servant
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Experienced Leader
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Forward-thinking and Inspirational
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Co-founder & President of One Community Alliance Network / 1communitycan.com
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Expertise in Tourism, Organizational Development, Human Resources & Policy Administration
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Co-Developed & Facilitated a Self-Esteem Training Program for Incarcerated Women @ TGK (Turner, Gilford, Knight)
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Proud Alumnus of Bethune-Cookman University / BS degree in Business Administration
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Graduate of Miami Central Senior High
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Respected Church Elder and Worship Leader
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Passionate Youth Counselor and Mentor
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Burn Survivor & Inspiring Mentor for Burn Survivors
BIO
PERSONAL
RESIDENT
Karen has lived in the vibrant City of Miami Gardens since its founding.
EDUCATION
A distinguished alumna of Bethune-Cookman University and Miami Central Sr. High School.
FAMILY
Karen is married to Benjamin Jackson (36 years), a graduate of Florida State University, University of Miami's School of Law and Miami Central Senior High School. They have four adult children, Shay, Kelly & daughter-in-love Mary Parlemon-Hunter, Khari and Jared, one adorable grandson Ahmani and 92 year old mother, Mary Wallace Hunter.
FAITH & SERVICE
Karen is a faithful member of New Ark Covenant Church where she serves in the following capacities:
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Trustee & Elder
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Praise Team
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Youth Praise Team Coordinator
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Youth Counselor/Mentor
Karen also coordinated and facilitated a church-sponsored summer youth violence and gang prevention program funded by the Children's Trust.
Her commitment to service, advocacy, and community empowerment defines her new life's purpose and passion.
CAREER
TOURISM EXECUTIVE
Karen's professional journey underscores her unwavering dedication to promoting tourism and business in Miami-Dade County and South Florida. Her tenure as a Tourism Executive involved promoting tourism, major events, and trade partnerships globally.
Notably, as Vice President of Operations at the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), Karen provided oversight of the Executive Division and served as the liaison to tourism partners and stakeholders throughout South Florida.
During her tenure at GMCVB, she served on Miami-Dade County's Tourism & Trade Consortium, in partnership with the County Mayor, Miami International Airport and Miami Seaport to develop new trade routes and expand tourism with South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Belgium and Ireland.
Karen had a leadership role in coordinating proposals and hosting major revenue-generating events, and prestigious conventions such as:
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Super Bowls
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Political National Conventions
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NAACP National Convention
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The Black Film Festival
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
Currently, as the co-founder, President & CEO of One Community Alliance Network, Karen spearheads the innovative platform 1CommUnityCan.com. This user-friendly resource connects Miami-Dade residents with essential services, embodying the tagline "connecting residents to resources." Her organization created a collaborative public/private/civic project where they leverage resources to rehabilitate the homes of elders in Miami Gardens.
HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL
Karen's other significant positions held include:
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Associate Vice President of Human Resources & Facilities Management / GMCVB
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Director of Diversity - EEO/Affirmative Action Officer / City of Miami Beach
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Assistant Human Resources Director / University of Miami
Her diverse background and leadership roles underscore her versatility and depth of capability and proficiency in numerous fields.
COMMUNITY CATALYST, ADVOCATE & BRIDGE BUILDER
Under Karen's leadership, collaborative efforts were made to secure funding and oversee initiatives such as the Annual Miami Gardens Arbor Day Seniors' Home Beautification Project. This endeavor involved forging partnerships between various entities, including the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Gardens Neighborhood Watch, Inc. (comprising 11 neighborhood watch groups). Public and private contributions, along with Formula 1 funds administered through the City of Miami Gardens, financed the project. Additionally, key community stakeholders providing funding and/or volunteer labor include Miami Job Corps, Calder Casino, Greater Miami Service Corps, Sherwin Williams, Links Logistics, PGIM, Florida Memorial University, Antioch of Miami Gardens Men's Ministry, Kazah Court #117, Kazah Temple #149, and numerous other Greek, civic organizations, and local volunteers, played integral roles in its success.
PRESENT BOARD & COMMITTEE AFFILIATIONS
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Miami-Gardens/Opa-locka Community Action & Human Services Citizens Committee
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Burn Survivors Support Group
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UP-PAC (Unrepresented Peoples Positive Action Council)
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Norwood/Norland Crime Prevention Group Treasurer
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Miami Gardens Democratic Women’s Club
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Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce
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4 Our Children Community PTA
PRIOR BOARD/COMMITTEE/MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATIONS
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Miami-Dade International Trade & Tourism Consortium
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Miami-Dade Coalition of Chambers of Commerce
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Miami Intermodal Committee
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Greater Miami YWCA Board of Directors
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The Women's Fund
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Miami Intermodal Planning Committee
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Society of Tourism Human Resources Professionals
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Greater Miami Society of Human Resource Management Board of Directors
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Society of Human Resources Hospitality Management
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Miami-Dade Community Action Agency
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Norwood Elementary PTA Vice President
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Norland Middle PTA
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Andover Middle PTA President
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Leadership Miami Member
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Susan G Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate's Annual Race for the Cure Volunteer
Karen's unwavering dedication to service, leadership, and philanthropy exemplifies the true essence of a community champion.
Family
