On The Cover Profiles
After working for ten years with the School District of Hillsborough County, Mrs. Aurelia McGruder founded the American Seniors Association. The American Seniors Association is a Florida Certified Medicare and Medicaid Home Health Agency licensed in five counties in the state of Florida and accredited through the Community Health Accreditation Program in Washington, D.C. During the 14 years of diligently serving the community, Mrs. McGruder observed the healthcare disparities in her community. She was not pleased with the types of service being provided to the residents in various neighborhoods throughout the county, especially the seniors. She envisioned an organization that would be free of fraud, scandal, sanction and waste. Her desire to become involve and change the system, prompted her to establish the American Seniors Health Foundation a 501(c) (3) organization.
A native of Washington, D.C., Mrs. Aurelia McGruder moved to Tampa, Florida many years ago, where she married, raised four children and is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren.
American Seniors Health Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) organization Aurelia McGruder – American Seniors Association-Home Health Agency – (813) 874-3938
As a youth growing up in Nigeria, Africa, Joel dreamed of coming to America, the “land of opportunity,” where he could earn enough money to take care of his family back in the villages of Nigeria. Fast forward twenty years, Joel’s dream is being realized.
Joel began working at a major local car dealership selling cars, while at the same time, experiencing the entrepreneurial itch. His dream was to own his business; he just didn’t know what type of business. His inspiration for a business came from his brother, an artist. His brother would create drawings and painting, and Joel would sell them. After such great demand for his work, in 1997, Joel opened JIBAC Gallery of Arts and Crafts. His gallery was in two locations, University Mall in Tampa, FL and Cross Road Mall in Clearwater, FL. After nine years at the malls, Joel purchased a warehouse, which is the current home of JIBAC on 40th Street. JIBAC specializes in ethnic art, custom framing, artifacts, Ebony Vision, leather animals from Africa and other parts of the world. JIBAC ships world-wide for his customers.
As an entrepreneur, Joel didn’t allow his skills as a car salesman to lie dormant. He became licensed as an automobile dealer and opened SANMI Auto Express in 2006. Specializing in used trucks, cars, vans, SUV’s, motorcycles, and heavy machinery, and ships world-wide.
Joel is married to Eunice, and they are the proud parents of two handsome boys. Joel & Eunice have been very successful in their multiple businesses, and are able to fulfill their wishes of supporting the community in which they live, and villages in Nigeria. They both credit their success to their belief in God, and they worship at The River.
Joel Ilesanmi – Jibac Gallery And Sanmi Auto Express - (813) 988-4407
Leonard Mardis - Leonard’s Academy of Dance & Centre for the Arts - (813) 653-0400 o
A
A commitment to excellence, a passion for the Arts, and the love of dance are part of the character that defines the owner and operator of Brandon’s premier African-American owned dance studio. Leonard Mardis is the owner, director and lead instructor of Leonard’s Academy of Dance in Brandon, Florida, which offers instruction in many disciplines of dance including Jazz, Ballet, Tap, African, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Modern, Liturgical, Tumbling, Technique, Musical Theater, Ballroom, Weddings, Quinceanera, and Belly Dancing Leonard, a native of Grenada, Mississippi, brings over 21 years of experience, diversity and a global perspective to his style of dance and arts education. A 21 veteran of the military, Leonard studied, instructed, performed and choreographed for numerous plays, galas, competitions, and entertainment events in America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Leonard lived in Germany for 12 years and was recently invited back to Frankfurt, Germany in January, 2010 to dance and act in the world premier event “Hope-The Musical” celebrating the election of the 44th President of the United States. A seasoned professional with a strong sense of community and family, Leonard has been a dance educator in the Brandon commnity for over nine years and has served as Founder and Creative Director of his first organized musical performance troupe, United Nations of Dance (UND). UND consists of over 100 artists, entertainers and supporters representing 23 countries & five continents. January 2007, Leonard’s vision to have a school of dance and traveling Performance Company under one roof became a reality with the opening of Leonard’s Academy of Dance & Centre for the Arts (LAD), April 2010. LAD is the winner of the 2011 Small Business of the Year award.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109