Newly elected Miami-Dade County School Board Member, District 1, Dr. Steve Gallon III is sworn in by Dr. Solomon C. Stinson, former School Board Chair, retired educator and administrator as Kastevia Gallon-Martin, daughter of Dr. Gallon looks on.

Veteran educator Dr. Steve Gallon III was sworn-in as Miami-Dade County School Board Member for District 1, on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 before a standing room-only audience in the School Board Administration Building Auditorium. 

After being sworn-in by his mentor, former School Board chair and retired educator and school district administrator Dr. Solomon C. Stinson, Dr. Gallon delivered rousing and heartfelt remarks from the dais. It would not be an exaggeration to describe it as a Barack Obama-like moment as evidenced by the cheers from the audience. 

Video by Alecia Bethel

Congratulations to all of the other newly-elected and re-elected School Board members: Mari Tere Rojas; Lubby Navarro; Dr. Larry Feldman; Dr. Martin Karp and Susie Castillo. The new Board Chair and Vice Chair are Dr. Larry Feldman and Dr. Marta Perez. 

In addition to Dr. Stinson, other retired MDCPS veterans in attendance included Dr. Jim Moye; Dr. Mike Wagner; Tom Cerra; Dr. Shirley Johnson; Nelson Diaz and Delio Diaz. Community leaders present included Atty. H.T. Smith; Atty. Rod Vereen; Pastor Arthur Jackson; Pastor Wayne Lomax; Mayor Enid Weisman; Pierre Rutledge; Ronda Vangates; Treska Rogers; DC Clark; Kat Tynes; Larry Williams; and Darryl Holsendolph. 

Pastor Arthur Jackson of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Miami Gardens and School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon III

The celebration continued the same evening with a swearing-in ceremony in District 1. During his campaign, Board Member Gallon stressed the importance of community engagement for the students, parents and stakeholders in District 1 which includes Miami Gardens;  North Miami; Opa-Locka; and portions of Miami Lakes and North Miami Beach. 

The staff of the North Region Office, Carol City Middle School and the 5000 Role Models collaborated to present a wonderful event highlighted by student performances and Grammy-nominated spoken word artist Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns. 

At the community ceremony, Dr. Stinson stood with Dr. Gallon as the oath of office was administered by Dr. Gallon’s daughter, Kastevia Gallon-Martin. Greetings were given by City of Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert. Remarks were given by Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. City of North Miami Vice Mayor Alix Desulme made a presentation on behalf of his city. 

Additional dignitaries joining in the community celebration included Commissioner Audrey Edmonson; Commissioner Betty T. Ferguson and UPPAC leaders; Atty. Larry Handfield; Pastor Dwayne Richardson; Pastor Johnny Barber; James Wright; Terry Wright; Councilman David Williams, Jr.; Councilwoman Felicia Robinson; Retha Boone-Fye and PTA/PTSA representatives from surrounding schools.