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Volunteer Using Sign Language

Our Team

Leadership Board Members

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Board President

Jeannette M. Smith

Jeannette Smith retired as the Community Development Director from the City of Hollywood in 2010 and the City of Miami Gardens in 2022. 

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Vice President

Cara Daniel     

Director/Principal of Sheridan Technical College with over 24 years of experience in Career Technical & Adult Education Programming.  

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Treasurer

Janice Peterman 

Janice Baldwin Peterman has server as LES Treasurer for over 25 years.  Although now retired, she began  her career in banking. 

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Activity Director

Marilyn E. Franks

Marilyn Franks graduated from Hollywood Hills HS in 1973, then earned a BA in Sociology from Knoxville College in Tennessee in 1978. 

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Recording Secretary

Andrew Houghton

Andrew Houghton is a global expert specializing in the development of programs and services that promote full participation for people with disabilities and a range of users. 

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Corresponding Secretary

Natasha Jones 

Natasha Jones is a Liberia resident since birth (1981). She graduated from Nova HS in 1999 and earned Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Florida A&M University in 2004.  

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Member

Dr. Basil Theodore Phillips

Dr. Basil T. Phillips, Sr. is currently President/CEO of Liberia Civic Association and Global Village Impact, Corp., two 501(c) 3 non-profit agencies that honor the legacy of his parents the Late Reverends Wesley and Leith 

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Member

Julian Garvin   

Julian Garvin nom de guerre Shango Ra was born in 1950 in Bronx, New York. 

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Director Emeritus

Henry Graham

Henry L. Graham is a Board Member of Liberia Economic and Social Development, Inc., better known as LES, Inc. Henry L. Graham founded the LES organization back in 1982. 

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Member

Eric Bryant 

Eric W. Bryant is the Director of Contract Compliance with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, responsible for a variety of tasks including the development and implementation of government contracts. 

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Member

Jean Mario Casseus

I graduated from Berkeley College in New York City with a bachelor's degree in business administration management in June 1999.  

Staff and Key Volunteers

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Executive Director

Dr. Franklin Ferguson

Dr. Ferguson is an accomplished fundraising and development executive with extensive experience in major gifts, public and private grants, corporate partnerships, institutional philanthropy, and development operations.

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Adminstrative Support

Debra Burton

Debra Burton brings more than 30 years of experience in leadership, training, social services, and community outreach to Liberia Economic and Social Development (LES).

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Administrative Support

Betty Demps

Betty Demps has been employed with Liberia Economic and Social Development, Inc. (LES) for the past six years.

Key Volunteers

Robert Pawlyk, Office Assistance
Philips Freedman,  Social Service Intake
Marlyn Frank, Food Pantry Coordinator

Alvin Brooks, Volunteer

Gayle Myles, Volunteer
Damarshall Moore, Volunteer
Velina Dixon, Volunteer
Eugene Dixon, Volunteer
Marjorie Campbell, Volunteer
Lillette Walters, Volunteer
Larry McCain, Volunteer
Charles Mitchel, Volunteer
Patrica Travis, Volunteer
Steve Pickett, Volunteer
Alfreda Burden, Volunteer
Eleanor Franklin, Volunteer
Karlette Gardiner, Volunteer
Barbara Thomas, Volunteer

ABOUT US >

Liberia Economic & Social Development, Inc (LES) is a Community Development Corporation (CDC) and a Community Based Organization that provides certain services to low-income children and families to address family needs, such as career counseling, employment training, job retention, affordable housing, food and childcare.

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CONTACT >

T: (954) 924-3636

E: bdemps094@gmail.com

© 2035 by Liberia Economic Social Development, Inc. (LES)

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