Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Barbara Sharief
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2021-142 waiving Section 18.43(c) of the Broward County Administrative Code (“Administrative Code”) in order to consider renaming NW 6th Court in the Broward Municipal Services District (“County Road”) in honor of Judge Zebedee Wright, a living person, and Dr. Kathleen C. Wright. (deferred from April 6, 2021 - Item 94)
ACTION: (T-10:53 AM) Approved. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 8-1. Vice-Mayor Udine dissented.
B. MOTION TO NOTE FOR THE RECORD that the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) will consider the approval of a Resolution renaming the County Road in honor of Judge Zebedee Wright and Dr. Kathleen C. Wright at the meeting of the Board on Tuesday, June 1, 2021.
(Item 38 B and C were taken up and voted on together.)
ACTION: (T-11:00 AM) Approved. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 9-0.
C. MOTION TO DIRECT County Administrator to solicit the input of at least three local municipalities, homeowners’ associations, or other appropriate community groups of the Board’s proposal to designate the County Road in honor of Judge Zebedee Wright and Dr. Kathleen C. Wright as required under Section 18.43(i) of the Administrative Code. (Commissioner Sharief)
(Item 38 B and C were taken up and voted on together.)
ACTION: (T-11:00 AM) Approved. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 9-0.
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Why Action is Necessary
Motion A is necessary to waive the Administrative Code provision that would otherwise prohibit the naming after living persons; Motions B and C, which address public notice and input, are required to accomplish the renaming.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the Board to consider the referenced renaming on June 1, 2021.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
This item proposes renaming the portion of NW 6th Court from NW 27th Avenue to NW 31st Avenue located in the Broward Municipal Services District (“County Road”) in honor of Judge Zebedee Wright (“Judge Wright”) and his late wife Dr. Kathleen C. Wright (“Dr. Wright”), a couple who have made significant contributions to Broward County (“County”). Judge Wright is a long-term resident on NW 6th Court.
Judge Wright was born in 1934, and grew up in Pahokee, Florida, where he experienced the vestiges of the Jim Crow Era. Subsequently, Judge Wright moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he was determined to get an education. He attended Dillard High School and excelled academically, allowing him to earn a scholarship to attend college. Judge Wright graduated from Florida A & M University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Thereafter, he studied law at Florida State University (“FSU”) College of Law. Judge Wright was the first African-American male student to graduate from the FSU College of Law.
After law school, Judge Wright defended civil rights as an attorney and worked in his community to mobilize the African-American community to vote. In 1982, Judge Wright, along with other attorneys, formed the T.J. Reddick Bar Association, named after Thomas J. Reddick, the first African-American attorney to open an office and practice law in Broward County, to be appointed to the Broward County Court of Record, and to be elected as a Circuit Court Judge in Florida. Judge Wright and his fellow cofounders formed the T.J. Reddick Bar Association because African-American attorneys were not being afforded equal access to law firms as attorneys or partners, or granted court appointments and judgeships, or given respect as attorneys in Broward County. Today, the T.J. Reddick Bar Association is dedicated to promoting the professional excellence of African-American lawyers in Broward County, increasing the enrollment of minority students in college and law schools including through mentoring programs, and to giving back to the community such as by making charitable contributions and conducting voter registration drives.
In 1983, Judge Wright was appointed by Governor Graham to the Broward County Court where Judge Wright served until his retirement in 2003. In addition to serving on the bench, Judge Wright has also been active on the court and on the field. Judge Wright formed the Fort Lauderdale Road Runners, a nationally recognized youth basketball program, and he has coached several little league football and basketball teams.
Dr. Wright was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1935. She attended Dillard High School and graduated as the valedictorian in 1953. After high school, Dr. Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from Florida A & M University. Upon graduating from college, Dr. Wright returned to Dillard High School where she taught for 16 years, all while earning her master’s degree and a Doctorate in Education.
In 1974, Dr. Wright successfully challenged an incumbent candidate for a seat on The School Board of Broward County (“School Board”). Dr. Wright’s historic win made her the first African-American woman to win a countywide election in the State of Florida, the first African-American woman in the state to serve on a school board, and the first African-American member of the School Board. Dr. Wright subsequently served as Vice Chairman of the School Board during a portion of her
eight-year tenure with the School Board. Dr. Wright was also an active member of the community, holding leadership positions in over 30 organizations, including the Urban League of Broward County and the Broward County Democratic Party. Dr. Wright was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she held the title of Regional Director of the Dynamic South Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., between 1978 and 1982 and served on the National Nominating Committee.
Tragically, Dr. Wright passed away in 1985, at the age of 49, after sustaining injuries in a plane crash. Her legacy lives on through the Kathleen C. Wright Foundation, and the many posthumous honors she has received including an honorary statue in front of the School Board’s offices and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Kathleen C. Wright Life Development Center.
Pursuant to Section 336.05, Florida Statutes, the Board is authorized to name and rename County-owned streets and roads. Section 18.43 of the Broward County Administrative Code (“Administrative Code”) establishes the Board’s policies for naming property, buildings, structures, or facilities, including roads.
This item (1) adopts a Resolution waiving Section 18.43(c) of the Administrative Code, which precludes naming County-owned property after living persons; (2) provides notice that the proposed designation of the County Road will be on a future Board agenda, as is required in Section 18.43(h) of the Administrative Code; and (3) directs the County Administrator to solicit community input from three local municipalities, homeowners’ associations, or other appropriate community groups. Correspondence will be included in the Board agenda item considering the proposed Resolution designating the County Road.
This item was originally placed on the April 6, 2021, Board agenda as Item 94, but the item was deferred to the April 20, 2021, Board meeting at the Board’s request.
Source of Additional Information
Launa Carbonell, Chief of Staff, District 8, 954-357-7008
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the June 1, 2021, Board Meeting.