Emerge Broward Fosters Leaders Of Tomorrow

By Nicol Jenkins
Editor

Nate Ernest-Jones has all the credentials to become a leader of tomorrow.

With guidance from his father Rhon Ernest-Jones, a businessman and former Mayor of Coral Springs and a drive to become civically involved in the community, the 20-something is already on his way. He is one of the founding members of Emerge Broward, a young professional organization that seeks to connect professionals and engage the community. 

“We’re all busy, young people and we push each other,” said Ernest-Jones. “As an active member of Emerge Broward, I have been able to grow on a professional, civic and personal level while simultaneously meeting like-minded young professionals who live and work in Broward County. It’s all about the people for me. The people I work with closely are so dedicated.”

Emerge Broward, a program of the Leadership Broward Foundation, targets young adults like Ernest Jones from 21 to 35 by promoting leadership and personal development through networking, community involvement, and educational opportunities. Founded in January of 2007, the young professional organization started with 70 founding members.

Since the group has grown to over 400 members and many are from Coral Springs.  

“The brand is building,” said Emerge Broward’s Co-Chair Shawn Sackman, referring to the recent Meet & Greet event which took place Jan. 31 and drew approximately 150 young professionals to Tarpon Bend in Fort Lauderdale.

The Meet & Greet events are networking socials that take place throughout Broward County on a quarterly basis to provide potential members the opportunity to mingle with current members and learn about the organization.

Emerge Broward has four committees based on the four pillars of the organization: Identify, Connect, Develop, and Engage. Each committee meets once a month to organize a variety of events and activities to connect members with other like-minded professionals in Broward County, develop leadership abilities, and engage them in meaningful volunteer opportunities. From seminars on how to fundraise to public speaking, golf clinics to done-in-a-day community service projects, Emerge Broward offers opportunities that meet the needs of young professionals as they nurture and grow their skills.

Ernest-Jones has become Emerge Broward’s Develop Committee Co-Chair. The Develop Committee recently hosted the event "Dynamics of Running a Board Meeting," in which the facilitator Rhon Ernest-Jones, P.E., A.I.C.P. and former Mayor of Coral Springs gave a presentation about board meeting fundamentals and assertion of effective leadership skills in a board room setting in order to achieve desired results.

The organization prides itself on making education a prime component of all its events even those that are socially driven. At a past event, members enjoyed a Miami Dolphins game and then received a tour of the stadium.

“Each event Emerge Broward produces incorporates an educational component to ensure that our members are given the opportunity to grow personally and professionally,” said Emerge Broward Co-Chair Randall Vitale. “The big picture is that we want to reach the young professionals, the people that want to better the community and contribute to the local economy.”

The organization offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to simultaneously participate in professional and social activities.

The annual membership fee is only $25 and members are not obligated to attend every gathering.

“It’s also a resume booster,” said Laurie Menekou, member and Public Relations Director. “The majority of young professionals have a college degree and work experience, but the genuine ability to demonstrate civic responsibility is an added quality and attractive to employers. One of the main goals is for our members to have the capability to serve on non-profit boards throughout Broward County in the future.”