The Honorable Felicia M. Brunson
Mayor, City of West Park
A gallant champion for the people, Felicia Mychele Brunson decided early in her life that she was going to be the change she wanted to see in her community and the world. Hailing from “The Mecca of Broward County” Carver Ranches, Brunson began constructing change in her community right after graduating from college. Becoming involved with the Homeowners Association, Brunson’s hunger for change drove her to become Vice President, and eventually became instrumental in the move to incorporate Carver Ranches and the surrounding unincor-porated communities into Broward County’s 31st city. In 2005 she was elected one of the inaugural Commis-sion members. Since then she has also served as Vice Mayor and now the first African American female Mayor.
In her spare time through her own nonprofit organization Visions of Images, Inc., Brunson mentors, volunteers time feeding senior citizens, coordinates back to school supplies for needy students, provides Thanksgiving bas-kets and Christmas gifts to needy families, coordinates senior social activities and health fairs, and provides a well-balanced summer female youth development program for young girls aged 7-18. Visions has been actively engaged for 20 years.
Because of her activism, Brunson has continued to gain support from various groups and organizations. In addi-tion, she has gained an immense amount of support from her constituents and colleagues. Receiving a multi-tude of awards, Brunson is particular appreciative of the NAACP’s 2004 Recipient of the NAACP Eula G. Johnson Community Servant Award, the Women Elected to Municipal Government Empowering Women Award, ABWA Government Official of the Year, the Top Hat Community Service Award, 2011 South Florida Freedom Sister Award, the 2012 League of Women Voters Young Elected Official to Watch , the 2013 Broward Black Elected Official Community Service Honoree, 2013 Florida State University Outstanding Alumni Honoree, 2014 and 2016 Broward Sheriff Office Special Recognition Award, 2015 Recognition as a Founder for the City of West Park, inducted into 2016 Broward County’s Women Hall of Fame and most recently selected as one of the 2018 Most Outstanding Women in Broward County, the National Foundation for Women Legislators 2018 Elected Women of Excellence award winner, the Women for Florida State University 2020 Gift of Wisdom Award win-ner the Florida Commission on the Status of Women 2020 Spirit of Community Award Winner and the 2022 President Joe Biden Lifetime Achievement Service Award.
Never too busy to give back to her community and the people who helped her succeed, Brunson currently holds membership with Leadership Florida. She currently serves as Broward League of Cities President, Broward Community and Family Health Center Broward Board Chair, Charter Schools of Excellence Board, Broward Coun-ty Planning Council Board Member, MPO Board Member, Florida League of Mayors Board of Directors, FBC-LEO (Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials) Board of Directors, a Women of Tomorrow Mentor, National League of Cities Small Cities Committee member and Executive Board of Director for the Florida League of Cities.
A graduate of Florida State University, she received her BS (Bachelor of Science) degree in Communications with specialization in Journalism from Florida A&M university. From Nova Southeastern University, she has an MS (Master of Science) degree in English Education and an Ed.S (Educational Specialist) degree in Administration and Management of Educational Programs.
To conclude, Brunson hopes to leave a legacy for many youth to emulate. Her love of service is equal to her love for all the people she serves in the community of West Park, Broward County, the state of Florida and the world. For she realizes her zealous work is dedicated to the urgency of the writer and environmentalist Terry Tempest Williams, “The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time.