Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Alumni Hall of Fame
2023
Miami Palmetto Senior High - Class of 1988
First Black Woman to serve on the Supreme Court
FIrst Former Federal Public Defender to serve on the Supreme Court
Vice Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission
Graduate of Harvard University
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Making history as the first Black Woman to serve on the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson traces her love of law to the time she spent with her father in their apartment doing homework. He tackled law school while she tackled preschool. A Miami Palmetto Senior High Alumnus, she went on to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard University, and then cum laude from Harvard Law School, where she was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. Justice Brown is the First Former Federal Public Defender to serve on the Supreme Court. As Vice Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission, her work focused on reducing unwarranted sentencing disparities. Among the many honors she has received are the 2021 Constance Baker Motley Award, Empowering Women of Color from Columbia Law School, and the 2019 Stars of the Bar Award from the Women's Bar Association of the District of
Columbia.
Albert E. Dotson, Jr.
Miami Palmetto Senior High - Class of 1978
Bilzin Sumberg Managing Partner
Florida National Judicial Nominating Commission Member
100 Black Men Chairman Emeritus
Graduate of Dartmouth College and Vanderbilt University Law
Named “Miami Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America and the first
in his family to attend a four-year institution, Albert Dotson, Jr., graduated from
Miami Palmetto Senior. Managing partner for Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price &
Axelrod, he is nationally recognized for his work involving public-private
partnerships. In 2014, he was appointed by former President Barack Obama to
the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African
Americans to advance equity and economic opportunity. Recently appointed as a
member of RENEW 305, an economic development plan to restore and invigorate
Miami-Dade’s economic growth, he credits his success to mentors who guided
him in the legal profession and modeled how to “pay it forward” by serving his
community.
Gerald C. Grant, Jr.
Miami Edison Senior High - Class of 1973
G Financial Group President
Former Equitable Advisors Financial Planning Branch Director
Author of Bold Moves to Creating Financial Wealth
Graduate of Florida International University
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From washing dishes to accomplished entrepreneur, this Miami Edison Senior graduate’s
success in financial planning began with a passion for playing dominoes and a gift for math.
President of G Financial Group, Gerald Grant, Junior holds several FINRA Series Securities
Registrations, and masterfully guides his clients in estate planning strategies, wealth
accumulation, and retirement. He’s authored the book BOLD MOVES to Creating Financial
Wealth that teaches critical elements of financial management, and co-authored with his son, a second book entitled The Power of Generational Wealth. An active member of the South Florida community, he serves as a director on multiple boards, including FIU’s Foundation, the Orange Bowl Committee, and the Adrienne Arsht Center.
James Haj
Southwest Miami Senior High - Class on 1986
CEO of The Children's Trust
Former MDCPS Administrator
Miami Coalition for Christians & Jews Silver Medallion Recipient
Graduate of the University of Miami and Florida State University
A devoted champion for children, James Haj serves as President and CEO for The Children’s Trust. The son of middle eastern immigrants was rooted in education by his parents, who worked at his alma mater -- Southwest Miami Senior. With an MBA in business management from the University of Miami and a B.S. in education from Florida State University, Haj also chose Miami-Dade County Public Schools. During his 25-year career, he rose to assistant superintendent; acting as chief negotiator with five labor unions representing more than 31,000 full-time employees. Recipient of South Florida Business and Wealth Magazine’s 2020 Apogee Award and a 2022 MCCJ Silver Medallion awardee, he was tapped by
the Miami Herald for their Florida Influencers Series.
Udonis Haslem
Miami Senior High - Class of 1998
Longest-Tenured NBA Player
3-time NBA Champion with the Miami Heat
First Undrafted NBA Player to set Franchise Rebounding Record
Graduate of the University of Florida
Most people know Udonis Haslem “UD” as the current Captain of the Miami Heat,
a three-time NBA Champion, and the longest-tenured player in the franchise’s
history. Also widely known as the “OG” and “Mr. 305,” Udonis was born and
raised in Liberty City. A Miami High graduate, the Stingarees retired his No. 40
jersey this past December in an emotional ceremony prior to the boys’ basketball
game. Dedicating time to promoting youth development and self-confidence
through programs designed to enable children to reach their full potential, he
founded The Udonis Haslem Foundation. UD has never forgotten from where he
comes and consistently turns his own life experiences into opportunities to help
others.
Roberto R. Muñoz
Miami Spring Senior High - Class of 1975
ELITE Family Office Founder and President/CEO
Scouts of America South Florida Council President and Chairman
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Chairman
Graduate of Florida International University
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Roberto Muñoz, a Miami Springs Senior graduate, understood the cultural values
of different communities and families at a young age. He was born in the
Republic of Panama, arriving to the states with his parents at 6 months old, only
to relocate to Hong Kong during elementary, and return during middle school.
These world travels were the foundation for his 40-year financial industry career
covering Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Now, he is the proud
President, Chief Operating Officer, and Founder of ELITE Family Office. Currently
Chair of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; he also holds the keys to
several municipalities. However, the one who holds the key closest to his heart, is his dear wife, Tere.
Madeline Pumariega
Hialeah Senior High - Class of 1985
First Female President of Miami Dade College
First Female and Hispanic Chancellor - Florida College System
Former Take Stock in Children President
Graduate of St. Thomas and Florida Atlantic University
Meet Madeline Pumariega, first woman president of Miami Dade College, the
institution she attended decades earlier as a student-athlete. After graduating
from Hialeah Senior, Pumariega’s love for academics and passion for innovation in
higher education was born out of her experiences as a student, administrator, and
assistant coach for MDC’s women’s basketball team. In her leadership roles as
former President and CEO of Take Stock in Children, the Executive Vice President
and Provost of Tallahassee Community College and the Chancellor of the Florida
College System, she views her presidency as the opportunity of a lifetime. It gives
her the ability to serve students just like her -- looking for a chance to realize their dreams and succeed.