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ORLANDO, Fla – The Florida A&M University National Alumni Association (FAMU NAA) will honor the 2019 class of Distinguished Alumni Award recipients during its annual gala scheduled Friday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. in Birmingham, Alabama at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel.
Each year, the FAMU NAA celebrates and acknowledges supportive alumni who have distinguished themselves in their respective professions. The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest award bestowed by the FAMU NAA. This accolade recognizes alumni who have made notable and documentable contributions to the University (finance, recruitment, etc.) and their professions and/or categories. FAMU Law Professor Phyllis Taite is being recognized with the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award for accomplishments in education having taught at FAMU Law for 16 years.
Taite said, “I am truly honored and blessed to be nominated to receive this prestigious award from my beloved alma mater for doing something that I love. While being recognized is always special, in this case, it is extra special to be recognized in this class of Rattlers with my sister in heaven, Angela M. Bledsloe, who was also accomplished and distinguished in her field.”
Phyllis Taite is a tenured Professor of Law at Florida A&M University College of Law. She holds an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law, and a J.D. from Florida State University College of Law and a B.S. from Florida A&M University.
She teaches Wills and Estates, Trusts and Fiduciary Administration, Estate & Gift Tax, Federal Income Tax and other estates or tax-related courses. She has also taught, Property I and Property II, Partnership Taxation, Trial Practice, Torts, and Florida Constitutional Law.
Prior to teaching, she practiced law for approximately eight years as a commissioned officer and attorney in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) where she provided estate planning needs to soldiers serving throughout the country and overseas.
The 2019 FAMU NAA Distinguished Alumni Award recipients include:
Ms. Angela M. Bledsoe – (Posthumous), Business
Hon. Keisha L. Bottoms, Esq. – Atlanta, GA, Law/Government
Mr. Howard C. Burton – Tuskegee, AL, Business
Mr. Otis Cliatt, ll – Dove Canyon, CA, Business
LTC (Ret.) Milton D. Corley, Sr. – Deland, FL, Community Service
Dr. Shawnta S. Friday-Stroud – Tallahassee, FL, Business
Hon. Oliver G. Gilbert lll, Esq. – Miami Gardens, FL, Law/Government
Mr. Henry Lawrence – Palmetto, FL, Athletics
Dr. Layla McCall Stafford – Charlotte, NC, Community Service
Ms. Yolanda L. Pinkard – Conyers, GA, Technology
Mr. John Pugh – Saginaw, MI, Community Service
Hon. Rodney Smith, Esq. – Miami, FL, Law/Government
Phyllis Taite, Esq. – Ocoee, FL, Education
Ms. Natalie White – Los Angeles, CA, Athletics
Mr. Harry B. Williams – Port St. Lucie, FL, Community Service
Mr. William Youmans, III – Gotha, FL, Science/Technology
For more information, visit: http://famualumniconvention.com/.
