Sia Baker-Barnes to become first Black female president of Florida Bar

Published

5 months ago

December 21, 2023

Ron

Sia Baker-Barnes remembers weekends spent with her father watching the NFL Draft, imagining what it would be like to hear her name called.

She heard it last weekend. That’s when she learned she had been elected without opposition as the president-elect designate of the Florida Bar the third-largest mandatory bar in the United States.

“I didn’t get to walk across the stage or hold up a jersey, but, you know, it sort of felt like that draft moment,” she told WPTV on Wednesday. “It was really special. I was with my parents, my kids, my husband. It was really nice.”

It’s not just special. It’s also historic.

That distinction means she’ll become the first Black female president in the Florida Bar’s history.

Baker-Barnes called it “a great honor.”

Although the Florida Bar was officially established in 1950, its origins are more than 100 years old, dating to 1889, Baker-Barnes said.

“So, it’s been a long time,” she said.

The Florida Bar is the umbrella organization that regulates the practice of law in the state, as well as providing training and continuing legal education, “all designed to help us deliver better services to our clients and to the citizens of the state.”

Under the staggered election rollout, Baker-Barnes would assume the role of president-elect in June 2024 and become president in 2025.

She follows a long history of Palm Beach County attorneys who have represented the Florida Bar at the highest level, most recently Gary Lesser in 2022.

In all, there have been nine presidents from Palm Beach County since Horner C. Fisher first led the Florida Bar in 1953. WPTV legal analyst Michelle Suskauer became the first woman from Palm Beach County to serve in that role in 2018.

“I’m really proud that Palm Beach County has such a long legacy of presidents of the Florida Bar,” Baker-Barnes said. “I’m lucky to know all of them, really, and be mentored by all of them. I think it’s a great testament to our legal community here in Palm Beach County. We’re a large county, but our legal community is really close-knit.”

As a shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, Baker-Barnes chairs the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee. She is a board-certified civil trial lawyer who has spent her entire 23-year career practicing at the same law firm.

Although born in Tampa, Baker-Barnes has called Palm Beach County home since she was 3 years old, when her father took a job with the state attorney’s office.

“I grew up here,” Baker-Barnes said. “I went to elementary, middle, high school here in Palm Beach County, and then when I came back from law school, I started my career here and I’ve been here ever since.”

Her connection to the Palm Beach County legal community predates her time as a lawyer.

Baker-Barnes is the daughter of retired Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Moses Baker Jr., who was appointed by then-Gov. Lawton Chiles in 1994. He replaced Judge Daniel Hurley, for whom the main Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach is named.

“He’s very humble” and “quietly powerful,” Baker-Barnes said of her father.

Her mother also served as the head of the Florida Department of Corrections in Palm Beach County.

“They both are just phenomenal examples for me and my siblings here,” Baker-Barnes said. “They taught us, growing up, the importance of not only, you know, education, but also the importance of giving back. And they were living examples of it.”

She said they were both “deeply involved in the community and giving back.”

“People often ask, like, ‘How did you end up doing this?’ And I just say this has, like, been engrained in me from day one, like, you must, you know, do this,” Baker-Barnes said. “And you may not understand it when you’re young why it’s so important, but as you live through it, you really understand that it’s not about you. You know, as honored as I am to be in this role and as great of an opportunity as it is, it’s not about me. It’s about creating that opportunity and being an asset to the next person.”

Baker-Barnes has dual degrees from Florida State University, where she studied communications as an undergraduate before attending law school there. Don’t get her started on Florida State’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff.

“I’m not happy about it,” she said. “I mean, we’re 13-0. I’m a die-hard Seminole. I’m a graduate undergrad of Florida State, law school at Florida State. I met my husband at Florida State. Like, great things happened in Tallahassee.”

After returning to Palm Beach County, she made sure to stay active in the community, serving on the boards of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Florida Justice Association Young Lawyers Section, among others. She became the first Black woman elected president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association in 2017 and has served on the board of the Florida Bar since 2018.

“I feel like I’m still taking it all in, honestly,” Baker-Barnes said of her most recent distinction. “You know, it’s a great honor and an amazing opportunity.”

She’s reminded of a saying from former tennis star Billie Jean King: “Pressure’s a privilege.”

“Yes, it does come with a great deal of pressure and a great deal, I think, of responsibility, but it’s also a great privilege to be able to serve in this role and, hopefully, continue to open doors for the next one, you know, to walk through,” she said.

It’s something Palm Beach County’s last female Florida Bar president knows Baker-Barnes is prepared to handle.

“Having known Sia for 15 years, she is a highly skilled advocate, a generous and selfless friend, and will be an incredible and inspirational leader for our profession,” Suskauer said.

Baker-Barnes said she’s appreciative of her employer for allowing her the opportunity to serve in the role and hopes to serve as an inspiration for other women in the legal community.

“I’m a mom of three. I’m a trial lawyer. I’m married. I have a family and, you know, a lot of times, I think, especially women lawyers, they feel like, ‘You can’t do this. I’ve got to give something up,'” she said. “And, so, if I were to be able to say anything from this, I would say, ‘Don’t give up, you know, that you can do it. It’s not easy and there are going to be tough and difficult times.’ But I’ve been really blessed to have a supportive family, a supportive law firm, a supportive community that continue to lift me up and encourage me, and, you know, I hope that it’s an inspiration to other women that they can do this too.”

By: Peter Burke
Title: Sia Baker-Barnes to become first Black female president of Florida Bar
Sourced From: www.wptv.com/news/palm-beach-county/sia-baker-barnes-to-become-first-black-female-president-of-florida-bar
Published Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2023 19:17:59 GMT

Ron

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18-year-old music prodigy earns Master’s Degree at Indiana University

Published

1 week ago

May 5, 2024

Ron

An 18-year-old music prodigy is making history this year.

Tiara Abraham earned her Masters Degree from Indiana University on Friday. The accomplishment makes her the youngest to do so in 2024 across all IU campuses statewide, and up next is her doctorate.

“Today has been a whirlwind of emotion. It’s been full of joy, said Abraham.

The teen graduated from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music with a master’s degree in music of voice. She accomplished it all before even getting her driver’s license.

“A lot of hard work and perseverance as with many other graduates. That’s how we ended up here graduating, and I just feel very proud of myself, she said.

The California teen moved across the country with her mom at just 16 to begin the IU masters program in music, one of the top schools in the world.

“I started college, community college, at 7 years old, so I’ve definitely gotten used to being the youngest in the classroom, she said.

Now, she’s the youngest person to earn the degree across all IU campuses in 2024, and she did it with a 4.0 GPA throughout her academic career.

“We’re extremely proud of her. At such a young age finishing a masters; that’s amazing. This is her time, said her dad, Bijou Abraham.

It’s just that looking back over the last two years, the challenges she had and how she persevered it. She’s brave and she’s worked hard, added her mom Dr. Taji Abraham. Now its time for her to celebrate and were just happy to see that success.”

Tiara Abraham became a Mensa member at age 4, began college courses at age 7, and celebrated her Sweet 16 with an undergraduate degree from UC Davis in California.

It’s the same school where her older brother Tanishq earned his doctorate at age 19.

For Abraham, its not just about hitting the textbooks. The prodigy also has a passion for music. She began classical voice training at just 7 years old.

“Ever since then, I’ve just been performing around the world. Ive performed at Carnegie Hall, and internationally in Italy and the Vatican. It’s been such a joy to be able perform because it’s something I truly enjoy, said Abraham.

Although the teen is used to being the youngest in the room, it isnt always easy doing so when it comes to classical music.

A lot of the times, some people will kind of dismiss me because they say Im too young, she said.

The teen hasnt let that discourage her from pushing to learn more throughout the years.

“She wants to learn. She wants to grow. She wants to be right, we have at least four or five languages. We have to be able to sing in like French, Italian, German, English and sometimes Spanish, explained Patricia Stiles, an IU professor of music (Voice) whos worked with Abraham for the last two years.

She just wants it to be good; she wants to do the best she can, she added.

Now, the teen has her sights set high for an even brighter future.

“I’m going to stay here at Indiana University for my doctorate.”

After that, the teen wants to continue breaking down barriers on the big stage.

“My dream job is to perform around the world in established opera houses and just make people happy with my voice, she said.

I truly believe in the power of music, and Im blessed with a beautiful voice, and I just want to make use of that,” she said.

Abraham has been invited to sing at several commencement ceremonies at many reknown places over the years. She will sing the national anthem at IU’s undergrad ceremony on Saturday.

This article was originally published by

Naja Woods for Scripps News Indianapolis.

By: Naja Woods
Title: 18-year-old music prodigy earns Master’s Degree at Indiana University
Sourced From: www.wptv.com/life/good-news/18-year-old-music-prodigy-earns-masters-degree-at-indiana-university
Published Date: Sun, 05 May 2024 14:58:13 GMT

Ron

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‘It was just donation after donation’: Buffalo Bills fans support rookie receiver’s nonprofit in bulk

Published

2 weeks ago

May 3, 2024

Ron

Buffalo Bills fans are back at it, donating to the charities of their favorite players. This time, the “Buffalove” is benefiting an organization very close to the heart of rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman.

Loren Carrieres phone has been ringing off the hook. Hes the executive director of Hope for Opelousas, a nonprofit in Colemans hometown, Opelousas, Louisiana.

At about 5:30 p.m. [Wednesday], I started getting emails,” Carriere said. “It was just donation after donation.”

After a few messages about their organization on social media went viral, Bills Mafia took it from there and have donated in bulk. As of Thursday afternoon, the nonprofit had received more than 300 donations from western New Yorkers, worth more than $3,500.

To add an extra incentive, a donor in Louisiana is matching donations up to $50,000 as well.

Were a small organization, so as the donations were coming in, I was calling individual people that left phone numbers and had some amazing conversations with people, Carriere said. Its just super cool to meet the down-to-earth people from Buffalo, because Opelousas is just like that.

The organization meets 100 students after school every day to help them with schoolwork, mentor them, and just give them a fun and safe place to hang out. Coleman himself grew up in this program and has shared several messages about helping them out.

What can you tell us about Keon Coleman, the person? Scripps News Buffalo reporter Derek Heid asked.

What you experienced [Saturday at Coleman’s first team press conference] is just a normal day for Keon, Carriere said. He is just going to continue to be him, show you who he is, and have fun in the process.

Hes going to fit in great: Buffalo Bills WR Keon Colemans eye for discounts wins over fans

Carriere said that all the profits will go to expanding the program to help even more kids growing up just like Coleman.

We appreciate you, we thank you and look forward to building with you,” he added.

This story was originally published by Derek Heid at

Scripps News Buffalo.

By: Scripps News Buffalo
Title: ‘It was just donation after donation’: Buffalo Bills fans support rookie receiver’s nonprofit in bulk
Sourced From: www.wptv.com/life/good-news/it-was-just-donation-after-donation-buffalo-bills-fans-support-rookie-receivers-nonprofit-in-bulk
Published Date: Fri, 03 May 2024 16:41:34 GMT

Ron

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8th-grader saves school bus from potential crash after driver has medical emergency

Published

2 weeks ago

May 1, 2024

Ron

A quick-thinking 8th-grader saved the day when his school bus driver had a medical emergency last week.

Acie Holland III noticed the bus carrying him and his fellow students was starting to veer into an oncoming lane. He told Scripps News Milwaukee he then noticed his school bus driver was unresponsive.

“As we got about 20 feet down [the street], I was looking at my phone, and I looked back up and I felt the bus accelerate,” Holland III said. “And I looked at the bus driver because she went past my stop, and I looked and I seen her head just go down.”

That’s when the 8th grader sprung into action, moving the bus driver’s foot off the gas and hitting the brakes.

“I ran up there. I took control of the bus because I was scared, but at the same time, I was, like, I wanted to just make sure everyone was okay and that nothing was gonna happen while I was there,” Holland III added.

The boy then securely parked the bus, contacted 911 and told the younger students to call their parents. He also called his grandma, who is a nurse, to help in the situation.

The driver soon regained consciousness and was able to call her dispatch, who sent an alternate driver to finish out the route.

“He’s an ace,” the boy’s father, Acie Holland II, said. “It’s nice to know that he’s carrying that name along, so that makes me feel awesome.”

Since Holland III was young, the two have spent time working on cars and learning about mechanics.

“It didn’t phase me because I know that he’s capable of almost anything,” said Holland II.

And the brave kid also helped save the day for Scripps News Milwaukee; he helped jump the dead battery for a station news car while at Glen Hills Middle School.

The Glen Hills school community said it could not be any prouder of their student, which was evident as students chanted “AC-Hero” when school let out on Thursday.

“The compassion and leadership that we see him exhibit daily was taken to the next level on his bus ride home,” the middle school said in a letter to the campus community. “We are grateful that all of our Glen Hills students are safe and are wishing their driver a healthy recovery.”

The young man is also an excellent wrestler and enjoys go-karting. He credits the positive impact his family has had on him for his quick-thinking and confidence.

“That just comes from being raised around positive people and being surrounded by positive people,” Holland III said.

This story was originally published by Mike Beiermeister and Jay Sirkin on

Scripps News Milwaukee

. By: Scripps News Milwaukee
Title: 8th-grader saves school bus from potential crash after driver has medical emergency
Sourced From: www.wptv.com/life/good-news/8th-grader-saves-school-bus-from-potential-crash-after-driver-has-medical-emergency
Published Date: Wed, 01 May 2024 21:33:32 GMT