Biography:
Recently recognized by the Florida League of Women Voters as The Future of Florida: A Young Elected Official to Watch, and the Volusia/Flagler Business Report’s Young Business Leader of the Year, Commissioner Vonzelle Johnson humbly serves as a City Commissioner in his hometown of DeLand, Florida.
Commissioner Johnson earned his B.A. in Sociology from Colgate University and his MSW from Valdosta State University. Commissioner Johnson specializes in macro practice; his areas of expertise include community empowerment and policy development and implementation. Commissioner Johnson has previously served as a social work adjunct professor at Bethune-Cookman University and the University of New England. Commissioner Johnson is currently working on his educational doctorate. He has a double concentration in organization leadership and higher education leadership.
Commissioner Johnson is the founder of Brothers Advocating Service and Inspiration in the Community, Inc., a non-profit mentoring organization that provides guidance and positive role modeling to adolescent males in the DeLand community. Commissioner Johnson leads the strategic efforts of the organization and provides oversight to the organization’s associate director and staff. Services offered range from social development to annual college tours.
A passionate higher education advocate, Commissioner Johnson also serves as the corporate relations officer at Stetson University. Within his role, Commissioner Johnson cultivates relationships with corporate donors, champions fundraising efforts for financially disadvantaged students, and engages local, state, national, and international officials to advance the institution.
Commissioner Johnson serves on the Board of Directors for The World Conference of Mayors, The Athens Theatre, The Spring Hill Community Redevelopment Agency, and the Florida League of Cities Energy and Environmental Quality Committee, and is the Special Assistant to the President of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.
Commissioner Johnson also provides service to the National League of Cities, the Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, the ALANA Faculty Council of Stetson University, and the United Way’s Campaign for Working Families Steering Committee.
Commissioner Johnson recently received an appointment to the Empowering and Educating Communities National Policy Council sponsored by the Young Elected Officials Network to work on national education reform.
Government Experience:
- Empowering and Educating Communities National Policy Council Member
- Florida League of Cities Member
- Florida League of Cities Energy and Environmental Quality Committee Member
- National League of Cities Member
- National League of Cities Human Development Committee Member
- National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Member
- National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Policy and Advocacy Committee Member
- National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, International Affairs Committee Member
- Spring Hill Community Redevelopment Agency Board Member
- The World Conference of Mayors, Inc. Board Member
- Young Elected Officials Network Member
- African-American Museum of the Arts Past Board Member
- ALANA Faculty Council of Stetson University Member
- Athens Theater Board Member
- Brothers Advocating Service and Inspiration in the Community, Inc. Founder
- National Crossover Youth Practice Model Guiding Coalition Member
- Spring Hill Neighborhood Association Member
- Stetson University Community-Based Research Partner
- Stuart Marchman Act Behavioral Healthcare Past Board Member
- United Neighbors Inspiring the Youth (UNITY) Coalition
- United Way Campaign for Working Families Steering Committee
- Volusia County 4-H Advisory Board Member
- Volusia County Schools African-American Advisory Board Member
- Volusia County Schools Minority Recruitment Advisory Board Member
- Volusia County Schools Partner
Affiliations
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce
- Mainstreet DeLand Association
- Tiger Bay Club
- Volusia County Association for Responsible Development
- West Volusia Young Professionals Group
Personal
Many longtime DeLand residents have a strong appreciation for Vonzelle. He grew up in DeLand and returned as a professional to repay the city for its efforts in helping raise him.
In his spare time Vonzelle enjoys reading, golf, and writing. Vonzelle is looking forward to retaining the historical value of DeLand while also helping the city meet the demands of an ever-changing society.
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