4th Annual Courage & Confidence Awards Benefiting Children Living with Chronic Pain
2024 Hosts
Nik Harris -She/They
VP- Strategic Outreach and Engagement -HRC
Nik Harris (she/they), is a queer gender non-conforming attorney, activist, and speaker. She is a native of Tallahassee, Florida and obtained her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Florida A&M University and her law degree from Florida State University. She is licensed to practice law in Florida and Washington DC.
Nik is the Vice President of Strategic Outreach and Engagement for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. They previously served as the LGBTQ+ Director for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This position was appointed by Commissioner Nikki Fried and was the first LGBTQ+ position to a member of the Florida Cabinet. Prior to this appointment, Nik served as Senior Attorney at the Florida Department of Transportation, prosecutor at the Florida Department of Health and a 2nd Judicial Circuit Public Defender. Nik is certified by Cornell University to conduct training on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and is certified as an Intercultural Development Inventory specialist. She has facilitated DEI training for organizations across the country, including the NAACP, General Mills and the American Bar Association.
She was the first Black woman elected to serve as Vice-Chair of the HRC National Board of Governors. She serves on the boards of Ruth’s List, TransInclusive Group, Broward County Sheriff’s Social Justice Task Force, and Broward State Attorney’s Advisory Council. They are a BIG in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Pride Program. In 2020 she was one of eight people selected across the country as a Victory Empowerment Fellow. One of Nik’s proudest achievements is the founding of “Thou Art Woman”, a signature open mic event, with her friend and fellow attorney Ghenete “G” Wright. The event series celebrates LGBTQ+ women and their allies through performance and visual art. Thou Art Woman was the 2022 recipient of the Tomorrow Legacy Award from SunServe in Florida.
Attorney Harris has been the recipient of countless awards, including the 2022 BIG of the Year for Broward County, 2021 Harvey Milk Foundation: Diversity Honors Award recipient; 2020 recipient of the LGBTQ Leadership Award by the Florida Diversity Council; and the 2019 Ruth’s List: Women Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award. She is an award-winning Toastmaster who speaks across the country in support of equality. In 2022 she helped found Black LGBTQ+ Liberation Inc., a non-profit organization seeking to enrich and enhance the lives of LGBTQ+ people of color.
Major Ty Shaw-Williams - She/Her
Road Patrol Major with the Miramar Police Department(MPD)
Major Ty Shaw-Williams is a Road Patrol Major with the Miramar Police Department specializing in Restorative Justice and a proud Adjunct Professor with the Department of Criminal Justice at Broward College.
As a teenager, after witnessing strained relationships between law enforcement and her community, Major Shaw promised to pursue a career in Law Enforcement to improve community relations. Major Shaw began her career in 2005 with the Margate Police Department as a Victim Advocate, Domestic Violence Practitioner. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Criminology in 2008, she joined the Miramar Police Department, where she happily serves today.
During her tenure with the Miramar Police Department, she worked in the capacity of:
- Road patrol
- Safe Streets
- Community Resource Officer (Mentor in DREAM Youth Program in partnership with Park and Recs)
- Community Service Aides’ Sergeant (Unit Citation Recipient)
- Public Information Officer
- Criminal Investigation’s Sergeant (Recipient of 2nd “Excellence in Policing Awards)
- Internal Affairs Sergeant.
- Coordinator for Miramar’s “Breaking Barriers” Program with the Urban League of Broward County.
Today, her current professional roles within the Miramar Police Department include the following:
- Community Relations Advocate for the Broward County State Attorney’ HATE TASKFORCE.
- Oversees Miramar PD’s new Social Worker Program
- Miramar PD’s Community Relations and Outreach Coordinator
- Commander of Miramar’s Field Training Program
- Ethnics instructor for the Citizen’s Academy
- Advisor for Miramar’s Youth Explorer program
- BPAD Evaluator
- Restorative Justice Facilitator with the Urban League of Broward.
- Miramar’s Big Brothers-Big Sisters Coordinator (Bigs in Badges/Blue)
- Board Member Healing Arts Institute of South Florida International, Inc.
Major Shaw is the recipient of two Excellence Police Service Awards and her agency’s highest award, “The Chief’s Leadership Award.” She is a mother, wife, and community advocate. Major Shaw is also a proud breast cancer survivor, yogi, and world traveler.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
2024 Honorees
Julie Uderitz - She/Her
Sacred Breath Center
The Discovery Award
The candidate for this category is a thought leader and unsung hero who serves as role model and inspires others to create change in their lives, communities, and the world. The awardee is someone who has leveraged their self-discovery and lived experiences to help empower others socially and emotionally.
Throughout her 10+ years as a facilitator in transformational leadership development, Julie has refined her skills in guiding individuals toward their fullest potential. She has also held pivotal roles in various leadership capacities, including founding and managing several nonprofit initiatives such as The Scott Maurer Memorial Foundation and Transforming Kids, as well as serving as the President of the Board of Education Rocks. Julie has also been actively involved in leading and contributing to numerous school and community initiatives.
As a mother of four sons and a bonus daughter, Julie’s experiences in parenthood have deepened her understanding of humanity. She views every life experience as an opportunity to gain insight into the complexities of human existence.
In pursuit of her vision to create a space for healing and self-discovery, Julie founded the Sacred Breath Center in Delray Beach. This sanctuary serves as a
haven for individuals seeking to explore, heal, and reconnect with their inner selves through the transformative power of breath. Julie’s life story is a testament to her unwavering commitment to personal growth, learning, and positively influencing the lives of those around her. Through her dedication to creating spaces of healing and growth, Julie continues to inspire and uplift others on their own journeys of self-discovery and transformation.
Julie is a lifelong learner and student of humanity, approaching life with urgency and compassion. Her dedication to helping others is unwavering, making her a true humanitarian at heart.
Gregory A. Haile - He/His
Deputy Chair – Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Vision Award
The candidate for this category has demonstrated vision and forward-thinking in thought and action as they lead the community forward. The awardee uses their voice as a leader to bring awareness of historical, new, or rising concerns and uses visionary leadership to demonstrate the importance of identifying needs and finding solutions to helping others to become socially and emotionally empowered.
Prior to becoming the college’s president, Mr. Haile served as the college’s general counsel and vice president for public policy and government affairs.
Mr. Haile serves as deputy chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Recently, Mr. Haile was appointed to serve on the TTC Talent for Growth Task Force, cochaired by the US Secretary of Commerce and designed to support talent development throughout the United States and the European Union. He also serves as chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and on the boards of Achieving the Dream, the Everglades Foundation, Florida TaxWatch, BBX Capital, and the United Way of Broward County. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He also teaches a self-designed four-credit course in higher education law and policy at Harvard University.
Mr. Haile earned his BS degree from Arizona State University (magna cum laude) and graduated from Columbia University School of Law in 2002 (Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar), where he served as the editor-in-chief of the National Black Law Journal and as an editor of the Journal on Gender and Law. He is a fellow of the Vanderbilt University Higher Education Management Institute and received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Nova Southeastern University.
Debbie Levine - She/Her
Executive Director – Boca Raton Police Foundation
BE You Award
The candidate for this category has demonstrated the ability to illustrate that they are a leader on their terms. By being true to who they are, the awardee leads and inspires others to become socially and emotionally empowered to live their fully expressed lives.
A fundraising veteran, Ms. Levine, rose through the ranks at small non-profits and served as a consultant for over 25 educational, social service, and cultural arts organizations during her career. Throughout her career she has successfully generated and stewarded over $30 million in philanthropic revenue. In 2007, she earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive credential demonstrating proven mastery of ethical, best practice fundraising.
Debbie has spent the last ten years serving in leadership roles on the executive boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Fort Lauderdale/Broward Chapter and the AFP Florida Caucus, where she is a sought-after speaker in the community on topics such as annual giving, stewardship, major gifts, special events, and volunteer management.
Debbie was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional by the AFP Fort Lauderdale/Broward Chapter for her fundraising accomplishments and has received the Richard L. Schmidt Alumni Talon Award Winner from Florida Atlantic University for her outstanding leadership, support, and service to the university. She also serves as a volunteer for the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.
When she is not working or volunteering, Debbie can often be found enjoying live music or spending time with her two daughters.
Rebecca Fishman Lipsey - She/Her
President & CEO – The Miami Foundation
Creative Contribution Award
The candidate for this award is a person who demonstrates creativity to drive positive change in various forms in our community.
They have a proven track record of creating innovative solutions to address various social issues, helping others to become socially and emotionally empowered.
Their ability to think outside the box and apply creative thinking is truly remarkable.
Prior to leading The Miami Foundation, Rebecca was the youngest person in history appointed to the Florida Board of Education, overseeing educational policy impacting 3 million children from kindergarten through college. Rebecca founded Radical Partners, an incubator for social impact ventures. She started her career as a public school teacher, inspired by her grandparents’ experience as refugees years ago.
Rebecca was named “Best Non-Profit Executive” by The International Stevie Award for Women in Business; “Best Role Model” by Miami Today, and “20 Under 40″ by The Miami Herald. She holds a master’s from Bank Street College of Education and graduated as valedictorian of her University of Pennsylvania undergraduate class. When she’s not building a stronger Miami, you can find Rebecca banging on the piano, walking around the neighborhood with her husband of 19 years, and serving as a personal assistant to her two young boys.
What is the Courage & Confidence Awards?
The Courage & Confidence Awards is an annual fundraiser to benefit kids with chronic pain put on by Bowtie Kids out of Wilton Manors, FL. It highlights those who are willing to be courageous and confident in taking on their own lives as they advocate for the lives of others. It is an inspiring, powerful event where community enthusiasts, supporters, advocates, and philanthropists come to celebrate honorees for their impact on the community and cheer on our courageous models—a night of empowerment promoting self-acceptance and self-expression as truth.
2023 Highlights
What Happens at The Courage & Confidence Awards?
Along with honoring the honorees, we will have live performances and two fashion shows designed to inspire courage and confidence by challenging the social norms of beauty and fashion. This fundraiser allows kids and community leaders to express themselves fully. It is an excellent opportunity for kids to fully embrace themselves as we encourage them to choose their outfits to model for the show.