WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Freshman Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick touted her strengths and achievements as well as the initiatives she plans to tackle in Washington, D.C., as keynote speaker for the Urban League of Palm Beach County’s 48th Annual Equal Opportunity Day Breakfast on May 19 in West Palm Beach.

Before, during and after she took the stage at the Airport Hilton, members of the crowd scrambled to get photographs and video of the energetic young Democrat, who won a special election to fill the remainder of the two-year 20th congressional district term left vacant by the untimely death of longtime U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, April 6, 2021, from pancreatic cancer.

Cherfilus-McCormick, whose district spans Broward and Palm Beach counties, said the housing crisis “has hit our area more than any other area in the United States. We’re focusing on housing, economic development, healthcare, racial (strife). We must open up an opportunity for all. We can’t ignore the battles we face.

“Let’s remember why we’re here,” she said. “I’m happy to see the movement we’ve put forth thus far. I’m proud to serve Broward and Palm Beach counties.”

Cherfilus-McCormick also credited the Urban League for steering her to an HBCU for college. “It was the Urban League that took me on a Black college tour as I chose Howard University for school.”

She praised the organization for making a difference in her life and the lives of so many others. “Urban League thank you so much for pouring into me,” she told Urban League brass.

She urged the audience to turn within and seek to make a difference. “Look into your higher calling.”

West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James applauded as a guest speaker cited the effectiveness of his Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Equality, created in 2020 in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, and the success of other undertakings since he was elected in 2019.

Urban League President and CEO Patrick Franklin was presented a surprise donation of $125,000 from Florida Power & Light (FPL) for the league.

During the awards ceremony FPL received the Community Champion Award. A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to George T. Elmore, founder and owner of Hardrives, Inc. The Trailblazer Award was presented to Ava L. Parker, president of Palm Beach State College.

In addition, the Youth Achievement Award recipient was Gabriel Gerig, a senior and class president at Inlet Grove Community High School. The Cliff Viner Leadership Award recipients were Ronald and Cynthia Williams, the Urban League of Palm Beach County Foundation Board of Directors, and the Williff Foundation.

Tania Rogers, news anchor for WPTV-TV News Channel 5, was the mistress of ceremonies.

One of Cherfilus-McCormick’s opponents in her high-profile South Florida congressional race, former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness, who attended the event, says he also has supported and benefited from the Urban League.

Cherfilus-McCormick defeated Holness by five votes to emerge from the crowded field of Democratic aspirants who sought to succeed the late Rep. Hastings, then won the special general election over Republican Jason Mariner in January in the heavily Democratic district.

Holness had unsuccessfully sued to have the results overturned in the contentious Democratic primary that took weeks to resolve, alleging Cherfilus-McCormick was “ineligible to hold office.”

The primary election for the full two-year term is set for Aug. 22. Holness announced in March that he will challenge for the seat. Others again are expected to seek the seat.

Cherfilus-McCormick during her speech didn’t mention the upcoming primary, focusing instead on her achievements and the areas on which she plans to concentrate on Capitol Hill.