Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

Dr. Clara Walters is a pioneering educator recognized for transforming classrooms into safe, nurturing learning environments and breaking barriers for women and African Americans in Orange County Public Schools (OCPS). Her distinguished career began in 1966 as an English teacher in Seminole County. In August 1967, she joined Orange County Public Schools as one of only two teachers selected to integrate the faculty of Oak Ridge High School, marking the beginning of her historic impact on education in Central Florida.

After seven years teaching English, Dr. Walters advanced into school administration, serving as assistant principal at Wymore Career Education Center, Oak Ridge High School, and West Orange High School over a five‑year period. During this time, she became the first African American appointed Assistant Principal for Instruction (API) at an OCPS high school—an important milestone in district history.

In 1979, Dr. Walters was named principal of Carver Junior High School, and in 1981, she became principal of Jones High School, serving until 1990. These appointments established her as the first African American female principal of a secondary school in Orange County. From 1979 to 1987, she was also the only female secondary school principal in the entire district. Her leadership earned recognition at the local, state, and national levels.

Dr. Walters continued her trailblazing journey in 1990 when she became a Senior Director of Secondary Education, becoming one of the first two women—and the first African American—to hold that position within OCPS. Her legacy opened pathways for the many women who now serve as middle and high school principals throughout the district.

Since retiring in 2000, Dr. Walters has remained an influential voice in educational leadership. As founder and CEO of Educational & Leadership Training, Inc., she has provided leadership development for schools, youth organizations, and parents. Numerous OCPS principals credit her with helping strengthen school culture, climate, and academic performance.

Her leadership and service extend into the broader community as well. She serves as the vice chair of the board of directors for Hair in Motion of New York Beauty Academy, is a founding board member of Central Florida Leadership Academy, and is an active member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, where she has chaired the annual Celebrating the Gift of Teaching Awards for 17 years. Dr. Walters is also a member of the Christian Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Walters’ life reflects her deep Christian faith, guided by the belief that “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” She holds a B.S. in English, M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. At Shiloh Baptist Church of Orlando, she serves through multiple ministries, including the Trustee Board, Board of Directors, Deaconess Board, Culinary Ministry, Music Ministry, and Women’s Ministries.

Her most recent accomplishment is the publication of her book, Leadership That Restores Hope in Schools in the African American Community, which continues her mission of inspiring educators and strengthening schools. Throughout her career, Dr. Clara Walters has been honored with numerous awards for her exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to the advancement of education.

Reginald B. McGill serves as the Constituent Services Director for the City of Orlando, working directly within the Office of the Mayor to support residents, address community needs, and strengthen local government engagement. A proud alumnus of William R. Boone High School, McGill earned his Associate of Arts degree from Valencia College and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida. He has also completed graduate‑level coursework in the M.S. program at Rollins College and the M.B.A. program at Nova Southeastern University, further strengthening his foundation in public administration and leadership.

Widely known as “Reggie” among family and friends, McGill is deeply involved in civic and professional organizations throughout Central Florida and beyond. His extensive community service includes board memberships with the American Cancer Society, Seniors First, Inc., Aspire Health Partners, NPHC of Metro Orlando, Inc., Preserve the Eatonville Community (P.E.C.), and the 100 Black Men of Greater Orlando. He also serves as the Mayor’s Representative to the Florida A&M University College of Law Board of Visitors and is a member of the Bethune‑Cookman University Board of Visitors, where he is also a Life Member of the university’s National Alumni Association.

McGill has held several leadership roles in higher education and community advocacy, including Past Chairman of the Black Advisory Committee, Past President of the Valencia College Alumni Association, and active participant in the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee. A graduate of Leadership Florida, Leadership Central Florida, Leadership Brevard, and Leadership Orlando, he is recognized for his longstanding commitment to leadership development and community empowerment.

For more than 40 years, McGill has been a Life Member (#4636) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he has served as Southern Regional Chairman for the Public Policy and Political Engagement Committees. He has also contributed to national political processes as staff or delegate at the past seven Democratic National Conventions.

A devoted member of St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Orlando, McGill plays an active role in ministry and governance. His service includes positions as a Pastor’s Steward on the Board of Stewards, President of the Lay Organization, Past President of the Progressive Ushers, and contributor to the Marriage Couples Ministry and Strategic Planning Committee. At the A.M.E. Church’s national level, he holds multiple leadership roles, including service on the Executive Committee, Nominating Committee, Lay Commission, Social Action Commission, Statistics and Finance Commission, and as Chairman of the Connectional Lay Organization Social Action Committee.

Across his four decades of professional experience, McGill has built a successful career in both the financial and governmental sectors. His résumé includes leadership roles such as Manager of First Federal of Orlando’s West Colonial Branch, Analyst for Barnett Bank of Central Florida, Financial Planner for MONY Companies, Special Assistant and Office Manager for Congressman Jim Bacchus, Central Florida Director for Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Director of Government and Community Affairs for Greenberg Traurig, P.A., and Human Relations Director for the City of Orlando.

The only son of the late Roseborough and Doris M. L. McGill, Reggie has been married for 38 years to Deborah L. M. McGill, and together they are the proud parents of their daughter, Danielle Lauren McGill. His lifelong commitment to community service has positively impacted countless individuals across Central Florida. Among his many accomplishments, McGill considers his greatest contribution to be the opportunity to serve as an agent of change, creating access and support for those who might not otherwise receive it.

His personal motto reflects his service‑centered life:
“To receive a blessing, you must be a blessing to others.”

Dr. Olivia Allen Chaney is a highly respected pediatrician who has dedicated more than 40 years of medical service to the Central Florida community. A native Floridian and the daughter of the late Samuel Allen and Susie Bruton Allen, Dr. Chaney is a proud 1966 graduate of Jones High School in Orlando. She continued her academic journey at Howard University, graduating with honors in 1970, and later earned her medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency at Howard and went on to become board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

In 1978, Dr. Chaney returned home to Orlando and made history as the first African American pediatrician to practice in the Central Florida region. For 28 years, she provided compassionate, personalized pediatric care, earning the trust and admiration of families throughout the area. In 2006, she joined the Community Health Centers of Florida in Apopka as a senior pediatrician, where she continued her mission of improving children’s health for 13 more years until her retirement in 2019.

Over her remarkable 41-year career, Dr. Chaney demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting both underserved and privileged families across Central Florida. Her excellence in medicine has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Drum Major of Excellence Award in Medicine, the Florida Hospital Award for outstanding medical service to the Orlando community, and the African American Women’s History Month Community Star Award for her leadership and impact in healthcare.

Even in retirement, Dr. Chaney remains active and engaged in the Orlando community. She is a dedicated member of Shiloh Baptist Church, the Orlando Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Howard University Medical Alumni Association, and the National Medical Association. She is also an alumni member of the Orlando Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Dr. Chaney is the proud mother of two accomplished adult children: Joi, a legal, policy, and political consultant in Washington, D.C., and Wilbur, a Corporate Marketing Officer at The Wendy’s Company in Columbus, Ohio. Her greatest joy today is her grandson, Wilbur Stratton Chaney III, whom she affectionately calls her “#1 patient‑in‑love” and now devotes her full attention to.

Kran Riley is a dedicated family man and staple in Central Florida who has been advocating for human rights for over 55 years. Inspired by hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech on the lawn at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, Kran has championed for our community’s most vulnerable citizens ever since. That same year, in 1963, he became a memKran Riley is a respected Central Florida community leader, devoted family man, and lifelong advocate for human rights, with more than 55 years of service to some of the region’s most vulnerable citizens. His passion for justice was ignited in 1963 when he stood on the National Mall and heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech firsthand—an experience that shaped the mission he continues today.

That same year, Riley became a proud member of the NAACP, later serving as President of the Orange County Branch from 2010–2016. His leadership strengthened local civil rights efforts and expanded advocacy programs designed to uplift underserved communities.

As the Manager of Wayne Densch Charities, Riley oversees funding for nonprofit organizations throughout Central Florida that address critical community needs, from youth development to health services. His leadership is guided by a commitment to unity, bridge‑building, and collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that people from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to thrive.

Riley has served in influential leadership roles across numerous boards and community organizations, including:

• Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church
• 100 Black Men of Orlando
• The Citizen Commission for Children
• The Community Action Board
• YMCA of Central Florida Metro Board Executive Committee
• Heart of Florida United Way
• Boy Scouts of America
• Darrell Armstrong Foundation
• The Epilepsy Association of Central Florida
• Vice President, Florida State Conference of the NAACP

Through each of these roles, Kran Riley has remained a steadfast voice for equality, compassion, and community empowerment—living out his belief that progress comes when people join together for the common good.ber of the NAACP and later served as the President of the Orange County branch from 2010–2016.

Dr. Mills, a native of Detroit, Michigan, is a distinguished faith leader and community advocate with an extensive academic background. He holds undergraduate degrees in Business Management and Religious Education, Master’s degrees in Organizational Management and Sacred Theology, and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology, reflecting his deep commitment to leadership and theological scholarship.

With more than 35 years of ministry experience, Dr. Mills has faithfully served as the pastor of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando, Florida since 1988. Under his visionary leadership, Mt. Sinai has experienced remarkable growth and expansion. The church has added a comprehensive development center, gymnasium, school, and robust outreach ministries both locally and abroad—strengthening its role as a spiritual and community anchor in Central Florida.

Dr. Mills is also a respected civic leader, actively involved in community affairs across the region. His most recent appointment is to the OUC Board of Commissioners, where he contributes to strategic oversight and community-focused initiatives. Throughout his career, he has held numerous influential leadership positions, including CEO of the Mills Institute for Leadership and Learning, President of the African American Council of Christian Clergy (four years), Vice President of the SCLC Greater Orlando Chapter, and Chairman of the Private Industry Council of Greater Orlando, among many others.

In addition to his pastoral and community leadership, Dr. Mills built an impressive 23-year career at Lockheed Martin Corporation, ultimately serving as Corporate Vice President of Human Resources and Business Conduct for Corporate Operations before retiring in 2007. His corporate experience further underscores his strengths in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and ethical governance.

Dr. Mills is also an accomplished author. His published works include The Recovery of God’s Purpose for the 21st Century Church, as well as contributions to “Marriage Matters: It’s God’s Will” and two professional textbooks. His achievements have earned him recognition in Who’s Who in Black America and the Manchester Who’s Who Registry of Executives and Professionals.

Through his ministry, professional accomplishments, and community service, Dr. Mills continues to influence lives, inspire faith, and strengthen the Orlando community.