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Pettis Wins Latimer Diversity Award

Eugene PettisEugene Pettis of Ft. Lauderdale was awarded the Henry T. Latimer Inclusion Award at The Florida Bar’s 2018 Annual Convention.

The award was given to Pettis for his dedication toward pushing for advances in diversity and inclusion programs within the legal profession.

The Florida Bar’s diversity and inclusion efforts push to encourage participation and opportunities to all individuals within the legal profession, including those who are racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and those with disabilities.

“I am a believer that we see the best of humanity when we come together as one people; the human race,” said Pettis, who served as the first African-American president of The Florida Bar from 2013-2014. “There is still work to be done. We must be willing to open the doors of opportunity to all people without fearing the inclusion limits our opportunities. To be recognized for something I am truly passionate about is just an added bonus.”

Pettis left a legacy of leadership initiatives that continue at the Bar, including the Wm . Reece Smith Leadership Academy. Pettis currently serves on the University of Florida Foundation’s Board of Directors and on the Board of Trustees at the University of Florida’s Levin College of Law.