Tag Archives: Jeff Holness

*UPDATED* Broward School Board Member Claims To Be Graduate Of Dillard High School, But Published Reports And GoFundMe Account Show Ties To A Jamaican High School

1 Reply

*UPDATE* Shortly after the publication of our original story, Jeff Holness responded to our request for comment. Dr. Holness insisted he was indeed a graduate of Dillard High School 1989. He explained the sponsorship and fundraising for Manchester High School was done on at the request of lifelong school friends in Jamaica.

Holness said he attended Manchester until his family emigrated to the United States in the late 1980s. Like many new foreign students, Holness took extra time to catch up with the coursework of his American counterparts. Instead of graduating in 1988, Holness graduated in 1989.

Aware that some were questioning his academic career, Holness requested his official school transcript. He promised to share it with REDBROWARD when received. True to his word, Holness shared photographs of his transcript when he received it late last week.

The transcript shows Jeff Holness is a graduate of Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale.

Also aware that some have raised questions of his postgraduate degrees, Holness shared photographs of his college degrees.

In addition to updating the story, REDBROWARD replaced a graphic which may have mocked Dr. Holness. We regret any embarrassment or confusion caused by our original story. We offer this correction.

—-Editor

courtesy Jeff Holness
courtesy Jeff Holness
courtesy Jeff Holnes
courtesy Jeff Holness

Our original post appears below:

Broward School Board Member Jeff Holness claims to be a graduate of Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale. Holness, the newly-elected representative of District 5, makes the claim on his official Broward School District biography. He also made the claim on his 2022 campaign literature. The issue of Holness’ true alma mater was first raised by the Westside Gazette newspaper.

Now, REDBROWARD uncovered published reports and even a GoFundMe page revealing Holness is an alumnus of a Jamaican high school.

In September 2018, the official alumni website of Manchester High School in Jamaica gave details on the thirtieth reunion of the Class of 1988. The website thanked members of the Class of 88 who sponsored the reunion. Jeptha L. Holness is named as a “generous donor” to Manchester High.

Jeff Holness’ legal name is Jeptha Lotfield Holness.

In August 2017, Jeptha Holness createda GoFundMe page benefiting Manchester High School. Holness wrote, “We the MHS Class of 1988, welcome your supporting contributions, hand in hand with us, as we help the lights of current students to shine.”

In March 2012, Jeff Holness posted a photograph of friends on Facebook. Holness said enjoyed spending time with the male in photo. Holness described the man as “my good friend from high school days.”

According to the man’s Facebook account, he is a graduate of Manchester High School in Jamaica.

A review of Dillard High School yearbooks from 1987-1989 failed to show Holness as a student at the predominantly African-American school.

Why would Jeff Holness claim to be a graduate of Dillard High School if he really graduated from a Jamaican high school?

We asked Jeff Holness to explain what is going on.

Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton Refuses To Answer Questions About Business Ties To “Happy Feet” Political Consulting Firm

6 Replies

Tamarac Commissioner Marlon Bolton refuses to answer questions regarding his close ties to a local political consulting firm. Happy Feet Advertising, LLC has worked for numerous Broward politicians and committees, records show. The Happy Feet Advertising website states the company, “is a full-service marketing and public relations company specializing in political campaigns, elected official branding, community relations, issue advocacy and grassroots organizing. We offer clients the resources, direction and information they need to become successful, whether the objective is winning campaigns, earning press coverage or affecting public policy.”

According to State corporate records, Happy Feet Advertising LLC is owned by Trace N. Robinson. While the business paperwork shows a Margate address, the mailing address for Happy Feet Advertising is listed as P.O. Box 451711 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33345.

State records also show businesses owned by Marlon Bolton use the same post office box.

P.O. BOX 451711

Florida business records show the post office box address used by Happy Feet Advertising has been used by Marlon Bolton since at least 2014. These businesses include Tyson Bolton and Associates, Forecast Holdings, LLC, Prophet Fire, and Win Without War. These same records show Marlon Bolton and Trace Robinson are business partners.

Records list Marlon Bolton and Trace Robinson as owners of The Driven Project, Praise Experience Worldwide Outreach Church, and South Florida Theological Seminary, Inc. The companies also use the same post office box.

Last year, Trace Robinson created the Broward Vision PAC political committee. The address for the PAC is the same post office box used by Bolton.

State of Florida campaign records show Broward Vision PAC paid $1,400 to Exy Consultants, a corporation created under the Happy Feet Advertising LLC name by Robinson. Exy Consultants used the same P.O. Box 451711 address as Marlon Bolton.

According to Tamarac campaign reports, Commissioner Marlon Bolton provided Happy Feet Advertising with its biggest payday. Reports show Bolton paid nearly $14,000 to Happy Feet Advertising during the 2020 election cycle.

BOLTON REFUSES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

REDBROWARD asked Marlon Bolton about his ties to Happy Feet, Trace Robinson and The Tamarac Post.

We asked Bolton if he had any financial interest in Happy Feet. We asked Bolton if he played any role in political campaign which hired Happy Feet.

Marlon Bolton refused to issue any comment or denial on this facts.

In a text message, Bolton wrote, “Oh! Go ahead write away…Sir, whatever you want to write, you can…”

Tamarac voters deserve real answers, no?

REDBROWARD A