About Us

HCDBC Mission

The HCDBC mission is to ensure the engagement of African Americans through economic, social, and political awareness. We look to support legislative policy and democratic candidates that reflect our views while holding elected officials accountable to the everyday issues of our communities. As a collective body, HCDBC will ensure county-wide civic engagement while bringing awareness and resolution to the disparities our communities unjustly face.

Our Leadership

Jordan Pride, President

Jordan Allie Pride is a Florida native, originally from Daytona Beach, Fl. She’s a 2016 graduate of the University of South Florida obtaining a bachelor’s of Political Science from the university. Pride has been involved with campaigns and election since before she could vote herself however understanding, early on, the deep necessity of African Americans being civically engaged to institute any real change. Out of 18, Jordan has been a part of campaigns ranging from local to national offices in direct and coordinated capacities. In 2017 she was hired as a regional Community Engagement Specialist for the Florida Democratic Party where her field specialty ended in a solid win for Rick Kriseman for Mayor of St. Petersburg and Margaret Good for State House in Sarasota. In 2018, Jordan was hired as the statewide Data Director for non-profit NextGen America, which was the largest youth program the state of Florida had ever seen, mobilizing students across 40 different college campuses. Of the 13 program states, Pride was one of three minorities and the only African American woman hired on the national data team. Most recently in 2019, Jordan became co-owner of veteran political consulting firm Parsons Wilson, their unprecedented work and historic wins dating back to 1981. Under new ownership, PW consulting is one of very few minority owned political consulting businesses in the state. In this past federal election cycle, the firm took on 7 races ranging from city council to the state legislature and successfully elected 4 to office. One of which was historic in maintaining the only “minority” seat held on the Pinellas County school board by electing Board Member Caprice Edmond.

Jordan’s local community engagement included serving as Regional Director for Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee, member of the Tampa Metropolitan Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated where she serves as co-chair of the social action committee. She is also involved with Hillsborough Young Black Professionals, and a proud five-year member of Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus. In 2019, Pride was elected as the youngest Black Caucus chapter president in the state of Florida of 28 chapters, being sworn in at only 24 years of age. Jordan’s passion for electing good, qualified, and just candidates runs deep especially when it comes to mobilizing minority communities that are historically left out of the conversation.

Bryce Bowden, Vice-President

Bryce was born in North Carolina and has lived in numerous locations due to both military and employment opportunities. He attended NC A&T, Univ of MD, Northeastern, and Villanova and received his B. A. in Business Administration. He has an extensive history of professional and personal accomplishments. Bryce has a strong devotion to family, community, and helping others. He’s been a volunteer in the military, the community, and business organizations.

Bryce founded several neighborhood associations to persuade municipal officials to improve services within his community. Bryce worked with the Evanston Township High school in the rewriting in the school’s curriculum to include vocational and information technology studies.

He was a precinct organizer for US Senator Richard Durbin for two terms. A precinct organizer for President Obama for his election to Illinois State legislature and for President of the United States. Additionally, he has worked on campaigns for the school board, and congress.

Since settling in the Tampa Bay area he has been involved with the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee(HCDEC) in many capacities, as well as serving as a Campaign Manager for Tampa City Council elections.

Rhonda Billups, 2nd Vice President

Hi, I’m Rhonda Billups, I’m an Operations Program Manager at Microsoft and hold an MBA from American InterContinental University- Atlanta, as well as several professional certifications. Besides a love of traveling and learning about new cultures, I’m passionate about community and civic engagement. I’ve volunteered for Valley of Sun United Way, Urban League Young Professionals and have held board member positions for North Atlanta High School Advisory Board, as well as served as Advisory Board Coordinator and Strategic Planning Chair for Passion for Life, Inc a non-profit organization focused on at-risk youth and career achievement. Most recently, I’ve served as Finance Committee Chair and Interim Treasurer for the Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus (HCDBC) and currently 2nd Vice President.

I’m looking forward to connecting with the Tampa community and expanding the presence of the HCDBC.

Dr. Lauren N. Huff, Secretary

Lauren was born in Atlanta, GA. She earned her doctorate degree in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University.

Lauren is the Founder and President of the 501 (c) (3) Non-profit, Daughters Need A Father (DNAF), INC. DNAF is an advocacy organization that provides support and resources to girls growing up in father-absent homes.

Lauren serves on the Hillsborough County Democratic Executive Committee. She is also a member of the Hillsborough County NAACP.

Given Lauren’s experience, she strives for the actualization of positive social change. She hopes her work with the HCDBC can help her see that change in the communities of Tampa.

Dr. Sonja Brookins, Treasurer

IDr. Sonja Brookins is an experienced leader, teacher/professor, speaker, and organizer. Driven by community engagement, health and people over politics agenda, she takes pride in supplying the best solution possible. As a Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor (Treasurer), her goals include increasing environmental justice, environmental stewardship and conservation/global climate change awareness within marginalized communities to decrease health/economic disparities. In addition to her primary job function, Dr. Sonja Brookins has been recognized by Alianz for her extraordinary commitment to environmental issues within the Hispanic community. Based on her interactions with first generational youth (CROP), she is the founder of DirtyGirlsAg Foundation Inc., a firm that help youth build leadership skills for tomorrow’s green careers. Dr. Brookins currently sit on several boards to include Palm Beach County Democratic Environmental Caucus, Healthcare Advisory, B.U.B.B.A., Hillsborough County Democratic Environmental Caucus (Community Engagement and Chair of the Standup Environmental Justice Committee with Environmental Caucus of Florida), Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus (Treasurer), and LEADS. She has taken part in panels on Saving Our Planet Starts with You, Una Noche Familiar De Diversion Ecologica, World Water Day with Representative Anna V. Eskamani, Racism as a Public Health Crisis, and AJP & Disaster Resiliency.

Resources

Democratic Black Caucus of Florida
Hillsborough County Voter Information
Florida Health Department – COVID-19