Melissa S. Myers isn’t new to working hard in changing lives in her community. For more than a decade, she has volunteered her time passionately to building relationships that enable change through neighborhood revitalization.
In the battle against injustice, Melissa has fought for what is right and pushed for action on behalf of those whose voices are not heard.
She is known for spearheading food drives, engaging in civic programs that address issues related to long-term social hardship, and bringing awareness to the inappropriate treatment of members of the City of Ocoee Fire Department.
As a business owner and President of Just Write Inc., a staffing firm, Melissa has twenty years’ experience in the HR and recruitment industry. She founded a non- profit organization that has become highly recognized in providing support and resources for career development, business growth, and achieving success.
In 2020, Melissa released the journal, Making Success a Reality, a spiritual guide for individuals seeking a more successful life.
Core Team
Vel has worked as an independent consultant for the last 16 years. As part of the Business Development Team at Just Write Consulting, she spends the predominance of her time building alliances that form healthy collaborative endeavors to strengthen communities.
Vel provides service to individuals in need of business training and coaching, and hands-on marketing, and public relations to build brands associated with the growth of nonprofit, corporate, community and faith-based structures. She served as Director of Constituent Services to the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives prior to moving to Orlando, in 2006. Referred to as a “Small Business Catalyst” in a Black Enterprise feature story, Vel is highly recognized as a seasoned professional with more than two decades of experience in politics and government operations, communications, and community advocacy. She is passionate about business growth and development and helping to make our communities stronger.
Vel received a bachelor’s degree from the Florida State University, resides in a beautiful hub of Central Florida, and we are pleased to have her on our team.
Gene Culver is an independent business consultant to start-ups and growing businesses around the country. With over 25 years of marketing and web design experience, he has been the project manager and web developer on over 1000 design and marketing campaigns.
Gene has huddled up with multiple entrepreneurs to help them vet their business ideas. He specializes in assisting entrepreneurs who want to take their business ideas from logo to launch. In some cases, during this process, he has helped them determine that some ideas are not ready for the market and require the business to pivot.
Gene has crisscrossed the country speaking to business owners in rooms filled with over 2,000 attendees. He has shared step-by-step ideas that motivate, educate and guide them on how to start and grow their companies.
His primary area of expertise is teaching them how to build their business online and offline while utilizing today’s technology. This would include Social Media Ads, Website Design, and e-commerce stores.
Monica is a career changer, after spending over 15 years years in corporate America, decided to pursue her dream of being a classroom teacher. Monica has spent the last 5 years as an Orange County Public School Title 1 Teacher, providing additional resources to economically disadvantaged students. In her current role as an 8th grade Intensive Reading teacher, she is currently working with her students to move them to proficiency in reading. Monica, also received an instructional practice score of “highly effective” for the past five years.
As a classroom teacher, Monica is known for building strong relationships with her students to ensure the best possible outcomes, she is involved in community back to school events, tutoring and a mentor not only to her students, but to other teachers.
Monica is a Florida Certified Teacher, has a Bachelor’s Degree in General Education from Columbia College and a Master’s Degree in Instruction and Curriculum from Concordia University, currently pursuing her Reading Endorsement from the Schultz Center.
Omar, graduated from Ocoee High School in 2019 and shortly enlisted to the United States Marine Corps. After serving in the Marine Corps for three years, he was medically retired in 2022. Since then, Omar has given back to the community to the youth as a high school football coach at Ocoee. His desire is to continue to give back to his community by providing career training and resources to veterans and the youth. He is proud to be of any assistance to those in need, no matter the situation.
Antuan Wright was born in Jesup, GA, and raised in Orlando, FL. Antuan’s desire is to show returning citizens that there is success after prison as he is example of just that. Throughout the 90s and 2000s, he was a recording artist that put out several albums through record labels, M2k Records, Overdose Ent., Madface Records and So What Records. In 2004, while part of a three-man hip hop trio “The Hurricane Mob”, he went on the Rock the Vote tour with David Banner, Fiend, and other celebrity artists sponsored by Sean “Diddy” Combs.
In 2013 Antuan was brought on to be the liaison for Apex Coture Magazine which started in Syracuse New York. A set of circumstances would have him take over as Editor in Chief of the publication. Nine years and counting building the platform and learning to exercise his newfound journalistic capabilities afforded him many great opportunities.
In December of 2021, Antuan was brought on as campaign manager joining the Melissa S. Myers Passion team on the campaign trail. This was a pivotal shift for him and his publication improving his skillsets in communications, data analysis, marketing, and grassroots organizing among many others.
2022 was a highly successful year for Antuan Wright as Editor In Chief after being nominated for two major awards. He won the 19th Annual Southern Entertainment Award for “Publication Of The Year” in May. He followed that up with an Indie Music Award (IMA22) for “Magazine Of The Year” in September. Both awards beat out all publications in the southeastern market.
As a returning citizen, Antuan is excited to share his wisdom and experiences with others while continuing to learn and build.
Mariam, Florida born and raised, graduated in honors from Ocoee High School in 2020 and am currently a Senior in college studying biology. Mariam knows that school is an amazing place for opportunities, but it can also be very challenging. Knowing this from her personal experience, she is glad to contribute as a mentor to our youth and talk them through the challenges and opportunities faced by aspiring young adults.
Lazano, graduated from Ocoee High School in 2019 and is a licensed Real Estate and Insurance Agent. Knowing firsthand the ups and downs of running a small business he is more than happy to guide young adults with the tools they need to be successful. Lazano states “It is not only important for me to share good thoughts and ideas, but to also provide others with the support they need to achieve their goals.”