our mission

Rand Hoch founded the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council in 1988 and initially served as the organization's President until 1992. During that time, the Council was successful in having Palm Beach County extend protected status to gay men, lesbians and bisexuals in housing, public accommodation and county employment and in having the City of West Palm Beach extend basic domestic partnership benefits to City employees.

During those years, Rand served as Chairman Pro Tempore of the West Palm Beach Employment Practices Review Committee as a member of the Palm Beach County Ethics Advisory Committee and on the Boards of Directors of National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Florida Consumer Federation, the Florida (Gay) Task Force, the Atlantic Coast Democratic Club, and the Palm Beach/Martin Counties Chapter of the ACLU. He also served as Chair of the Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee and as an Executive Committee Member of Gay and Lesbian Democrats of America.

Rand has attended sixteen Florida Democratic Party state conventions and has been a member of the Florida delegation to the Democratic National Conventions four times. In 2012, Rand served on the Credentials Committee for the Democratic National Convention and in 2016, he represented the State of Florida on the Platform Committee for the Democratic National Convention.

In 1992 Rand became Florida's first openly LGBTQ+ judge when he was appointed Judge of Compensation Claims by Governor Lawton Chiles. During his judicial tenure, Rand served as President on Florida's Conference of Judges of Compensation Claims, as Vice President of the International Association of Lesbian and Gay Judges, as a member of the Volusia County Elections Advisory Board and as a member of the Editorial Boards of The Florida Bar News and The Florida Bar Journal.

When his term ended in 1996, Rand returned to his law and mediation practice in West Palm Beach. Since then Rand has served on the Board of Directors of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, COMPASS. (Palm Beach County's LGBTQ+ community center), the ACLU of Florida, the Florida Academy of Professional Mediators, and PBCHRC Charitable Foundation (as President). He has also served on the Board of Trustees of Florida Stage (as Vice Chair and Secretary) and on the National Board of Accredited Mediators of the American Mediation Association. Additionally, Rand has served as Chair of the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Community Advisory Committee, a member of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council's Business Committee for Culture and a member of City of West Palm Beach Art in Public Places Commission. Rand is also a Charter Member of Equal Opportunities Law Section of The Florida Bar and has served as the Section’s Legislative Committee Chair.

In 2022, Rand resumed his service on the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council and was again elected president in 2006, a position he still holds. During his tenure on the board, the Council was successful in having numerous local public employers extend protected status to LGBTQ+ individuals and offer domestic partnership benefits to their employees; having Palm Beach County and the Cities of Lake Worth Beach and West Palm Beach establish domestic partnership registries; having the School District of Palm Beach County protect students and employees from harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression; and having the County and numerous municipalities ban the practice of conversion therapy for minors by licensed professionals. (Unfortunately, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit struck down all conversion therapy bans in Alabama, Florida and Georgia.)

In recognition of his efforts, Hoch has been awarded with the Palm Beach State College Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award, the Harvey Milk Foundation’s Inaugural Diversity Honors Award, the Key to the City of West Palm Beach, the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County’s Community Service Award; the Compass Public Service Award; the ACLU of Palm Beach and Martin Counties’ Harriette S. Glasner Freedom Award; and the Orlando Metropolitan Business Association Spectrum Lifetime Achievement Award. Hoch also served (twice) as a Grand Marshal of the Palm Beach County Pride Parade.

Rand is a longtime denizen of downtown West Palm Beach.

Meredith Ockman is a native Floridian, born on Miami Beach. She is a twin who was inspired by the plight of the people in her family to speaking for people who couldn’t speak for themselves. She has been involved with several non-profits including; the March of Dimes, Jewish Federation of Greater Miami, Leukemia Society, American Cancer Society, Jewish Community Center and American Heart Association. She attended FIU, followed by a move for 2 years to New Jersey. Eventually she came home to West Palm Beach in 1999 and began volunteering for Compass, The LGBTQ Community Center of the Palm Beaches. There she assisted in providing safe sex education and HIV/STI prevention to the community. Later, she was hired as an employee, working as the Volunteer Coordinator and Fiscal Assistant.

Meredith began working with the Pro-Choice Coalition of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast in 2003, helping to organize the largest delegation of participants from South Florida in the March for Women’s lives. She has provided clinic defense for the past 12 years and continues her commitment by training others and volunteering to escort women at Presidential Women’s Center in West Palm Beach. She worked in administration for the lead agency for Child Welfare Services in Palm Beach County, and supports National Council for Jewish Women, Planned Parenthood, The Women’s Health Foundation of South Florida and The Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County. She was the 2011 Feminist Leadership Award recipient from the Veteran Feminist’s of America.

Meredith L. Ockman is the immediate past President of Palm Beach County NOW, is a past Legislative Director for Florida NOW and was one of the leaders to merge the North and South Palm Beach County chapters of NOW in 2009. Meredith was on the steering committee for the Butterfly House, the first and only rape crisis and treatment center in Palm Beach County. She is currently serving our community as Vice President of Florida NOW, Vice President of Florida National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC), President of South Florida Women’s Health Foundation of South Florida, Volunteer with the Inner Truth Project in St. Lucie County, and Vice President at SoHo Dogs. Most recently, Meredith ran a successful campaign to become the Southeast Regional Director of NOW. As a national board member, she oversees 7 states of NOW chapters.

Janiece Davis works to better the lives of residents who live, work, and play in Palm Beach County through the implementation of policy, systems, and environmental change related to tobacco use. She works to build private-public partnerships and fosters youth involvement in the policy process. Her efforts within the community have resulted in many successes, including collaborating with the School District of Palm Beach County to remove school districts from preemption within the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act and implementing the first comprehensive tobacco-free schools policy in Florida.

Her work with mentoring youth resulted in HB 439 during the 2013 Florida Legislative Session, and collaborated with neighboring South Florida counties to develop a local campaign called Not a Replacement, which was chosen by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids as their official national campaign for Kick Butts Day 2015. She is the recipient of several awards and honors, and is a member of the Beta Upsilon Chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health and Leadership Florida Connect Class IX. Ms. Davis received both her Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Science Degrees from the University of Florida.

Rae Franks has practiced law in West Palm Beach since 1985. She received her B.F.A. in 1971 from Tulane University (along with classmate Newt Gingrich). After a career in graphic arts and free-lance journalism, she decided on a second career in law and enrolled in Stetson University College of Law (which she attended with PBCHRC Founder Rand Hoch), from which she graduated in 1984.

Having been brought up in Cuba, Rae has a personal interest in serving the Hispanic community and in protecting the rights of all minorities. She is a founding member of the Palm Beach County Hispanic Bar Association and served on its Board of Directors for many years. Rae has also been a strong supporter of feminist issues and served as Treasurer of the both West Palm Beach Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the Women's Political Caucus in Palm Beach County.

As a board member of the Human Rights Council, Rae became actively involved with the drafting of the City of West Palm Beach's Human Rights Ordinance, and its subsequent winning battle in the court and in the referendum challenge. For her work, in 1995 Rae was awarded the Legislative Advocacy Award by the Palm Beach County Legal Aid Society, along with former PBCHRC Vice President Joe Fields.

Rae is currently Secretary of the Palm Brach County Human Rights Council and the PBCHRC Charitable Foundation. She has also served as Chair of the Palm Beach County Office of Equal Opportunity/Fair Housing Board, and as member of the City of West Palm Beach Zoning Appeals Board.

Rhonda Williams is a writer, blogger, engineer, entrepreneur, software developer, and life coach. Born and raised in a small town in southern Virginia, Ms. Williams went on to live in a bigger world as an information technology innovator and transgender activist. Rhonda attended Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in Engineering.

In 1983, she founded a software company that brought to market the first PC-based personnel system and the first consumer tax preparation software package. Today she spends much of her time consulting with nonprofits and speaking on gender issues relating to transgender acceptance. Her blog, Rhonda’s Escape, has nearly 3 million total views and offers daily posts that encourage others to escape whatever is keeping them from living a full life. www.rhondasescape.com.

Nicholas Coppola is a retired electrical contractor with more than 40 years experience in the construction industry. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services Labor Studies from The State University of New York (SUNY) and a degree in Building Construction Management from New York University (NYU). Nicholas served as Chair of the Delray Beach Code Enforcement Board and Secretary for Impact 100 Men PBC, as well as Chair and Treasurer of Compass LGBTQ+ Community Center.

He also serves as Vice President and Treasurer for the Sherwood Park Civic Association, the community he and his husband David call home. Prior to moving to Florida, they lived in New York, where Nicholas served on the Board of Directors of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and served as Chair of the organization’s Governance Committee. He has been recognized throughout his career, including receiving the NAACP Dr. Hazel Dukes Leadership Award for his HIV outreach and advocacy in the Black and Latino communities.

Michael Duquette Fowler is Vice President, Information Management of NextEra Energy Resources. He has responsibility for information technology and support for de-regulated affiliates and Power Generation including Nuclear fleets. He joined NextEra Energy Resources in November 2010. Prior to joining NextEra Energy, Mr. Fowler was IT VP, Global Commodities Group at Constellation Energy.

Mr. Fowler was selected for one of the top 40 Innovative IT People to Watch Under the Age of 40 by ComputerWorld Magazine. Mr. Fowler was also awarded Information Week Top Innovator Award and the Microsoft Pinnacle Award for Customer Service. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with his concentrations in Computer Information Systems from John Hopkins University.

Mr. Fowler currently sits on the Board for the Technology Advisory Committee for the Palm Beach County School Board.

Growing up in America as a Cuban immigrant, G. Joseph Garcia developed a yearning to explore the world at an early age. This passion eventually drove him to pursue a dual degree in marketing (B.S.) and multinational business operations (B.A.) from Florida State University that would allow him to build the global career of his dreams. It wasn’t until he had the opportunity to participate in the Sydney 2002 Gay Games VI -- as the only Cuban athlete -- that he realized his true calling: integrating education and advocacy for human equality into his travel and tourism career.

In his new role as chair of the foundation of PBCHRC, he will oversee the Daniel S. Hall Social Justice Awards program, which grants annual college scholarships to college-bound high school seniors in recognition of their advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. He will work closely with PBCHRC board member Jasmin Lewis, a teacher at Palm Beach Gardens High School who heads the foundation’s Social Justice Awards Committee.

His 15 years of progressive experience in the luxury hospitality, cruise line and travel industries has cultivated a colorful portfolio that includes some of the world’s most recognizable brands. Among them are The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Royal Caribbean International and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Today, Joseph serves on several membership organizations including the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, Compass Community Center, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Human Rights Campaign, South Florida chapter Steering Committee.

Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends in South Florida – including his great nephews, niece and goddaughter. When it’s hockey or football season, you will see him cheering for the Florida Panthers and FSU Seminoles (face paint, and all). As a board member of PBCHRC, Joseph looks forward to continuously learning and growing from those who have paved the way for his equality.

A Florida native, Chauncey Graham was born in Saint Lucie County and raised in Palm Beach County. He is a graduate of the Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts (Music Performance) and Florida Atlantic University where he studied history and political science.

He currently serves as an outreach director for our local agricultural community, connecting Palm Beach County's diverse population to its agricultural history and importance. Prior to working with our local farmers and agricultural professionals, Chauncey dedicated his professional life to public service. He began his career in state government as a staffer in the Florida House of Representatives working on a wide range of legislative research and policy initiatives. Most recently he served as Chief Legislative Aide to former Senator Jeff Clemens, rounding out more than a decade in the Florida Legislature, employed in various capacities in both the House and Senate.

Chauncey serves as the Board's representative to the Palm Beach Sheriff's Office LGBT Liaison Unit. He is also a member of the PBCHRC Charitable Foundation. In addition to his involvement in LGBT advocacy, Chauncey also volunteers for Take Stock in Children as a program mentor and chairs the Civic Engagement and Advocacy Committee of the Urban League of Palm Beach County's Young Professionals Network. He was a 2018 Fellow of New Leaders Council Palm Beach, a graduate of Leadership Central Palm Beach in 2019, and has been selected for Leadership Florida's Connect Class 11 for 2020-2021.

Bradley Jackson is a native of Palm Beach County, born in Wellington, FL and has lived in the County all of his life outside of College. After graduating from Wellington High School he attended Florida State University from 2018-2012, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management from the School of Business. He currently works as the Director of Marketing and Business Development for Engenuity Group, Inc., a West Palm Beach based Civil Engineering, and Land Surveying Firm. His responsibilities include preparing RFP/RFQ responses for Public Sector work, creating marketing materials for the company, managing the website and newsletter, and serving a representative to his company in the community.

His involvement in organizations like the Palm Beach County League of Cities has allowed him to cultivate many relationships with leaders in the County helping to shape infrastructure and development as well as policy initiatives in local municipalities including the protection of Home Rule. Prior to joining the PBCHRC Board of Directors, he served on the organizations Voters Alliance Board, using his knowledge and relationships with local elected officials to assist in making endorsement decisions on those running for office that would best support protections and advancements for the LGBTQ+ Community.

He has also served as the Programs Chair, President, and Chapter Advisor to the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) South Florida Chapter, a Board Member for the City of Boynton Beach Historical Resources Preservation Board, Vice President and Board Member for AEC Trendsetter’s of Florida, Secretary and Legislative Affairs Chair for the Palm Beach County LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus (Formerly Rusty Gordon), Compass LGBTQ Community Center Stonewall Ball Host Committee Member, and Urban Land Institute (ULI) Southeast Florida Chapter Young Leaders Steering Committee Member.

He is an Alumni of Leadership Palm Beach County, Class of 2022 and has stayed active in the non-profit as the Co-Chair of their Focus program as well as on the Holiday Breakfast and Forward Committees. He also graduated from the South Florida Fairgrounds Young Professionals ‘Beyond the Fair’ program in 2021 and serves on the YP, Sponsorships, Kid’s Mile, and Hospitality Committees. In his spare time he also volunteers to advance the engineering profession, participating in events like MATHCOUNTS, Engineer It!, the Gold Tournament, and Bowl-a-Thon to raise money for scholarships and local charities.

Jasmin Lewis, a Mississippi native, moved to Palm Beach, Florida in 2014. She is currently employed as a secondary English teacher in the School District of Palm Beach County. In conjunction with teaching, she also serves as a co-sponsor for the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA). Jasmin was selected and graduated from the High Impact Teacher Corps in 2019, one of few teachers across the State.

Jasmin graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S) degree in Elementary Education with a Concentration in English and Science. Furthering her education, Jasmin obtained her master’s degree in Elementary Education (M.Ed.) with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. She went on to get her Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on curriculum and instruction at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. Jasmin is currently in the process of obtaining her doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Educational Leadership and Innovation.

Jasmin is passionate about progressive policy change and is committed to building inclusive networks were women and minorities are present at the table. She believes that this can be accomplished through the development of authentic relationships with those in varying intersectionalities.

Jasmin is compelled to continue her work to protect the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our society – our youth. Her passion for education and serving underprivileged youth in the community truly fuels her work. It is her goal to bridge communities together in solidarity to provide a blanket of protection for our future generations. Jasmin is committed to her role in various organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign where she serves as the Community Engagement Co-Chair for the South Florida Steering Committee. Jasmin also serves on the 2020 Executive Board for New Leaders Council-Palm Beach as one of the Recruitment chairs. She is a member of the Rusty Gordon LGBTA Democratic Caucus of Palm Beach as well as a member of the Florida LGBTQA Democratic Caucus.

Ty Penserga is the first Asian American and openly gay person to be elected Mayor of the City of Boynton Beach. Prior to being elected Mayor in 2022, he was twice elected as City Commissioner, and then later served as Vice Mayor. The son of an immigrant, a graduate of local public schools, and a public-school teacher himself, Mayor Penserga strongly believes that professional governance, fiscal responsibility, and community trust are the foundations of a strong and prosperous city.

Mayor Penserga championed the construction of workforce and affordable housing, business expansions and relocations into the city, invested into and partnered with local schools, modernized public safety services, led the revival of the historic MLK corridor, made significant infrastructure investments, ignited the development of the downtown corridor, implemented a city-wide beautification and cleanliness program, increased tax exemptions for low income seniors, invested in programs that support seniors and youths, supported historic preservation, and protected the environment by opening new parks and enacting policies like the Climate Action Plan and investments into the Quantum Eco Preserve.

He has also served as the Chair of the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, the South-Central Regional Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Board, and the Boynton Beach General Employees’ Pension Board. He has also served on the Intergovernmental Forum and the Quantum Park District Board. Mayor Penserga graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Florida Atlantic University with a Master’s degree in Biology, and a graduate of the Senior Executives in State and Local Government from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He was also selected for the inaugural class of Bloomberg-Harvard Program for New Mayors. In his spare time, he enjoys kayaking, discovering new restaurants, theater, and volunteering with non-profit organizations like Inner City Youth Golfers, Inc. and Feeding South Florida.