TAMPA, Fla. (April 19, 2019) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts (“Tampa Bay BCA”), (“TBBCA”) is pleased to announce that Raquel Ramirez Jefferson, attorney for Phelps Dunbar, has been elected to the non-profit’s board of directors. Her initial three-year term begins as TBBCA celebrates its milestone 30th anniversary year as a national Business Committee for the Arts. Ms. Jefferson joins a distinguished group of individual and business leaders who believe businesses play a crucial role in fostering and ensuring the development and growth of the arts. Phelps Dunbar is a longtime valued TBBCA pARTner.

With Phelps Dunbar, Ms. Jefferson practices in the areas of labor and employment as defense counsel for corporate employers and complex commercial litigation, representing corporate clients in a variety of employment and other complex litigation matters in federal and state courts in Florida and in arbitration proceedings nationwide. Her practice includes litigation involving employment discrimination and retaliation laws, ADA compliance, professional negligence and breach of contract claims involving a wide range of corporate disputes, including claims regarding franchise agreements, corporate governance agreements, employment contracts and restrictive covenants.

Ms. Jefferson is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2012, Certificate of Concentration in Advocacy, and was Research Editor, Stetson Law Review, and Phi Delta Phi. She earned her B.A. from Barry University. She has been admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida. She is a member of The Florida Bar, Hillsborough County Bar Association, Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, The Defense Research Institute. She was selected to Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters).

ABOUT TBBCA
For over 30 years, Tampa Bay BCA has been fulfilling its mission to unite businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community. The very first affiliate in Florida of the National Business Committees for the Arts, TBBCA is part of the private sector network and national pARTnership Movement of Americans for the Arts. TBBCA pARTners hold the conviction that businesses coming together promoting and supporting our community’s artistic and cultural and creative industries give Tampa Bay better opportunity for developing into a thriving regional economy with enhanced quality of life. TBBCA pARTnerships make possible valuable programs that create a positive impact, including Cultural Encounters, Chalk Walks, and The Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships. For more information on TBBCA, or to join the pARTnership movement, contact Executive Director susanaweymouth@tbbca.org or 813-221-2787 www.tbbca.org.