About this Event
Cost $15 -- Breakfast provided by Fresh Fork
Wednesday, June 10
8 a.m.- 9 a.m.
Riverplace Tower Skyline Room
Betty Seabrook Burney is the founder and CEO of the “I’M A STAR” Foundation. A foundation committed to empowering and equipping youth to transform themselves into solution-oriented leaders in their schools and respective communities. Burney is most proud of the fact that students in the I’m A Star Foundation were invited by the White House (In 2024) to serve as keynote speakers to address the issues of youth mental health and youth suicide. While in Washington, DC, the students addressed White House staff, Health and Human Services staff and Congressional leaders.
The Foundation also won 1st place among America’s largest cities in the U. S. Conference of Mayor’s Childhood Obesity grant awards and was recognized by the NAACP for dedicated civic engagement. Burney is a former Duval County School Board member who joined the Duval County School Board in November 2004 and held the distinction of serving as a two-time Board Chairman (2006 and 2011) and a two-time Vice Chairman (2005 and 2010). At the end of her term as Chairman, Duval County Public Schools achieved the distinction of having all chronically low performing schools exit the state of Florida’s intervene list. Burney serves as a trainer for the Center for Reform of School Systems where she works with School Boards and Superintendents throughout the country to provide technical assistance on governance strategies and practices designed to impact student achievement and to narrow the academic achievement gap.
Burney is the recipient of numerous education related awards including the WJCT Public Television’s American Graduate Champion Award and the United Negro College Funds Educator of the Year award. In September 2025, Burney was honored by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a Jacksonville Jaguars Community Champion and is the recipient of the One Jax Humanitarian award, Betty has served on numerous boards and currently serves as Chairman of the city’s the Journey Forward Board and the Forward Empowerment Foundation Board. She is a proud graduate of the University of Miami where she earned her BA degree and a graduate of Northern Illinois University where she earned her Master of Arts in Public Administration.
Directions:
We meet at Riverplace Tower, also known as the Ameris Bank building. This is a walkable location along the Southbank Riverwalk and also convenient to the First Coast Flyer and the Skyway Riverplace Station.
There is limited free street parking, and paid parking is also available in a neighboring surface lot and garage.
Entering from the Riverwalk: take the stairs or elevator next to Village Bread Company up to the Skyline Room.
Entering from Riverplace Blvd: take the escalators and walk toward the back of the building, behind the Ameris Bank offices.
Entering from the garage: make a right at the first bank of elevators and another right into the hallway between the Ameris Bank offices.
Entering from the driveway between Riverplace Tower and the Doubletree: Walk down the hallway to the left, and make another left toward the restaurant. Take the elevator or stairs near the restaurant to the meeting space.
About Cuppa Jax:
Cuppa Jax holds gatherings for neighborhood and community leaders that are open to everyone in Jacksonville. Join us on Wednesday mornings in the Skyline Room in the Riverplace Tower on the Southbank to discuss important issues facing our city.
Scheduled speakers will talk for 10-15 minutes. The rest of the time is spent with Q&A and discussion of relevant issues brought up by participants. We also encourage attendees to make community announcements at the beginning of the program.
Some Important Things to Note:
No membership fee. Unlike many other discussion forums in Jacksonville, there is no membership fee to attend or participate in Cuppa Jax. We do ask attendees to cover the cost of coffee and breakfast provided by the restaurant in the building, which gives us access to the space. If you cannot attend due to the cost of the event, please email [email protected] and we will be glad to cover your ticket.
Topical and timely. We are seeking local thought leaders who can discuss and educate about important community issues to speak at future dates. We don’t accept offers to speak about or pitch organizations. Cuppa Jax is non-partisan, and does not endorse candidates or issues. An offer to speak does not constitute an endorsement. It is simply an opportunity for the community to have a meaningful discussion.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Skyline Room, Riverplace Tower, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard, Jacksonville, United States
USD 15.00
