ABOUT MIKE SCOTT BIOGRAPHY
Commissioner Michael “Mike” Scott was born and raised in Orlando, Florida and is a veteran of the United States Air Force. He is the son of Mike Scott Senior of Richmond Heights and Diana Smith of Tangelo Park. He is a father and member of the Experience Christian Center Church
He works with several local schools and nonprofit organizations to mentor, counsel, and educate children and young adults. Mike has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America since he was nine years old; he has held several volunteer leadership roles with the organization and is a recipient of the Whitney M. Young Leadership Award.
Mike collaborated with the Public Defender’s Office to develop and implement a mentorship program in their Juvenile division with great successes. For over 18 years, he has since partnered with multiple organizations to create personal development and educational programs that serve youth and their families. Commissioner Scott, along with a team of fellow community leaders and correctional employees created several programs for youthful offenders to teach personal development, life skills, GED study strategies, and financial literacy. Another programming component offered is Cognitive Behavior therapy for teenagers which teaches teenage offenders to be accountable for their actions and helps them successfully transition back into the community.
Mike is the Executive Director of Helping All Youth Achieve “HAYA” a Florida 501c3 nonprofit that works with elementary, middle, and high school aged youth. Mike continued to mentor youth with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office under then Sheriff Jerry Demings, whose office partnered with a coalition of local nonprofits organizations to create a mentoring program called Offering Children Successful Outcomes (OCSO). This program aims to reduce disproportionate minority contact with law enforcement in high-risk schools and communities. This program goes beyond mentorship by collaborating with the school, family, and community. It incorporates mentoring, workshops and seminars, including monthly workshops for parents.
In 2019, Mike joined the City Orlando to coordinate one of the programs operated by the Families, Parks, and Recreation Department called My Brother's Keeper Orlando initiative. My Brother's Keeper (MBK) is a national initiative that addresses persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color. MBK aims to ensure that all young people reach their full potential. The focus of the local initiative is to enhance services for older youth and significantly increase the overall number of community volunteer mentors within the program.
In 2022, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings appointed Mike to serve on the Citizens Safety Task Force that was responsible for authoring several recommendations currently being implemented by local government agencies.
Mike is a recipient of several awards, both locally and nationally. He has consistently demonstrated a genuine desire to serve his community by helping youth and their families.
EDUCATION
- 2008-2011 - Valencia College – General Studies
- 2001- West Orange High School
HONORS AND AWARDS
- 2018 - Orange County Bar Association, Liberty Bell Award
- 2018 - Guardian Care History Maker Award Honoree
- 2016 - Direct General Insurance, Local Community Hero Award
- 2015 - Orange County Mayor’s Office, Public Service Employee of the Year
- 2014 - United States, Air Force Global War on Terror Medal
- 2014 - United States National Defense Service Medal
- 2013 - Boy Scouts of America, Whitney M. Young Leadership Award
- 2011 - Orange County Corrections Department, Juvenile Corrections Excellence Award
- 2005 - State of Florida, Circuit 9 Public Defender’s Officer, Outstanding Community Partner Award
ORGANIZATIONS/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Tangelo Baptist Church, Former Childhood Member
- Carter Tabernacle Church, Former Youth Member
- New Destiny Christian Center Church, Teenage Member
- The Experience Christian Center Church, Former Current Member Florida Council of Deliberation, Free Masonry, PHA, 32nd Degree Prince Hall Scottish Rite Mason
- Rudolph Bradley Masonic Lodge #706, Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge of Florida; Belize, Central America; & Jurisdiction, Incorporated Prince Hall Affiliated, Master Mason, Former Lodge Chaplin
- Florida Council of Deliberation, Free Masonry, PHA, 32nd Degree Prince Hall Scottish Rite Mason
- Orange County Mayors Office Citizens Safety Task Force, Member, Prosecution Subcommittee
- Ninth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office Community Engagement Committee, Member
- Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Annual Youth Summit Planning Committee, Member
- Orange County Educational and Support Professionals Union, “OESPA” Former Member
- Orange County Voters League, Former President, and Former Vice President
- Southwest Orlando Junior Chamber of Commerce, Former Vice President for Community Development
- University of Central Florida Soldiers to Scholars Program, Member
- IMAGES Mentoring Program, Valencia College Bridges to Success Program, Founding Officer
- Air Force Association, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Member
- Air Force Reserve, 38th Aerial Port Squadron, Section Orientation Lead
- Boy Scouts Troop 935, Former Scoutmaster
- Cub Scouts Pack 935, Former Committee Member
- Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Law Enforcement Memorial Planning Committee, Former Member
- Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Offering Children Successful Outcomes Mentoring Program
- Harbor House of Central Florida, walk a Mile in Her Shoes Planning Committee, Former Member
- Orange County Mayors Office Memorial Day Planning Committee, Former Member
- Orange County Family Services Department, Youth Shelter, Youth Mentor
- Orange County Family Services Department, Great Oaks Village, Youth Mentor
- Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Circuit 9 Probation, Youth Mentor
- Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Detention Services, Former Juvenile Detention Corporal
- Florida Department of Corrections, Certified Non-profit service provider
- State of Florida, Orange County Health Department, Former Human Services Counselor
- Orange County Family Services Department, Great Oaks Village, Mentor
- Valencia College Student Development Office, Student Government, Former Chief of Staff
- Volunteer UCF VUCF, Mentor/Volunteer
- University of Central Florida, Lead Scholars Program, Lead out Loud, Student Participant
- University of Central Florida, Men of Integrity, Former Member
- University of Central Florida, Air Force ROTC Det 159, Former College Cadet
- West Orange High School, Air Force JROTC FL-802, Former High School Cadet
- West Orange High School, Basketball Team 1997-2001