🗣️ I’m now an official character in @minecraft ! 🤯Teaching kids about environmental sustainability and creating more pathways to STEM Careers! Plus, Jacksonville is now one of just a few cities in the entire world featured in Minecraft Education Edition! Today, I joined Mayor Donna Deegan to announced the launch jacksonville.gov/minecraft the New Jax City Build Challenge!
I’m honored to have played an instrumental role in making this happen for our city!
Players from around the world can now log into Minecraft Education, explore the @cityofjax , meet the mayor, me and other local leaders, learn about what we do, and engage with challenge prompts that introduce them to sustainability, STEM careers and real-world city planning.
Now through May 2, ALL students across Duval County elementary to college can submit their builds for a chance to compete in the Mayor’s Cup on May 20—and win some awesome prizes!
We’re still looking for event sponsors—so if you or your organization want to support, please reach out!
Huge shoutout to Minecraft Education and our amazing local planning team:
Heather Schatz (City of Jacksonville), Ivy Gayandrial Henderson (LIFT JAX), Nadine S. Ebri (Ebri Education), Dante Nana Yaw Teitey (Safe Haven Technologies), Darrell Eakins Jr. & Darrin Eakins (Dublase Foundation), Monica (Minecraft), and Corey (Lifeboat).
Special thanks to Tracye Ann Polson, Darryl Willie—this would not be possible without you!
Please encourage every student in our city to participate.
Learn more and get started at jacksonville.gov/minecraft
#MinecraftEdu #NewJaxCity #MayorCupJax #JaxStudentsBuildTheFuture #WomenInSTEM #CityBuilder #BlackInSTEM #DuvalDoesItBest #minecraft
#40under40 This one is for the visionaries.
For the ones who plant seeds in unlikely places.
Who speak up, build boldly, and make space for others to bloom.
I’m honored to be named one of Jacksonville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 among so many amazing leaders! This recognition isn’t just mine—it belongs to every supporter, farmer, neighbor, collaborator, and ancestor who helped pave the way.
It’s for my son Ayden, 11 years old and already dreaming big. A future honoree in the making.
Thank you to my village, my city, and everyone who believes in me and pushes me to be better everyday!
We’re just getting started.
#40Under40 #SustainabilityInAction #BloomWhereYouAre #AshantaeGreen #Leadership #Jacksonville #LegacyInTheMaking #agreenduval
😬Me casually getting in the St. Johns River and realizing half my followers think I survived a near death experience 😂🌊
Meanwhile @ironmantri athletes are literally swimming in it tomorrow lol. (Water tested 👌🏽)
But honestly… the convo with @rachelpaige__ around what I do, the river, water quality, wildlife, pollution, currents, and why the water is brown was actually super interesting. The St. Johns is way more complex than people think. Check the video out on @cre8jax page.
Still crying at some of these comments though 😭Check below for some interesting facts and safety info about the river ⬇️
Why does the St. Johns River look like that? 😅
That’s been one of the most common questions this week by Jacksonville residents when they found out that the @ironmantri triathletes were going to be swimming 2.4 miles in the St. Johns this Saturday morning — so @rachelpaige__ & I brought in the expert to help us understand; @ashantaegreen , the Sustainability Manager for the City of Jacksonville.
The water quality in the river is tested constantly and proved to be well beyond safety levels. Now, that doesn’t mean go drink the water, but it does mean that it’s safe to swim in!
Don’t forget that a significant amount of seafood that we eat in the city does come from the St Johns 😬
Are ya’ll with Rachel by the end of the video? 😅
13 years later, Ayden is officially taller than me. 😅
He’s using power tools, cooking full farm-fresh meals on his own, cracking jokes, walking into sickle cell appointments without fear, and still asks to watch movies with me… even though I fall asleep (almost) every single time. 😭
Watching him grow into such a kind, smart, resilient, respectful, thoughtful, funny, and truly amazing young man has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. I thank God for the opportunity!
No title, accomplishment, or award could ever compare to being a mom! I am so proud of the person he’s becoming. 💚
