Pine Hills Community Council's Youngest President Julien Serrano-O’Neil Charts a New Course

Julien Serrano-O’Neil, a name now synonymous with a new era in Pine Hills, has made history as the youngest and first Gen Z president of the Pine Hills Community Council in its 54- year history. O’Neil's journey from a young man "counted out" by society to a community leader is a powerful narrative of resilience, higher education, and a deep commitment to his hometown.

In my recent interview, O’Neil, who proudly calls himself a "homegrown kid" from Pine Hills, spoke easily about his early life. "I got into a lot of trouble as a youth," he admitted, recalling a difficult period that included experiencing homelessness. "A lot of people were like, 'Oh, you know, he's just going to keep getting in trouble...he'll be another statistic."

The critical turning point came during his freshman year at Evans High School in 2015, when he joined the Future Leaders United (FLU) after-school enrichment program, becoming one of its original members and eventually that organization's first student president. O’Neil noted that before joining FLU, his grades were average, "B's, C's, you know, maybe." However, the program provided a much-needed support system that led to a significant academic improvement, resulting in him graduating 81st in his class. He credited the program’s structure, which is founded on seven pillars including leadership development and college preparation, along with the steadfast support of Sandra Fatmi-Hall, with putting him on a new path.

The Road to Morehouse and Return Home

College was not an initial goal for O’Neil until his exposure to higher education through the FLU program and the Greater Orlando Upward Bound Math and Science Program, which allowed him to spend three summers on the Morehouse College campus. These experiences inspired him to apply. Although he was accepted into several schools, Morehouse became his top choice. When the institution didn't initially offer financial assistance, a scholarship program launched by Sandra Fatmi-Hall and her partners covered the cost of a pre-summer program. He later secured a spot in the Bonner Scholar Program, a network for community service, which resulted in him attending Morehouse on a scholarship and leaving with only about $18,000 of debt.

After graduating from Morehouse in 2021 with a degree in political science, O’Neil received major salary offers, including one for $200,000. He chose to turn them down, stating he felt a "debt owed to the community" that had supported him, prioritizing community contribution over a high salary. Upon his return, he joined the United Foundation of Central Florida as a staff member.

 Leading with PACE

O’Neil’s involvement with the Pine Hills Community Council dates back to 2014, when he joined as a sponsored student member. He later served as a director at large and second vice president before being elected president for a one-year term. He now leads the council with an approach that respects its long history, which began in 1972. In his Inaugural Address, PHCC President Julien Serrano-O’Neil reflects on the Council’s legacy, responsibility, and future as he begins his term as the youngest president in its history. Grounded in the words of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and more than five decades of civic leadership in Pine Hills, the address honors the Council’s founding, recognizes past and present leaders, and challenges incomplete narratives about the community. President Serrano-O’Neil introduces his administration’s guiding framework, as both a call to action and an open invitation for the community to move forward together.

His administration, which he refers to as the "PACE" administration, will have a focus on:

·         Participation: Increasing community involvement.

·         Accessibility: Making civic engagement more accessible to all residents.

·         Collaboration: Fostering partnerships with organizations and businesses that positively invest in the community.

·         Excellence: Tracking progress on established goals and producing a public report card.

The council's current primary focus is ensuring Pine Hills is a "safe, clean, and prosperous community," concentrating on beautification, zoning, economic development, and partnerships. This work, alongside the United Foundation, has been associated with positive community changes, including a reported decrease in crime of up to 46% and an increase in Evans High School's graduation rate. O’Neil emphasizes that the council welcomes "sustainable development that makes sense" and will only support ventures that yield a positive impact as the community works toward becoming an urban town center.

Regarding the topic of incorporation, O’Neil believes the community is moving in a positive direction, a view reinforced by the recent redistricting process that consolidated Pine Hills into a single district, District 7. While he is focused on present community goals, he acknowledged the possibility of future collaboration with incorporated towns like Eatonville, one of the country's oldest, as part of his collaboration goals.

O’Neil closed with our interview with "elevator speech" on Evans High School, describing it as a "place of high achievement" and the "heart and stronghold of Pine Hills." His mentor, Sandra Fatmi-Hall, shared her pride in O’Neil’s accomplishments, calling his path "history that we are in the making of." Furthermore, O’Neil’s future political aspirations were openly discussed, with Ms. Fatmi-Hall enthusiastically committing to his political career, stating she would "write the first check and be the 'loudest mouth'" in support should he run for commissioner, and eventually, the first mayor of an incorporated Pine Hills. Only time will tell, however I believe the future of Pine Hills is in great hands with Julien!