Service
Responding to needs with meaningful action
Leadership
Growth through mentorship and connection
Education
Building a foundation for empowerment
Community
Engagement and support for lasting impact
The History of WINGS International Foundation
Wisdom In Navigating Global Service International Foundation (W.I.N.G.S.) grew from a shared commitment to service, leadership, education, and community impact.
The idea for W.I.N.G.S. International Foundation began with a conversation between former State Senator Dwight Bullard and Dr. Keitha D. Burnett about how to advance her lifelong commitment to education, leadership, and service.
That conversation developed into a shared vision among Dr. Burnett and her former students whose lives had been shaped by her guidance, mentorship, and leadership. Together, they created W.I.N.G.S. as a space where purpose, education, mentorship, and meaningful action come together to empower individuals and strengthen communities.
WINGS was inspired by Dr. Keitha D. Burnett’s lifelong commitment to empowering students and strengthening communities. For two decades, she coached students in Black History and Cultural Brain Bowl, guiding her teams to multiple championships, including state.
Dr. Burnett’s dedication to underserved migrant communities also led her to establishing Lawrence Academy, the first charter high school in Florida City, FL. From 2005-2015, the academy served students k-12 grade.
In 2025, Dr. Burnett organized the “Call to Action” symposium at Gulliver Preparatory school. The symposium provided students with a platform to identify social injustice, engage in meaningful dialogue, and advocate for positive change.
WINGS is an extension of Dr. Burnett’s lifelong commitment to education, civic engagement, women’s issues, social-environmental justice, and mental health awareness.
After decades of serving students, families, schools, and communities, Dr. Keitha D. Burnett envisioned a way for her work to continue beyond the classroom. Together with former students, W.I.N.G.S. International Foundation was founded to carry forward her commitment to education, civic engagement, women’s issues, social-environmental justice, and mental health awareness.
Through education, advocacy, leadership development, community engagement, and intergenerational mentorship,
W.I.N.G.S. empowers people to discover their purpose, develop their potential, and create positive change. Its work centers on four interconnected areas: education, women’s issues, social-environmental justice, and mental health.
The name reflects the foundation’s belief that every person deserves the opportunity to rise, grow, lead, and serve.
Through education, advocacy, leadership development, community engagement, and intergenerational mentorship, W.I.N.G.S. seeks to help students and community individuals discover their purpose and use their gifts to make a positive difference in the world.
From the beginning, W.I.N.G.S. has focused on four major areas: education, women’s issues, societal and environmental justice, and mental health. These areas represent the foundation’s belief that strong communities are built when people are informed, empowered, supported, and connected.
Today, W.I.N.G.S. International Foundation continues to grow as a movement rooted in legacy, service, and possibility.
It honors the work of those who came before us while preparing the next generation of leaders to carry that work forward. W.I.N.G.S. is more than an organization; it is a commitment to lifting others, creating opportunities, and helping individuals soar with purpose.
The 2026-27 “Legacy of Learning” project is now underway. Through recorded interviews, the project documents the firsthand experience of Florida educators who lived through the desegregation of public schools. Preserving these oral histories ensure that their experiences, insights, and contributions remain part of historical record and are shared with future generations.
2028 National Conference centered on the foundation’s mission and purpose. More to come.
Testimonials
Hear from former students whose lives have been shaped by Dr. Keitha D. Burnett’s teaching, guidance, mentorship, and leadership— and learn why they joined W.I.N.G.S. International Foundation.
Dr. Burnett was instrumental in helping me gain admission to Bethune-Cookman University and secure a full four-year scholarship through the Black History and Cultural Brain Bowl. As an immigrant and first-generation college student, I gained the confidence through Dr. Burnett’s teaching, mentorship, and leadership to move beyond the limitations that society’s biases had placed on me.
Dr. Burnett taught me always to strive for excellence, never to let my circumstances dictate my future, and to use knowledge to create positive change and advocate for those who have no voice. She was the first adult who truly believed in me and supported my educational journey.
I joined WINGS because it gives me the opportunity to give back..
Susan Chang, MBA
Miami Carol City Senior High School, 1989
Dr. Burnett had a strong influence in my school experience as she supported the creative and curiosity in learning across multiple disciplines. She promoted excellence in our work, collaboration through regional and state competitions. Her interests in history and collaboration opened my interests across heritage and my work today in historic preservation. I joined WINGS to support the students from less voiced communities providing the space to enable critical thinking and confidence in their work.
Dr. George S. Jaramillo, PhD
Design and Architecture Senior High School, 1996
Dr. Burnett was the director and my civic teacher at the first Charter School in Florida City that she founded: Lawrence Academy Charter School. I was part of the inaugural group in 2006 and her impact in my life changed the trajectory of my future! Coming from an immigrant family she motivated me to be the first generation of my family to go to college and gain my masters degree. She is also a huge part if my life personally now. She still motivates me to seek opportunities that align with my values snd not just my bank account and I am eternally grateful!
I joined WINGS to be a part of a legacy worth sharing and help make an impact in lives.
Diana Diaz, M.Ed.
Lawrence Academy, 2012
Dr. Burnett advised me and led me to become president of the South Dade NAACP Youth Council and guide the youth in community initiatives. This is relevant today because Dr. Burnett has kept me connected with the South Dade community through WINGS. I joined WINGS because I wanted an opportunity to continue my community involvement beyond law school.
The various pillars align with my efforts throughout my life as well.
Amber Ree Robinson, Law Student
Coral Reef Senior High School, 2018
As a high school student, to have had a young professional Social Studies Teacher was impactful to me as a teenager.
It inspired me as a double minority as she was to aspire for higher education. She was proof that it would be possible for me as well. I graduated from a prestigious college as an Architect. As an adult and parent, I found myself becoming an activist. The teacher that I have kept in touch with all these years 30 plus years, has been Dr. Burnett. Her influence on me has helped me become the organizer and leader in my community towards improving the lives of others. I joined WINGS to expand my activism towards policies to improve the lives in our communities. Also, to help guide the next generations.
Franzella Guido Chacon,
Bachelor of Architecture
Design and Architecture Senior High School, 1994
Dr Burnett has been and continues to be an inspiration to me. She saw something in me, that I didn’t really see in myself yet.
I feel a calling to serve my community, and to surround myself around with people who inspire me, so that I may extend that same energy to those around me as well.
Bonnie Villafane,
Graphic Design, BFS
Bachelor of Architecture
Design and Architecture Senior High School, 1997
Dr Burnett showed that she cared about the education and development of her students beyond the classroom. “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care”
Morton Manassaram,
Finance BS
Miami Carol City Senior High School, 1989
Dr Burnett She instilled self pride and made me think about my future by setting goals. Something that was not done in my home growing up
I joined WINGS for the opportunity to help pay it forward. Maybe there is someone that grew up like I did, and I can be the one to help realize and support their future. Good Mentorship is key to making a difference.
Rickie Yesenia Ricks,
Biology BS
Miami Carol City Senior High School, 1990
Dr. Burnett taught me how to be academically competitive.
I learned to pursue excellence. This approach helps in my career, especially when I am teaching my own medical students.
To be able to share some of the things I learned from Dr.
Burnett
Dr. Barnell Phillips III, MD
Miami Carol City Senior High School, 1989
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