Jamaican-American attorney to receive Parkland proclamation
Jamaican-American attorney, humanitarian, author, and community advocate Kaysia Earley will be honoured by the City of Parkland, Florida, with a Juneteenth Proclamation recognising her contributions to justice, humanitarian service, education, and community empowerment.
The proclamation is scheduled to be presented by Mayor Richard Walker and the Parkland City Commission at City Hall on June 3. The recognition highlights Earley’s impact as an attorney and community leader whose work has supported and uplifted communities across the Jamaican diaspora.
Earley, whose father is from Spanish Town, St Catherine, maintains strong family ties to Jamaica and has remained actively involved in humanitarian and mentorship initiatives across the island for several years.
Speaking with Observer Online on Thursday, Earley described the recognition as both an honour and a privilege.
“This recognition reflects the countless hours of pro bono legal service I’ve provided to individuals who could not afford adequate legal representation, as well as the charitable work that I’ve undertaken through community outreach and non-profit efforts. I’m sincerely grateful to the mayor of Parkland and the city commission for this recognition. More importantly, it encourages me to continue serving others and being a blessing to those in need because a generous person always prospers,” she said.
Earley said she was especially humbled because the recognition came from her own city and during its Juneteenth observance.
“Being honoured during the city’s Juneteenth celebration made the recognition even more meaningful, considering Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved African Americans were free following the end of the Civil War. It’s a powerful reminder of resilience, freedom and progress. To receive this honour during such a significant observance is a blessing,” she said.
A criminal defence attorney for the past 13 years, Earley is the founder and owner of Earley Law Firm. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in Washington, DC, and later obtained her Juris Doctor from St Thomas University School of Law in Miami.
Earley also shared that her passion for criminal defence law stemmed from a personal experience during her senior year in college when she was incarcerated and placed in solitary confinement after giving away discounted merchandise from her employer to friends and relatives.
“Experiencing the criminal justice system first-hand gave me a unique perspective and a deep sense of empathy for those facing legal challenges…Today, I bring a rare perspective to my practice, having experienced the justice system from both sides, first as a defendant and now as a defender of justice.”
Earley visits Jamaica frequently and owns a home in Trelawny, where she spends considerable time while carrying out non-profit and outreach work. She has also spoken at several schools, including William Knibb Memorial High School.
“My visits allow me to maintain strong family ties while continuing my charitable and educational initiatives on the island. This is my home,” she said.
In 2022, Earley ran as a judicial candidate in Broward County, Florida. She is also the founder of Seeds of Manna, Inc, a non-profit organisation focused on providing relief and sustainable support to underserved communities affected by natural disasters.
In addition to her legal work, Earley is a journalist and legal commentator who has appeared on CourtTV, Law & Crime, CBS, NewsNation, and other media platforms. She is also an award-winning author whose debut memoir, Houses Built by Faith, received the 2026 Christlit and Literary Titan Book Awards and became a number one Amazon bestseller.
Earley lives in Broward County with her husband, David, and their four children.