Mrs. Verneka Sturrup Silva is a native Floridian, born and reared in teh historical Coconut Grove of Miami. Mrs. Silva was educated in the Dade County Public School System. She graduated Florida A&M  University with a B.S. in Health & Physical Education. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Social Work from Atlanta Unviersity. He completed extensive Post Graduate work in Education Administration at New York University, Barry College and the University of Miami.

Mrs. Silva served Coral Gables Senior High School for 20 years, retiring from that school as the first Black female to be appointed Assistant Principal for Secondary Administration in the Dade County Public School System. She was an active member of many community service organizations, including the following: Coconut Grove Cares, Inc. (President); National Alliance of Black School Educators, Miami Chapter (President, Secretary); National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc., Miami Chapter (President); Girl's Clubs of America, Miami chapter (founding member); Atlanta University Alumni Association, Miami Chapter (founding President); Greater Miami Inter-Alumni Council, United Negro College Fund, Inc., (President representing Clark Atlanta University); Dade County Sickle Cell Foundation (founding member); Maxine Baker Foundation, Miami Mental Health Center (founding member, Vice President, Treasurer); Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (supporting life member); Planned Parenthood (Executive Board); March of Dimes, South Florida Chapter (board member); Dade County Community Relations Board (Co-Chairman); Dade County Public School Youth Advisory Board (Recording Secretary); Women's Chamber of Commerce of South Florida (charter member, Co-Chairman); Theodore R. Gibson Memorial Fund, Inc. (Vice President); Senior Citizens Council of Coconut Grove and; John Griffin Auxiliary #165 (Vice President).

Verneka Silva was the first African American in Miami to receive a Masters in Social Work, the first African American to become a principle at Coral Gables Senior High, the first African American to chair the Metro Dade Community Relation Board, and the first African American woman to become the Diocese of Southeast Florida Standing Committee.