Miami-Dade Vice Chairman’s Message |
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As Vice Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, I would like to recognize the valuable work of the Office of Community Advocacy and the advocacy boards they support. Experienced staff and volunteer residents work together on behalf of the public to facilitate community dialogue and foster an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding here in Miami-Dade County, one of the nation’s most dynamically and culturally diverse metropolitan areas. The cohesion that we enjoy despite the broad spectrum of communities in our County is a testament to their great work.
The boards that fall under the Office of Community Advocacy are as varied as the communities that call our great County home. These advocacy boards seek to create a platform and give voice to every member of our society. In our efforts to promote inclusivity, the Board of County Commissioners has created boards such as the Black Affairs, the Hispanic Affairs, the Asian American, and the LGBTQ+ Advisory boards. We have also established boards to advise us on issues impacting our most vulnerable populations such as elders, veterans, and individuals with special needs.
The Community Relations Board also plays a vital role. It is charged specifically with engaging the advisory boards and the public-at-large to address community tensions before they boil over. Its work has proved invaluable time and time again. Having positive intergroup relations and open lines of communication are crucial for a melting pot such as ours. It makes us stronger, more resilient, and more thoughtful as a whole.
On behalf of the residents of Miami-Dade County, I would like to thank the staff and advocacy board members for choosing to serve our community and for doing such an excellent job.
Vice Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III
District 1
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The City of Miami was incorporated on July 28, 1896, so this week Miami celebrated its 125th birthday. In honor of this milestone, HistoryMiami museum is featuring a special exhibit, “It’s a Miami Thing: Highlights from Our Collection.” The exhibit, which runs from July 29, 2021, to January 9, 2022, includes artifacts, objects, maps, photographs, archival materials, and more from the museum’s extensive collection. It includes an April 1895 letter from Henry Flagler to Julia Tuttle, the “Mother of Miami” and the only woman founder of a major American city. And next time you’re in Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, check out the magnificent Julia Tuttle statue unveiled in 2010 by the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women and the City of Miami Commission on the Status of Women. |
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Nominations now open for the 2022
In the Company of Women Awards
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Nominations are being accepted for the In the Company of Women Awards. Categories include Outstanding Woman in Arts & Entertainment, Outstanding Young Professional, Community Spirit Award and more. Winners will be awarded at the March 10 ceremony. Nominate an amazing woman you know today.
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Be sure to plan and prepare ahead of time. Click the button below to visit our website for more information on how to be prepared during hurricane season.
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Miami-Dade shelter pets looking
for their forever homes
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Miami-Dade Animal Services is in need of adopters and foster parents. The department has taken in more than 2,600 animals in the last month and expects numerous new arrivals throughout the summer. Adoptions include the first set of vaccines, microchip, deworming and spay/neuter surgery.
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Miami-Dade AAAB & Miami-Dade Public Schools host a business webinar for community business owners |
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The Miami-Dade Asian American Advisory Board partnered with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools to host a webinar on “How to do business with Miami-Dade County Public Schools”. Panel discussions were centered on how to be certified, the benefits of being certified, and the supplier development program. |
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Miami-Dade BAAB Heritage Planning Committee hosts the Community Pillar Awards Event |
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The Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee held its annual “Community Pillar” Awards and presented “Young Pillar" Scholarships to five students.
The event was held at the Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel and Conference Center on June 26th. Community Pillars were:
- Dannie P. Felton, Sr., CEO of “The Experts” Real Estate Group
- Rashad Thomas, director for Strategic Partnerships and Community Relations-PortMiami
- Elder Kenneth Duke, Pastor, New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church
- Joy Starkey, program director, Minority Business Development Agency
- Paola Pierre, immediate past chair of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce
- Deric Smith, CEO, Supreme Roofing & Construction
The “Corporate Pillar” was presented to Connie Kinnard, Vice President, Multicultural Tourism for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (GMCVB).
Five Young Pillars were awarded scholarships including:
- George Pickens IV (Tennessee State University)
- Osamega Urhoghide (University of South Florida)
- Courtnee Fields (Miami Dade College)
- Tyrese Adisa (Florida International University)
- Tyrece Davis (University of Central Florida)
Additionally, the GMCVB’s “Black Hospitality Initiative" (BHI) presented scholarships to:
- Azel Ciriaco (Florida Memorial University)
- Alem Richardson (Miami Dade College)
- Daniel Montgomery (Florida International University) as part of an annual collaboration.
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Miami-Dade CRB Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Committee discusses recent major events and the effects on first responders. |
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The Miami-Dade Community Relations Board CJLE Committee held a meeting to discuss Florida's anti-riot law, the Surfside tragedy and building evacuations, and the Rolling Loud Festival. In light of everything that our law enforcement officers experience, the meeting also sparked a conversation around the mental wellness of first responders. This topic will carry over to the next meeting that will be held in September. |
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Miami-Dade HAAB hosts panel discussion on identifying and combating immigration-provider fraud |
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The Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) held a panel discussion on identifying and combating immigration-provider fraud in Miami-Dade County. Representatives from the Florida Bar, the State Attorney’s Office, Americans for Immigrant Justice, Catholic Legal Services of Miami, Church World Service Miami Branch, and the Florida Immigrant Coalition were on the panel. The moderator was Juan Gomez, Immigration Clinic Director from Florida International University’s College of Law. |
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Domestic Violence Oversight Board
Gaps & Needs Report
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The Domestic Violence Oversight Board (DVOB) provided important data in the Gaps & Needs Report to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), reflecting the serious public health problem domestic violence represents to Miami-Dade County. The Gaps & Needs Report is an appendix to the DVOB’s 2020 Annual Report (the Report) which contains recommendations submitted to the BCC in 2020. |
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ACCESS Miami connects the disability community to valuable resources |
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The Center for Independent Living of South Florida and other local disability organizations and advocates have launched ACCESS Miami, a one-stop information and resource hub for the disability community. ACCESS Miami’s website features reliable information on various categories such as advocacy, education, employment, finances, health, and more. |
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Miami-Dade County monitoring COVID-19 |
Miami-Dade County officials continue to work with local, state, and federal agencies to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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For more information and updates on COVID-19, visit the following sites:
Miami-Dade County COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
or call (305) 614 -2014
Miami-Dade County Updates Regarding Coronavirus:
Miami-Dade County COVID-19 Testing Locations and Information:
Miami-Dade County #WeCanWeWill public education campaign:
Miami-Dade County COVID-19 Relief and Assistance:
United Way of Miami-Dade COVID-19 Resource Center:
Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Updates:
CDC COVID-19 Information:
Get help paying your light bill:
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COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
BOARD MEETINGS UPDATES
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**There are several vacancies on the following Advisory Boards. If you are interested in serving on one of our boards, contact the respective board Program Director listed below. |
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Chairperson: Sharon Fine
Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Location: TBA
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Chairperson: Stephen Johnson, Esq.
Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 10 a.m.
Location: TBA
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Chairperson: Monica Interian
Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at 4 p.m.
Location: TBA
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Chairperson: John Quick, Esq.
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 2 p.m.
Location: TBA
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Chairperson: Miguel A. De Grandy, Esq.
TBA
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Domestic Violence Hotline, call 1-800-500-1119 |
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Chairperson: Paul Hunt
Thursday, September 30, 2021 at 10 a.m.
Location: TBA
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Miami-Dade County has the largest population in the State of Florida of individuals 60+ years old. With a County population that totals 2.7 million, more than 435,000 of the total population is made up of those 62+. On May 1, 2018 the Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 18-49 creating the Miami-Dade County Elder Affairs Advisory Board.
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Report elder abuse at 1-800-962-2873 |
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Dr. Antonio Jorge Social and Economic Development Council (SEDC) |
Chairperson: Dr. Raul Moncarz
Friday, August 27, 2021, at 2 p.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33142, 18th Floor
Room 18-4
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Chairperson: Jose Diaz
Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 6 p.m.
Location: TBA
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Chairperson: Aiyana Angeni Gonzalez
Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at 3 p.m.
Location: Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street, Miami, Florida 33142, 18th Floor
Room 18-2
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Stephen P. Clark Government Center
111 NW 1st Street Suite 1034
Miami, Florida 33128
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Sincerely,
Laura Morilla, Executive Director
Office of Community Advocacy
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Office of Community Advocacy
| 305.375.5730 | laura.morilla@miamidade.gov | www.miamidade.gov/advocacy/home.asp
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