A heartfelt welcome to our newest Commissioner!

The Office of Community Advocacy extends its congratulations to County Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis, the new Commissioner for District 6. Commissioner Milian Orbis was appointed on May 6 to fill the vacancy left by now-U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera. The Commissioner will serve as the Vice Chair of the Government Efficiency and Ad Hoc Committee and as a member of both the Airport and Appropriations Committees.  Prior to her appointment, she served as the Vice Mayor of the City of West Miami. 



Commissioner Milian Orbis began her County career in 2006 and, since then, has served in a variety of County roles that have given her a breadth of knowledge and experience that she will use to help residents and advance important legislation. From 2013 until the time she was appointed County Commissioner, she was a cherished colleague in the Office of Community Advocacy, leading both the Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board and the Dr. Antonio Jorge Social and Economic Development Council. Your friends in the Office of Community Advocacy are very proud of you Commissioner and wish you the very best!

Hurricane season is here! Are you ready?

Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. Be sure to plan and prepare ahead of time with the Miami-Dade County Severe Weather and Emergency Readiness Guide. You can view the guide here.

Independence Day Celebrations

Independence Day is this Friday, July 4, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday around town. Tropical Park is hosting a celebration from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. featuring food trucks, live musical performances, a family fun zone, and fireworks. The Deering Estate is offering $8 general admission, plus active duty personnel and up to five family members receive free admission until Labor Day. Bayfront Park is having its annual fireworks spectacular, Coral Gables is having its fireworks show at the Biltmore Hotel, and Miami Beach is having its celebration in North Beach culminating with a choreographed drone show and fireworks display on the beachfront at 76 Street.

LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board holds

Pride Month Kickoff

On June 3, the Miami-Dade County LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava kicked off LGBTQ Pride Month at the Stephen P. Clark Center. As part of the ceremony, the Board unveiled Standing on the Shoulders of Heroes, an exhibit from the Stonewall National Museum & Archives. The display honors pioneering figures in LGBTQIA+ history whose courage continues to inspire the fight for equality and inclusion. During the event, the Board was honored with two municipal proclamations: one from Miami Gardens Councilwoman Linda Julien and another from Miami Beach Commissioner Alex Fernandez, recognizing the board’s commitment to advancing LGBTQIA+ rights and visibility.



The board also recognized Steve N. Adkins, who attended the event and was honored for his 25 years of service as president of the Miami-Dade Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Although unable to attend the event, Scott Galvin, a longtime North Miami Councilman who recently retired after more than 25 years of public service, was also acknowledged for his lasting contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Black Affairs Advisory Board holds

annual Pillar Awards luncheon

On June 14, the Miami-Dade County Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee (BHPC) hosted its annual “Community Pillar” awards and “Young Pillar” scholarship presentations with a brunch at the Miami Biscayne Bay Marriott. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava attended the event and made a special heartfelt presentation to “Community Legacy Pillar” and centenarian Nancy Dawkins.

This year’s Community Pillar Honorees were:

• Rick Beasley, executive director, CareerSource South Florida
• Kemi Arosanyin, director, Center for International Trade Development – World Trade Center
• Hazel Thompson, founder and director, The InterviewME Academy
• Rose Hedgemond, founder, Avenues of Excellence Finishing School
• Tina Brown, executive director, Overtown Youth Center

The “Jason Jenkins Corporate Community Pillar” award was presented to Marshall Ames for The Lennar Foundation and Victoria Tomas for Florida International University. The “Community Legacy Pillar” award was presented to the now 101-year-old Nancy Dawkins, who has dedicated most of her lifetime to civic engagement in our community.

The Black Affairs Advisory Board also awarded scholarships to seven Young Pillars, students who are slated to begin or complete their educational pursuits at various colleges.

Focusing on South Dade’s older adults

Staff of the Elder Affairs Advisory Board (EAAB) and the Office of Community Advocacy recently met with County Commission Vice Chairman Kionne L. McGhee to discuss the needs of South Dade’s elderly residents. It was a productive discussion about how to better serve the older adult community and bring much needed resources closer to the seniors, and EAAB thanks the Vice Chairman for the thoughtful conversation. Also present at the meeting were enthusiastic high school students who are part of the District 9 summer internship program. 

Elder Affairs Advisory Board observes

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

On June 13, the Miami-Dade County Elder Affairs Advisory Board (EAAB) joined nearly 200 seniors gathered in Miami Gardens for a special event organized by the Miami-Dade County Community Action and Human Services Department’s Office of Elder and Disability Services (OAIDSD). The event featured more than 25 medical and community service providers, along with educational seminars on topics vital to the health, safety, and well-being of older adults.

Every year June 15 is observed as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation faced by many older adults. The goal is to promote a better understanding of the factors that lead to elder abuse and exploitation, such as cultural, social, and economic influences.

Commission for Women presents

CEDAW recommendations to the Town of Miami Lakes

On June 17, the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women (CFW) Legislative Chair, Josephine Novo, presented the CFW's CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) recommendations to the Town of Miami Lakes at its Town Council meeting. The County's CEDAW Ordinance, enacted in 2015, requires an annual report on the status of women in Miami-Dade County and then tasks the CFW with making recommendations to address the needs identified in the report and improve the lives of women in our community.

Commission for Women celebrates Mary Brickell’s induction into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame

The Miami-Dade County Commission for Women (CFW) celebrates the induction of Mary Brickell, a pioneering figure in the founding and development of Miami, into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. The nomination was submitted by CFW leadership as part of its continued commitment to honoring the often-overlooked legacies of women who have shaped South Florida’s past and present.

“Mary Brickell’s leadership, compassion, and vision helped lay the foundations of Miami’s civic and economic life—at a time when women could not vote, yet still shaped the direction of history,” said Dr. Rose Martin, Program Director of the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women. “Her recognition at the state level affirms the lasting impact of her contributions.”

Brickell was a landowner, negotiator, and philanthropist who, alongside her husband, William Brickell, helped build the framework of modern-day Miami. Her legacy is most visible in the city’s Brickell neighborhood, a global financial hub that bears her family name.

The official induction ceremony will take place in September 2025 at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee, where a commemorative plaque honoring Brickell will be permanently housed in the Capitol building. The Florida Women’s Hall of Fame was created by the Florida Legislature in 1982 to recognize and honor women who have made significant contributions to the improvement of life for women and all Florida residents. To learn more about the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame and view the full list of inductees here.

Strive305 HUB: County’s one-stop resource for small businesses

In December 2024 Miami-Dade County launched the Strive305 HUB, an all-in-one resource platform for small businesses. At the Strive305 HUB, small business owners can find information on resources, workshops and trainings, loans, events, etc. Powered by Miami-Dade County and funded and sponsored by Wells Fargo, the Strive305 HUB makes it easier to find the resources and tools that small business owners need to be successful. Another helpful website is Axis Helps, with information and resources for both small business owners and individuals in need.

Don’t forget to request a Vote-By-Mail ballot

Due to recent changes in Florida law, all requests for vote-by-mail ballots expired at the end of 2024 so any request on file with the Supervisor of Elections has expired. If you wish to continue voting by mail you must make a new request, either online or by calling 305-499-8444.

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 Stephen P. Clark Government Center 

111 NW 1st Street Suite 1034

Miami, Florida 3312

Office of Community Advocacy 

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