Message from

Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III

2023 In The Company of Women Awards

In observance of Women’s History Month, the annual “In the Company of Women” awards dinner was held on March 16 at the Coral Gables Country Club with a stellar crowd of 400 attendees.  Retha Boone-Fye, the Program Director for the Black Affairs Advisory Board, was a recipient in the Mayor’s Pioneer Award category. The annual event is hosted by the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department and co-sponsored by the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women.

A new Status of Women Report is out!

The 2022 report on the status of women in Miami-Dade County is now available. The report, prepared by the Miami-Dade County Commission Auditor and the FIU Metropolitan Research Center, contains key data on how women in Miami-Dade County are faring in the areas of economic empowerment, the workforce, education, and health and safety.  

The Commission for Women will hold a public meeting on April 26, 2023, at 6PM at the South Miami Public Library located at 6000 Sunset Dr., South Miami, FL 33143. During that meeting, Dr. Maria Ilcheva from FIU’s Jorge M. Perez Metropolitan Center will present her findings from the new 2022 Miami-Dade County Status of Women Report. Members of the public and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

More than 5,000 people attend

the 32^nd Annual Asian Culture Festival

The Miami-Dade County Asian-American Advisory Board and the Miami-Dade Parks & Recreation Department joined the Thai-American Association of South Florida to offer two daytrips to the continent of Asia via the 32^nd Annual Asian Culture Festival. The festival took place March 4-5 in Tropical Park attracting more than 5,000 guests. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III, Vice Chairman Anthony Rodriguez (district commissioner), and Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez presented a proclamation and spoke about the significance of the celebration of Asia. The two-day, fun-filled family event offered music and dance performances, demonstrations, dragon boat races, arts and crafts, the ever-popular Lion Dance, and more. Attendees enjoyed a selection of authentic and delicious cuisine from a variety of Asian countries. 

Asian-American Heritage Night with the Miami Heat 

Our very own Asian-American Advisory Board was recognized by the Miami Heat on its court for the board’s contributions and leadership engaging Asian Americans living in Miami-Dade County. The Miami Heat celebrated Asian-American Heritage Night on March 25 with two NBA Asian players, Ömer Yurtseven, #77 form the HEAT, and Yuta Watanabe, #18, from the Brooklyn Nets. A group of kids representing our Asian community participated in the High-Five Club Experience, receiving their own t-shirt, and shaking the hands of the players before the game. 

Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations

held their annual Community Appreciation Dinner

On Saturday, March 4, COSMOS (Coalition of South Florida Muslim Organizations) held its annual Community Appreciation Dinner at the Hilton Miami Airport Hotel. Board of County Commission Chairman Oliver Gilbert, III, shared remarks of unity, togetherness, and faith. Many community partners attended this great event including Office of Community Advocacy Program Officers Gabriel Paez (LGBTQ Advisory Board), Teo Noboa (Interfaith Advisory Board) and Joshua Ho (Asian-American Advisory Board). Also in attendance were LGBTQ board member Sgt. Orlando J. Lopez and Interfaith Advisory Board member Dr. Abdul Samra.

The Black Affairs Advisory Board

holds “Wakanda Reflections Gala”

The Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee capped off its 2023 Black History Month programming with its “Wakanda Reflections Gala” held at the Joseph Caleb Center on February 24. Over 100 attendees enjoyed an evening of entertainment, dance and refreshments. Rodney Baltimore of HOT105 was the evening’s Master of Ceremonies and Ms. Sope Aluko, who appears as the Shaman in the blockbuster movies “Black Panther” and “Wakanda Forever”, was the special guest. 

Miami-Dade County Corrections Director

James Reyes meets with Religious Leaders

This month Miami-Dade County Corrections Director James Reyes held a Religious Leaders Meeting at the Headquarters Building. Director Reyes was joined by religious, faith-based, and spiritual leaders from throughout the County. Interfaith Advisory Board Vice Chairman Rabbi Mark Rosenberg, board member Rabbi Avrohom Brashevitzky, and Program Officer Teo Noboa were in attendance. This meeting produced insightful information/ideas for the betterment of both inmates and staff. The Interfaith Advisory Board thanks Director Reyes and his staff for the opportunity to engage in fruitful discussion with the goal of making Miami-Dade County a better place for all.

2022 Women's Hall of Fame Inductees

On April 10, 2023, at 11AM, the Commission for Women will present the Miami-Dade County 2022 Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center located at 111 NW 1^st Street, Miami, FL 33128. Miami-Dade County Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III will provide welcome remarks. Members of the public and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend. 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center (RTC) is a non-profit, hospital-based sexual assault crisis center located at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The RTC, opened in 1974 as one of the first rape treatment centers in the country, provides a comprehensive approach to the care and treatment of sexual assault victims ages 12 and older. The 24/7 Crisis & Sexual Assault Helpline is 305-585-RAPE (7273).

April is National Fair Housing Month

Miami-Dade County’s Human Rights Ordinance protects you from housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, source of income, gender identity or expression, and/or status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. If you believe you have been the subject of housing discrimination, contact the Miami-Dade County Commission on Human Rights or Housing Opportunities Project for Excellence (HOPE), Inc.

Social service assistance at the Libraries

The Miami-Dade Public Library System helps residents access much needed social services and resources, including information on housing, homeless placement, food, mental health, and other government assistance. Two social workers are on staff to help.

New “Protect Biscayne Bay” specialty license plates

Commit to buying a license plate and help protect Biscayne Bay. Three thousand plate vouchers must be presold.

Participate in Baynanza to protect our Bay

You can also show your love for our precious Biscayne Bay by taking part in the annual Baynanza Cleanup Day on April 15. From 9 a.m. to noon, thousands of volunteers will join together to clean up the bay’s shoreline at 31 different sites.