2BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD MONDAY , FEBRUARY 6 , 2017
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Black History Month in Miami-Dade County : Honoring Our Community ’ s and Na�on ’ s Heroes
By : Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos Giménez
Mayor Carlos Giménez
Black History Month is a �me for us to reflect on the contribu�ons that African-Americans have made to American
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY VICE-CHAIRWOMAN ’ S REPORT
The Legacy of Barack Obama
By : Audrey M . Edmonson
Audrey M . Edmonson Vice Chairwoman Board of County Commissioners
Being a public servant in the era of society . At the na�onal level , we look to trailblazers like President Barack Obama , our na�on ’ s first African-American president . I had the honor of serving as County Mayor during five of his eight years in office . Another icon was civil rights ac�vist and leader Dr . Mar�n Luther King Jr ., whose work has impacted our modern society in so many ways . President Obama and Dr . King have le� legacies that we can proudly celebrate and honor not only this month , but every day of the year . In Miami-Dade County , we need only look at the names of our streets , buildings , monuments and parks to see the contribu�ons of African-American greats like arts advocate Sandrell Rivers ; Gwen Cherry , the first African-American woman to be elected to the Florida Legislature ; U . S . District Judge Wilkie D . Ferguson ; ac�vist and community leader Joseph Caleb and civil rights ac�vist and poli�cian Athalie Range . We also have heroes among us like
President Barack Obama was an incredible experience . Our encounters inspired me to work harder , study more and stay up later to try to create a be�er place for residents to live , work and play in Miami-Dade County . There will be a lot of commentary about the legacy of Barack Obama but in my opinion he was one of the most accessible presidents in recent history . The White House ’ s communica�on was historically reserved at the local level to Mayors of large urban ci�es . Typically , outside of governors and State legislators , local elected officials worked in a pyramid pecking order . However , this President and his administra�on �relessly worked for inclusion of everyone , especially local elected officials .
Miami-Dade County ’ s first female African-American County A�orney Abigail Price-Williams and County Commissioners Audrey Edmonson , Barbara Jordan and Dennis Moss – all public servants who are paving the way for other African-Americans to lead our community , and who , through their service , are making a be�er Miami-Dade for all Miamians . And we have ac�vists like Leroy Jones , whose work through my Employ Miami-Dade ini�a�ve is helping African-Americans in neighborhoods with the highest levels of unemployment get the training they need to secure good-paying jobs and help break the cycle of poverty that has gone on for far too long in parts of our community .
When we look at the great African- Americans in our community , we can clearly see a common thread of public service . I gave my sixth State of the County address on January 18 , days a�er we celebrated Dr . Mar�n Luther King Jr . Day , and in my speech
It was this President that first spoke of breaking silos and crea�ng inter-agency dialogue for agencies and cons�tuencies to speak to one another and work in tandem to create a be�er , more seamless process for vital work to be done in our communi�es . He understood that informa�on trickling down to officials closer to the people was not only necessary but impera�ve . During a �me when our na�on was in crisis , President Obama made sure , firsthand , local governments could help spur economic growth , create employment opportuni�es and were ou�i�ed to address those needs . Miami-Dade County and its residents benefi�ed from those opportuni�es .
I also believe that President Barack Obama will leave a legacy of resilience . He
I referenced Dr . King ’ s quote on public service : “ Everybody can be great because anybody can serve .” This statement resonates so deeply because it is �meless , and it reminds us that , through service , we can all play a role in making our community be�er for all Miamians – for future and current genera�ons .
Miami-Dade County would not be where it is today if it were not for our African-American community . In honor of Black History Month , I urge every resident of our County to celebrate these contribu�ons by commi�ng to serving others . There are so many ways to get involved , and many needs to be met . I also encourage every resident to celebrate by taking part in the County-wide events that commemorate Black History Month . There is a complete calendar of events available on the County ’ s Black History Month web page at : www . miamidade . gov / holidays / black-history-month . asp .
taught us that in an ever-changing world and environment , we must rise to the occasion and take prudent and necessary steps to address tough issues . He reminds us that if we stay the course , we will see change . Resilience is a word Miami-Dade County is most familiar with . We have endured natural disasters , loss of infrastructure , budget crises and most recently , young lives to senseless gun violence . We have and we will con�nue to rise and face challenges with integrity and expediency to not only see the change we want to happen , but to also be the change .
Thank you , Mr . President for your leadership . You have set a fine example and have le� a great legacy of resiliency and being accessible to all .
Providing News / Informa�on and Connec�ng Florida ’ s Black Affluencers and Influencers
CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS " The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and na�onal antagonisms when it accords to every person , regardless of race , color or creed , full human and legal rights . Ha�ng no person , fearing no person , the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all hurt as long as anyone is held back ."
Member of the Black Owned Media Alliance ( BOMA )
Subscribe to and view the digital version of Legacy Magazine
# BeInformed # BeInfluential # LegacyBlackHistoryMonth
Dexter A . Bridgeman CEO & Founder Kervin L . Clenance Group Publisher Denise St . Patrick-Bell PhD Copy Editor Zachary Rinkins Editor at Large Toni Harrigan Associate Editor
Nordene Bartley Marke�ng Manager Mya Carr / Intern Wytney Dorvilus / Intern Nestor Calixto / Intern Md Shahidullah Art Director