Message from Vice Chairman Anthony Rodriguez

As Vice Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, I, alongside my fellow District 9 Commissioner Kionne McGhee, presented an ordinance related to affordable workforce housing. Known as the “Saving Our Working Families” exemption, this provides for an additional Ad Valorem Taxation Reduction for qualifying households to be applied to millage rates levied by the County.

This legislation will incentivize property owners to construct more affordable housing for Miami-Dade County’s workforce by giving them a tax break on that property’s taxes. Affordable workforce housing plays a crucial role in ensuring economic stability, workforce recruitment and diversity, improved health and well-being, educational opportunities, and community resilience.

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 Hurricane Guide. 

LGBTQIA+ Board holds Pride Month Kickoff

County Commission Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, State Senator Shevrin Jones, and Commissioner Eileen Higgins with LGBTQIA+ Board members.

State Senator Shevrin Jones, County Commission Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, and Commissioner Eileen Higgins with LGBTQIA+ board members and staff.

Commissioner Eileen Higgins and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava with staff from the Office of Community Advocacy.

The LGBTQIA+ Advisory Board kicked off LGBTQ Pride Month on June 7 with a program at the Stephen P. Clark Center. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, County Commission Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III, and County Commissioner Eileen Higgins delivered remarks and State Senator Shevrin Jones also participated. Prior to the kick-off event, Mayor Levine Cava hosted the raising of the LGBTQ Pride Flag.

Black Affairs Advisory Board holds annual

Pillar Awards Ceremony

Issiah Edwards (BAAB); Aisosa Agbons (Young Pillar); Jihad Rashid (BAAB); Donovan Jackson (Community Pillar); Desmond Alufohai (BHPC); Beverly James (Community Pillar) Jessica Way (Jason Jenkins Corporate Community Pillar); Ronald Mumford (BAAB); Shekinah Rodgers (BHI Scholar); Jason Smith (Community Pillar); Everett Slocum (Community Pillar); D.J. Fabien (BAAB) Dr. Tisa McGhee (BAAB Co-Chair; Laura Morilla (Executive Director Office of Community Advocacy); Retha Boone-Fye (BAAB Program Director); Olalekan Aluko (Young Pillar); Dr. Germany Dixon (BAAB); Edgar Wright (BAAB/BHPC Chair). 

The Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee celebrated it’s 2023 “Community Pillars & Young Pillars” at its annual ceremony at the Biscayne Bay Marriott on Saturday, June 3. The Committee awarded scholarships to six outstanding "Young Pillars" who will be attending college and several corporate and community awards.

Commission for Women celebrates seniors from

the Young Women's Preparatory Academy

County Commissioners Roberto Gonzalez, Marleine Bastien, Rene Garcia, Eileen Higgins, and Kionne McGhee with the scholarship recipients and Commission for Women members and staff.

The Miami-Dade County Commission for Women (CFW) celebrated the achievements of three graduating seniors from the Young Women’s Preparatory Academy (YWPA) who have excelled academically and demonstrated significant contributions to their community by presenting them with $1,000 checks in support of their higher education endeavors. The scholarship presentation took place on June 12 in the Stephen P. Clark Center Commission Chambers during the Housing, Recreation, Culture, and Community Development Committee meeting presided by Chairwoman Marleine Bastien. Vice Chairwoman Eileen Higgins, Senator Rene Garcia, Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, and Commissioner Kionee McGhee also participated in the recognition event. 

YWPA is a distinguished and highly respected grade 6-12 magnet public school for girls. While the school is in Little Havana, it boasts a highly diverse student population with students who reside all over Miami-Dade County. The Young Women’s Preparatory Academy is a top 100 high school in the U.S. and has been consistently recognized by the U.S. News and World Report magazine and by Magnet Schools of America as among the top high schools in the country.  

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

• Sheyenne Peltrau – District 2, Savannah College of Art and Design.
• Katherine Nykolaisyn – District 6, Florida International University.
• Paola Pardo – District 10, Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA as a Posse scholar. 

Domestic Violence Oversight Board

presents Annual Report

The Miami-Dade County Domestic Violence Oversight Board (DVOB) Chair, Miguel A. De Grandy, presented the DVOB’s 2021 Annual Report (the Report) and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) and the Mayor.   The DVOB serves in an advisory capacity to the BCC on all issues relating to or affecting domestic violence. The DVOB is further tasked with reviewing “the Plan” annually to ensure it serves the needs of the community and survivors. As part of this responsibility, the DVOB may recommend needed Plan amendments, deletions, or modifications to the Board.

When the DVOB presents to the BCC the Plan, or amendments or modifications to the Plan, the BCC may adopt these as presented to the BCC, or the BCC may adopt an altered version of these upon a two-thirds majority. This Report does not include any amendments to the Plan but does provide legislative, policy, and programmatic recommendations to enhance and strengthen the current coordinated community response to domestic violence. The recommendations require BCC adoption. The DVOB recognizes the privilege and importance of informing the BCC and the Mayor on the state of domestic violence in Miami-Dade County. Equally critical is educating and raising awareness on the matter with members of the public, Miami-Dade County residents, and stakeholders. 

At a time when domestic violence incidents were rising, service modifications called for creative mobile advocacy, culturally relevant, victim centered services and the provision of the most basic needs and safety. Issues impacting survivors and their care continued to be a focus of the DVOB’s work during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and subsequent years. 

Please contact Liz Regalado, DVOB Executive Director, at elizabeth.regalado@miamidade.gov if you have any questions, or require additional information.  

Commission for Women on the road in

Miami Gardens

Commission for Women members and staff

The Miami-Dade County Commission for Women (CFW) held a public meeting on May 31 at the YWCA of South Florida’s Intergenerational Center in Miami Gardens. The CFW was joined by Kerry-Ann Royes, President & CEO, YWCA South Florida, and Jamarah Amani, Executive Director, Southern Birth Justice Center. 

Asian American Advisory Board celebrates

25th Anniversary at Community Recognition Gala

Members and staff of the Asian American Advisory Board

On Saturday, June 10, the Miami-Dade County Asian American Advisory Board celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a Community Recognition Gala at the Coral Gables Country Club. Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert, III, provided encouraging Special Remarks, in addition to Special Video Remarks from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and General Manager Kim Ng from the Miami Marlins. Jacqueline Quynh from CBS4 Miami served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. Close to 400 guests joined in the celebration and helped in congratulating six honorees from the Asian-American community: Make Us Visible Florida, UMC Free Clinic, Thai American Association of South Florida, Chinese New Year Festival Committee, Net HP, and Jinglu Cao. The following cultural artists shared their talents throughout the evening: Shayna Lee - Hipnotic Dance Studio, Nara Bollywood Dance Academy, Thai Dance Miami, Jinlu Dance, Ignite Dance Crew, and Ms. Yi Song on the Chinese Zither, in addition to an authentic Japanese Tea Ceremony experience. Let’s keep on working together for the next 25 years!

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 2022 so any request on file with the Miami-Dade Elections Department has expired. If you wish to continue voting by mail you must make a new request, either online or by calling 305-499-8444.

Volunteer opportunity at Pelican Harbor Marina

You can help keep Pelican Harbor Marina clean and beautiful by volunteering on the third Saturday of every month during Park Service Day. The next volunteer opportunity takes place on Saturday, July 15, from 10 am to 2 pm.