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The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce recently honored David Lawrence Jr., founder and board chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida and retired publisher of The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald, with the 2022 Sand In My Shoes Award presented by title sponsor Florida Blue and presenting sponsors Baptist Health and The University of Miami. The ceremony took place on Mar. 1 at the JW Marriot Marquis Miami.
The chamber’s Sand In My Shoes Award, considered among this community’s most prestigious accolades, was established in 1981 based on an editorial delivered by Ralph Renick, the late WTVJ vice president and news director. The award is presented to outstanding community leaders who have made significant contributions to the region, demonstrating a deep love and commitment to Miami as the best possible place in which to live, work and play.
“David’s contributions, commitment and dedication to making Miami-Dade County a national leader in early childhood education, healthcare, and literacy is what makes him a distinguished honoree for this award,” said Alfred Sanchez, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to be recognizing one of Miami’s most beloved community leaders whose hard work and unwavering commitment to early childhood will continue to make an impact in our South Florida community for generations.”
David retired in 1999 as publisher of The Miami Herald to work in the area of early childhood development and readiness. He chairs The Children’s Movement of Florida, aimed at making children the state’s top priority for investment. He has served on the Governor’s Children and Youth Cabinet and twice chaired the Florida Partnership for School Readiness.
David also was instrumental in forming the Children’s Trust, an organization with dedicated funding that focuses on the broad and ongoing developmental needs of all children in our community. His herculean efforts to establish the special taxing district was so successful in meeting needs that it was permanently reauthorized by Miami-Dade votes by an unheard of 86 percent in 2008.
The Children’s Movement of Florida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan movement of Floridians insisting on a strong start for all Florida children. The organization advocates for high-quality early learning opportunities, access to children’s health care, and parent support programs in Florida.
