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By Irvans Augustin & Tico Casamayor
When Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was elected as the first woman to serve as Mayor of Miami-Dade County, she did more than make history—she ushered in a new era of leadership grounded in equity, inclusion, and innovation. Her administration has redefined what local government can look like when communities are not only invited to participate but empowered to lead.
From day one, Mayor Levine Cava made it clear that every resident, regardless of background or zip code, deserves a seat at the decision-making table. This commitment to inclusivity laid the foundation for transformational initiatives like Strive305, a countywide program focused on fostering local entrepreneurship.
Strive305 was designed to flip traditional economic development on its head. Rather than relying on top-down models that often leave behind the most vulnerable communities, Strive305 takes a bottom-up approach—supporting small businesses, startups, and community-based entrepreneurs at every stage of growth. It’s about meeting people where they are and giving them the tools, resources, and visibility they need to succeed. That’s why the phrase “entrepreneur-led economic development” was born, and it’s now reshaping Miami-Dade’s business landscape.
A shining example of Strive305’s impact can be found in its partnership with organizations like the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF). With a mission to elevate and empower Haitian-American entrepreneurs, HACCOF has become a key partner in the County’s inclusive economic strategy. Under the passionate leadership of Executive Director Candice Mondesir and Manager of Operations Naed Jasmin Desire, HACCOF co-hosts the Strive305 Kreyol Podcast in collaboration with Community Newspapers.
The podcast is a game-changer. Hosted in Haitian Kreyol, it provides valuable insights, resources, and inspiration to entrepreneurs across the Haitian-American community—making it one of the most important platforms for emerging business leaders in South Florida. It’s informative, empowering, and deeply reflective of the culture and resilience of the Haitian diaspora.
Thanks to its growing success, the Strive305 Kreyol Podcast will now be syndicated across Island TV’s three live channels! Originally available on Community Newspapers’ YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook channels, the show will now reach an even broader audience via Island TV’s Comcast cable network and its international internet live-stream platforms.
Island TV is a dynamic multimedia company and a premier platform for Caribbean content. Its 24/7 programming—broadcast in English, French, and Haitian Kreyol—reaches thousands of viewers across Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Island TV is more than just a media outlet; it’s a cultural bridge that connects Caribbean communities and celebrates their voices, experiences, and successes.
This exciting new partnership between HACCOF, Strive305, and Island TV is a testament to what’s possible when public leadership meets grassroots innovation. These kinds of collaborations thrive under the leadership of Mayor Levine Cava, whose style of governance has earned her the nickname “Collaborator-in-Chief.” Her unwavering belief in shared success and community-driven solutions has created a playing field where everyone can win.
Through programs like Strive305 and support for diverse voices like those on the Kreyol Podcast, Mayor Levine Cava is not only growing the economy—she’s transforming it. She is building a Miami-Dade where entrepreneurs are no longer on the sidelines, but at the center of progress. That’s the power of inclusion. That’s the promise of the 305.
