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Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava is making bold moves to ensure that its economy works for everyone—and at the heart of this effort is the Strive305 Ambassador Program, a key component of the Mayor’s broader strategy to build a 305 economy that is accessible, resilient, and opportunity-rich for all residents.
Launched as part of the countywide Strive305 initiative, the ambassador program empowers local leaders, entrepreneurs, and small business advocates to serve as trusted guides for others navigating the path of business ownership. These ambassadors are more than mentors—they’re community champions dedicated to expanding access to resources, removing barriers, and helping small businesses grow and thrive.
The Strive305 Ambassador Program takes a hyperlocal, grassroots approach. Ambassadors live and work in the communities they serve, allowing them to tailor support to the specific needs and challenges faced by entrepreneurs in different neighborhoods. Whether it’s navigating permits, applying for grants, or connecting with technical assistance programs, ambassadors serve as on-the-ground experts and trusted partners.
This approach is helping to close long-standing gaps in access to capital, knowledge, and support—particularly in historically underserved communities. By bringing resources directly into neighborhoods and creating a culture of peer-to-peer support, the ambassador program is unlocking economic potential in every corner of Miami-Dade.
Ambassadors lead workshops, networking events, and one-on-one coaching sessions, creating a powerful pipeline of support for early-stage and growing businesses alike. Their work fosters not just individual success stories, but stronger, more connected communities with thriving local economies.
Beyond individual business support, the Strive305 Ambassador Program plays a critical role in building a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. By empowering local leaders to share their knowledge and open doors for others, the program ensures that more residents—regardless of background or ZIP code—have a real shot at economic mobility through business ownership.
This effort also strengthens collaboration across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Ambassadors regularly engage with local chambers of commerce, technical assistance providers, and educational institutions, creating a networked support system that maximizes impact and minimizes duplication. That collaboration is a cornerstone of the 305 economy vision: one that is accesible, connected, and designed to lift everyone.
For the ambassadors themselves, the program offers valuable opportunities for personal and professional development. Many report expanding their networks, gaining leadership experience, and amplifying their voices as small business advocates. Their increased visibility and credibility position them as key stakeholders in shaping the future of Miami-Dade’s economy.
As the Strive305 Ambassador Program continues to grow, so does its impact. With a growing number of ambassadors active across the county, the program is helping build a new model for community-led economic development—one that recognizes the power of local leadership and the importance of equity in entrepreneurship.
In Miami-Dade, building a 305 economy that works for everyone means investing in people, partnerships, and place-based strategies. The Strive305 Ambassador Program is a shining example of that vision in action—one where small businesses thrive, communities rise, and everyone has a chance to succeed.
