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For Sonless Martin, the future is big.
He has both Bahamian and Haitian parents, two communities that have contributed greatly to the growth of Miami-Dade County, both culturally and through community. His heritage fuels his community life, allowing him to tap into the needs of those who are greatest in need and focus on seminal issues like housing affordability.
Now, he is getting his chance to contribute to the conversation about housing affordability in a new way. Leadership Florida chose Sonless for its 2023-2024 Connect Class, giving him the chance to pursue one of his primary passions – housing affordability. The Connect Class Program organizes four sessions over a nine-month period in different locations throughout Florida, with each session focusing on key issues and opportunities specific to Florida while intertwining leadership skills and development.
“This is a big issue for me that I am pursuing in collaboration with all of the resources of the organization,” he said. “I am honored I get the chance to contribute to a better housing situation in Miami, where I live.”
He was also selected to the President’s Council at Florida International University, to help communicate the university’s message in a concerted and consistent way.
Sonless is also involved with the US Global Leadership Coalition’s Next Gen Global Leaders Network (USGLC), serving on its state advisory committee. The USGLC works in Washington D.C. and throughout the country to engage local leaders on pivotal issues.
Sonless knows the levers of local power well. For nine years, he worked in local government, as an aide and senior advisor to former Miami-Dade Commissioner Xavier Suarez.
He is also a Trustee of the University of the Bahamas and is a lifetime contributor to the Beacon School in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, a special needs school that prepares students for life after school. It offers vocational training in addition to core academics.
For Sonless, giving to the community is all in a day’s work and is key to improving everyone’s quality of life.
“This is what I want my life to be about,” he said.
