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Councilwoman Shannan “Lady” Ighodaro
Remembering the Honorable Shirley Gibson
I met the honorable Mayor Shirley Gibson more than 20 years ago. She was remarkably consistent in her thoughts, ways, mannerisms, and as a community pillar. One of the things that I loved most about the late Mayor was that she always took the time to pour back into another woman. I feel Miami Gardens has lost a great leader, but when the sun sets, God is faithful, and the sun will rise again.
Community Engagement and Programs
2023 was a tremendous year for growth in Miami Gardens. We continue to blossom into a world-class City, a sports mecca, and a place where economic stability is being recognized. We are home to more than 5,000 businesses, many of them small, and they are the lifeblood of our economy.
Lady Cares is an initiative that I launched in 2023 as the umbrella to my community outreach. I assist with social service needs through partnerships with different businesses and faith-based institutions. Bunche Park, Rainbow Park, Cloverleaf Estates — these areas present some of the most critical economic needs in Miami Gardens and are where many seniors have kids who have long left home. I aim to ensure that seniors in these communities have everything they need. We also ensure that residents know what is happening in Miami Gardens through our Uni’TEA Town Hall meetings.
I continue to mentor small and women-owned businesses. I also initiated the Made in Miami Gardens Equal Opportunity Public Partnership Grant this quarter. With it, I hope to double the number of small businesses I’ve previously helped to get the technical expertise and the business support they need.
In October, I gave more than $14,000 to Crime Watch and homeowners associations to help fight crime in the Seat 3 residential area and keep Miami Gardens safe.
Holiday Initiatives
In November, I did my third annual Turkey Drive. For certain vulnerable residents, there’s still food insecurity. So, for the third year in a row, we delivered turkeys through partnerships with local businesses such as Hachi Bachi Soul Food.
In December, I will do my annual Junkanoo with Santa at Bunche Park. I’m partnering with EDGE, a local non-profit, to provide more than 500 toys to residents in Bunche Park, Rainbow Park, Cloverleaf Estates, Scott Lake, and Rolling Oaks.
2023 has been a year of growth, determination, and overcoming. I refuse to say 2023 has been a year of challenges because, to me, that would diminish what happens after the challenges. After the storm is when people say, “Look at how amazingly bright the blue skies are.” So, this holiday season, I would like to encourage our residents to be grateful for their lives, family, community, and growth.
