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The Village of Palmetto Bay conducted a special ceremony on June 11 to honor the memory of village resident Albert E. Dotson Sr., by co-designating a portion of SW 78th Avenue between 168th and 184th streets as “Albert E. Dotson Sr. Way.”
Attending the event were members of the Dotson family, Village Mayor Karyn Cunningham and other members of the council and staff, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, pastor emeritus Rev. Dr. Walter T. Richardson, Nelson Bellido of the Miami-Dade County Fair & Expo, Ray Barreto of the Salvation Army, and a large crowd of guests who all knew Mr. Dotson personally.
The late Albert E. Dotson Sr. was a philanthropist, entrepreneur and family man. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a revered businessman, and a passionate member of the South Florida community.
Albert E. Dotson Sr. was the first Black assistant store manager for Sears Roebuck and Company in Detroit, MI. He eventually became the first Black store manager in the company’s history. Three decades later, he and his wife became entrepreneurs and launched several businesses of their own across various industries.
Dotson focused much of his civic service on advancing higher education in the South Florida community. He was appointed by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to join the Florida International University Board of Trustees and served as board chair from 2009 to 2011. He was instrumental in the founding of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine as well as the FIU College of Law. In 2018, the university’s International Pavilion was renamed the Earlene and Albert Dotson Pavilion in honor of his legacy.
The unveiling of the street sign took place at the intersection of SW 78th Avenue and 179th Terrace.
His oldest son, Albert E. Dotson Jr., remembers the impact his father had on their lives and others.
“Legacy often focuses on how someone is remembered or whether the baton that someone passed forward continues to advance,” Dotson Jr. said. “Seldom is there a focus on legacy in the making. Albert E. Dotson Sr. involved his family in his work and his focus on community. In addition to supporting his philanthropic efforts and developing our own, in which he participated too, his lifelong commitment to giving continues through our various interests and in many organizations to which he dedicated his time. He launched generational community service within our family and empowered us to make a difference in our own ways. That’s legacy.”
His oldest daughter, Toya Dotson Greene, explained how her father inspired her.
“I remember asking Daddy after he finished his degree, why he chose to do it at this point in his life,” she said. “His answer brought tears to my eyes. He replied, ‘I did it for The 13! I want them to know you’re never too old to learn more and that they can achieve anything if they focus and do the work to make it happen.’ He was always being the difference.”
Youngest son Jonathan L. Dotson hopes that everyone will remember about their family.
“We are humble servants in every facet of our lives,” Jonathon said. “We understand that we are here to serve, respect and love on each other along the community. As my father, Albert, and mother, Earlene, have instilled in us from our humble beginnings — to whom much is given, much is required which is biblical principle. Also as a part of our rearing, our parents made sure that we lived this quote by Shirley Chisholm: ‘Service to others is the rent you pay for room here on earth.’”
Youngest daughter Christa Dotson Dean expressed her feelings about Palmetto Bay honoring him in this way.
“I am extremely humbled that the village thought enough of the work that our father has done, not only in the village, but the global work that he has done in Miami-Dade County, the state and throughout this country. This street co-designation opportunity is one that cements his legacy for generations to come.
“When seeing the unveiling of Albert E. Dotson Sr. Way, I was emotional yet overjoyed that although he is no longer physically with us that everyone who drives this road will hopefully remember the man, the impact and the love he had for people and community. Thank you to Mayor Karyn Cunningham, the village council and Village of Palmetto Bay residents for honoring him this way.”
