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Identity and the Wealth of ‘Home’
We have been blessed as a City and as a new Council to have the opportunity to work alongside people who are like-minded, who come to the table with resumes filled with community service. We’re all aware that we are here to serve the people who voted for us.
A City of Millionnaires
Miami Gardens is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County and the largest predominantly African-American municipality in Florida. We have a rich history and should be cognizant of how we portray our City and identify ourselves.
We stand to be a City of millionaires because of the investments our ancestors made in homeownership. If you are living in a property that your mother or grandfather paid off, it is in your best interest to keep it, take care of it and use it as an asset. We’ve got to protect the properties we have in our possession right now, so that wealth can remain in our families.
Keeping It Clean
Right now, one of our biggest challenges is litter in our community. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that our businesses, roadways, highways, and our properties are all clean. Raising the aesthetics, improving cleanliness and overall pride in our community will set us apart from other neighborhoods.
In 2021, a key area of focus for my office will be collaboration with the Keep Miami Gardens Beautiful program. Providing opportunities for residents to engage in civic activities to beautify our neighborhoods but also providing education. In addition to the City taking care of our canals, roadways and removing debris where necessary, it takes all of us working together. It’s going to take a city-wide effort to ensure that even children walking home from school will not litter; that neighbors will pick up trash from their doors and streets, and not say “that’s the City’s responsibility.”
Preparing for the Future
Two of the things that I am most proud of are my career as an educator and the success that I’ve had preparing people for the future. I want to prove that it is not where you come from, it’s who you are that can make difference. You can reach your potential if you open your eyes and become a lifelong learner. I look at Miami Gardens the same way. I’m proud of where I come from and we’ll work for everybody else to be proud of it.
Our previous Mayor, Oliver Gilbert, believed we were more than just a flea market, look at what he was able to accomplish. And, with the diverse ancestry of the people who live in Miami Gardens, our City is poised to be an incredible place to live.
I want to say to our residents: hold on to what you’ve got. Let’s clean it up, make it beautiful and shine like the noonday sun.