MIAMI, FL – Zoo Miami Foundation announced today that it has appointed José C. Romano as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective on April 3, 2023, following an extensive national search led by Canopy Strategic Partners.  José joins Zoo Miami and Zoo Miami Foundation at a time of great success with more than one million annual visitors and future growth with the incoming construction of the new Animal Hospital, a new Sumatran tiger exhibit, a new giraffe feeding platform and much more.

Recently, at a program, organized by Nayana Hein and hosted by the Sri Chinmoy Centre at its Headquarters in Queens, New York, Dr. Martin Luther King’s spirit of brotherhood, his life and his ongoing legacy were honored in a performance featuring a new arrangement of the “I Have a Dream” song. The program was presented by a diverse group of Sri Chinmoy’s students from various parts of the globe, such as, the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico); Africa, South East Asia; Europe; and, of course, the USA. This group was representative of Dr. King’s dream of unity and equality for all.

FORT DE FRANCE, MARTINIQUE – The Museums Association of the Caribbean (MAC) has partnered with the National Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB), Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBB), the Antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation (AAMC), and the University of the Bahamas (UB) to host the 32nd Annual MAC Conference in Nassau, Bahamas. This is the first time the conference will be hosted in The Bahamas in the history of MAC. The Bahamas' diverse cultural landscape and variety of artistic and cultural offerings make it an ideal location for the 2023 conference. In addition, Nassau has a great variety of heritage museums, historical sites, and art museums and galleries, making it a fitting and relevant backdrop for the conference's discussions this year. Register for the conference at https://form.jotform.com/220603846917055.

The leading cause of injury death among young children in Florida is drowning, a tragic reality that swimming lessons can help prevent. For this reason, Miami-Dade County Public Schools offers swimming lessons during the school day in communities where access to pools is limited and the numbers of drowning deaths for young children is high.

BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Port Everglades was awarded a $32 million grant this week to mitigate environmental threats from flooding and sea level rise and ensure continued access for marine vessels. This grant is part of more than $275 million for resilience projects issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Miami, Fla. – People throughout Miami-Dade County will kick off 2023 making New Year’s resolutions, with taking positive steps to a healthier lifestyle being among the most popular goals. For many, this includes a resolution to quit tobacco this year. Tobacco Free Florida in Miami-Dade County marks this “Quit Season” with updates on the progress promoting cessation, tips on increasing the likelihood a quit journey succeeds, and reminders of the “Quit Your Way” options available for free throughout Miami-Dade and across the state.

Ten Miami-based changemakers were honored at the inaugural 2023 Black Achievers Award presented by Jack Daniel's for their outstanding work in their respective fields. The award ceremony and mixer were created to recognize and celebrate South Florida's Black professionals, community organizers, and activists who have made significant contributions to the South Florida community. Jack Daniels partnered with local Black-owned women's businesses to curate and produce the award's presentation that closed out Black History month at the Historic Hampton House in Miami. Honorees included: Isiah "Zaybo" Thomas(Co-founder-Roots Collective), Whenda "Wanda" Tima(Founder L'Union Suite), Stichiz(103.5 The Beat Radio Personality), Dr. Geden Franck(Sports Medicine Physician-Memorial Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine), Michaeljohn Green(Deputy Director of Economic Development-Miami-Dade County), Barbara Jaques(Founder JACQ'S Skincare), Ashley Gantt, Esq,(Florida State Representative), Chanel T. Rowe, Esq. (Founding & Managing Partner at Uriel Law),Daniel Agnew(Co-founder-Roots Collective ), and James "Munch" Mungin(Roots Collective).

North Miami, FL – In the midst of enthusiastic senior citizens and other eager on-lookers, North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme announced on February 6, 2023, the launch of a free tablet and internet service program for 20K households in the City of North Miami. As the first municipality in the state of Florida to provide such a program, the City of North Miami is helping to connect thousands of residents through a program of Mayor Desulme’s new NoMi City Smart Initiative in partnership with Moolah Wireless, a provider of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). 

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – In honor of Black History Month, History Fort Lauderdale, celebrating 60 years of stewardship of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, will present “Reflections of Society,” a fine art exhibit featuring works for show and sale from Dillard Center for the Arts’ Advanced Placement (AP) students and instructors, from February 5 – 28.

MIAMI, FL - In response to historical racial homeownership disparities, the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), an agency working to improve the economic development of Miami-Dade County’s Black community, will produce a Housing Hub with sponsorship from Bank of America. More than 60,000 people are expected to attend the Jazz in the Gardens 2023 Music Festival on March 11 and 12 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Habitat for Humanity of Broward’s homeownership program applications to open for new two-story townhomes in Fort Lauderdale and Coral Springs beginning on Wednesday, February 15, via www.habitatbroward.org. The application deadline is Friday, March 31. Qualified prospective homeowners do not want to miss this limited opportunity.

BROOKLYN, NY – Last week, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Council Member Alexa Avilés teamed up with the National Supermarket Association to bring the ‘Three Kings Day’ celebration to 400 first, second, and third graders at P.S. 1 ‘The Bergen’ in Sunset Park. After opening remarks from P.S. 1 Principal Wanda Lopez-Ramirez and a performance of “Oh Moon” by the elementary school’s choir, Borough President Reynoso, Council Member Avilés, and National Supermarket Association Board Member Ivan Bueno shared the significance of ‘Three Kings Day,’ celebrating cultural traditions, and giving back to their communities. Elementary schoolers in first, second, and third grade at the school received a gift, ranging from Easy-Bake Ovens to soccer balls, action figures, and game sets like Checkers.