The newly established Miami Forever Fund will be a permanent endowment, allowing passionate Miamians to provide tactical resources for innovation and solutions to the known challenges of today and those of tomorrow we can’t yet foresee. Miami Fellows alum Marika Lynch and husband Adrian Villaraos were among the first donors to the fund. We asked Marika why she chose to live … Read More
June News – How Can We Build a More Inclusive Miami?
Xavier de Souza Briggs’ personal experience growing up in Miami led him to take on social justice with the Ford Foundation. At our 50th anniversary Opportunity breakfast, 200 local changemakers listened as he shared how philanthropy and nonprofits can create a more just and inclusive Greater Miami. Read more>> Also in this newsletter: It’s time to make education access a … Read More
We Should Make Education Access a Priority for Greater Miami
Miami is at an inflection point.
With more than 5.8 million residents and an economic output of more than $300 billion, our regional economy is one of the largest in the world. We now number among the world’s 25 most important cities. We have diversified our economy and become more creative and idea-based. But our region is also suffering from the same divides that are vexing other big cities around the world.
The gap between rich and poor has widened and the ability of residents to achieve the American Dream has declined. As highlighted in the Our Miami Report, access to quality education is critical for preparing our children and young adults to be successful contributors to society and, in turn, is integral for our region’s prosperity and growth.
How Can We Build a More Inclusive Miami? Ford Foundation Offers Solutions
Xavier de Souza Briggs grew up the child of a single mom, with Brazilian, European and Bahamian heritage. He moved to Miami at a young age and landed among the Cuban-American community at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. Xavier and his mother lived in a modest apartment, just a few blocks from a public library – a place that opened the world to him. The academically rigorous, values-based education he received at Belen, where a commitment to service was implicit, led him ultimately to faculty positions at MIT and to serve in the Obama administration, before joining Ford Foundation as vice president of economic opportunity and markets. Briggs would go on to become part of a momentous change at the foundation, which, two years ago, announced it would devote all of its grantmaking to combating inequality and recently pledged to divert $1 billion of its endowment to mission-related investments.
GRANT PROGRAM HELPS MIAMI NONPROFIT LEADERS DEVELOP
Editor’s note: Dr. Sabrina Tassy-Lewis is executive director of St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center. The nonprofit has provided early childhood education services to children and families in the Coconut Grove and South Miami communities since 1949. It was among The Miami Foundation’s first grantees and a recipient of our 50th anniversary “Legacy” Signature Grants. Sabrina completed an executive leadership program … Read More
MAY NEWS – TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY SHARES HIS MIAMI STORY
Tarell is a native son of the city we all love. The award-winning playwright shared his Miami story with us: the journey from stage to screen, the “spirit of generosity” that got him there and coming home to make sure students today have the same opportunities he had. Read more Also in this newsletter: Meet the 50 individuals leading our … Read More
TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY: HOW HE GOT FROM MIAMI TO “MOONLIGHT”
Tarell Alvin McCraney is a native son of Miami. He’s an artist, a creator and an advocate for the city we all love. The award-winning playwright shared his Miami story with us: the journey from stage to screen, the “spirit of generosity” that got him there and coming home to make sure students today have the same opportunities he did.
HISTORYMIAMI MUSEUM AND THE MIAMI FOUNDATION PARTNER TO COLLECT MIAMI STORIES
HistoryMiami Museum, the premier cultural institution committed to gathering, organizing, preserving and celebrating Miami’s history, has partnered with The Miami Foundation with the shared mission to continue preserving the legacy of Miamians. In honor of its 50th anniversary, The Miami Foundation has invited the entire community to share how they got here, why they live here and what they value … Read More
APRIL NEWS – ANNOUNCING THE 2017 RUTH SHACK AWARD HONOREE
Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, founder and CEO of Radical Partners, will receive the 2017 Ruth Shack Leadership Award. A Miami Fellows Class VI alum, she has led community movements for education, social entrepreneurship, transit solutions and more. The award recognizes an under-40 leader with strong ethics, dedication and service to Greater Miami, qualities embodied by Shack, our president emeritus. Rebecca will … Read More
“I AM AT PEACE KNOWING MY LEGACY WILL OUTLIVE ME AND HELP OTHERS FOREVER”
It started with a question while I was on the way to the airport last summer. Just before I was about to board an airplane my father asked, “Do you have a will?” I looked at him and said, “Why are you asking me this NOW when I am about to get on a plane?” He reminded me that I … Read More