MIAMI – The Lyric Theater in historic Overtown served because the backdrop as The South Florida Individuals of Coloration (SFPoC) commemorated its 10th anniversary with a vibrant and deeply shifting celebration. Themed “We All Matter,” the night honored a decade of transformative work in fairness, inclusion, and cultural training. This effort was led by visionary Roni Bennett, the group’s founder.
The reception was greater than a milestone. It mirrored SFPoC’s mission to construct bridges throughout communities via storytelling, historical past, and sincere dialogue. Attendees have been buzzing with reward and gratitude from the reception.
South Florida Individuals of Coloration tenth Anniversary Honorees
The occasion honored three distinguished leaders whose work exemplifies the values of justice, creativity, and group transformation.
- Dr. Mike Allen, President of Barry College, was “acknowledged for his visionary management in increased training and his dedication to fairness and social mobility.”
- Chana Budgazad Sheldon, Government Director of MOCA North Miami, was “honored for reworking MOCA right into a dynamic hub for arts and group engagement.”
- State Senator Shevrin “Shev” Jones accepted the Political Management Award and reminded everybody in his message: “Energy lives in what we do collectively.”
The night started with a symbolic icebreaker titled “We All Matter: Neighborhood Weave.” Throughout this exercise, friends handed strands of yarn to 1 one other, representing values of belonging, therapeutic, justice, solidarity, and mutual help. The consequence was a dwelling tapestry of connection and shared function.
Renee O’Connor, an occasion attendee, described the second with heartfelt readability: “Holding a single strand of yarn and figuring out it was a part of one thing greater… justice sounded totally different for every voice, however collectively, we wove a tapestry of hope, desires, and connection. Justice is rarely a solo act however a weaving collectively of many voices.”
SFPoC Fouder: Roni Bennett
Based by Roni Bennett, a proud Jamaican-American, SFPoC has turn out to be a beacon for inclusive training and cultural dialogue in South Florida. Bennett’s Caribbean heritage has deeply influenced the group’s method to group constructing. This affect is particularly vital in an space recognized for its Caribbean affect.
Over the previous decade, SFPoC has launched signature applications which have sparked significant conversations and created courageous areas for dialogue. The Awkward Dinner™ collection turned award-winning on the Philanthropy Miami Shark Tank competitors. It invitations individuals to interact in sincere discussions round race, id, and belonging.
Coaching for Organizations
The Unity 360 Institute gives fairness coaching for organizations, rooted in storytelling and restorative practices. The Redline Bus Excursions educate individuals on the historical past of housing discrimination in Miami. Moreover, cultural dialogues have fun Black Historical past Month, Haitian Heritage Month, Juneteenth, and extra, together with the acclaimed “Alkebulan” collection on African id.
Even through the pandemic, SFPoC’s digital programming reached audiences nationwide, from Los Angeles to New York. This proved that its message resonates far past South Florida. Bennett mirrored on the facility of those areas, noting the braveness individuals discover to talk up and share their tales. That is very true for people from numerous backgrounds, together with Jamaicans, Haitians, Africans, and African People.
The tenth Anniversary Reception was not only a celebration, it was rooted in function. For Roni Bennett and the communities she serves, the journey is much from over. “All people desires to be heard. All people desires to be listened to. And I’m most pleased with that.”
