ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL EVENT

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday that is held annually on the third Monday of every January. We celebrate Dr. King's birthday, January 15, because of the Dr. King’s life and achievement. His leadership was fundamental in the success civil rights movement.

The celebration of Dr. King's birthday is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans.

As Coretta Scott King (widow of Dr. King) said,  “[MLK, Jr. Day].. is a day of interracial and intercultural cooperation and sharing. No other day of the year brings so many peoples from different cultural backgrounds together in such a vibrant spirit of brother and sisterhood. Whether you are African-American, Hispanic or Native American, whether you are Caucasian or Asian-American, you are part of the great dream Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had for America. This is not a black holiday; it is a peoples’ holiday. And it is the young people of all races and religions who hold the keys to the fulfillment of his dream.” 

For the City of Miami Beach, the created of a citywide celebration or commemoration of the essence of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. mission and vision is germane as the country collectively reflects on the meaning of justice, equality and community engagement.

CREATION OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

The ability to advocate more meaningfully for African American interests in the management and administration of City of Miami Beach is important to the growth of the City. The input of diverse voices and opinions by specific City stakeholders is what makes Miami Beach special. We invest in the collective and individual contributions from diverse groups such as the Hispanic Affairs Committee, LGBTQ Advisory Committee, Commission for Women, Next Generation Council, Senior Affairs and the Youth Commission because their interests and contributions matter to the success, health and wealthy of our community.

Accordingly, with the first commemoration of Juneteenth this June 2020, it is an auspices time for the City of Miami Beach to create an African American Affairs Committee. By creating and providing a safe space where the African American community can explore their concerns on how the city can leverage and incorporate those ideas and efforts to improve the quality of life of our residents, businesses, visitors and more.

ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL EVENT

To celebrate and commemorate the Dr. King's birthday in Miami Beach, the Administration would like to explore creating meaningful, memorable....and potentially legacy programs that can embrace and embed Dr. King's spirit and message to commit and advance civil rights, nonviolence, and justice for all.

Potential programs could include, but not be limited to:

1. Volunteerism/Service
2. Cultural Engagement
3. Educational Engagement
4. Community Dialogue

CREATION OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

The Administration recommends appointing a seven (7) member committee appointed by each Commission member. These appointees would serve as official liaisons between the Miami Beach African American residents and businesses and the City Commission with the support of the Administration. The appointees would advise on how the City can create cultural and community connections by working to preserve, present, and maintain cultural history and advocate for educational, social and economic equity with the understanding that service is to focus on cultures representing Blacks/African Americans and all individuals within the African Diaspora in the City of Miami Beach.