The Administration recommends review of the Convention Center Advisory Board motion and seeks the City Commission's direction on the waiver request.

BACKGROUND

The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project will host its 26^th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Scholarship Breakfast in the Miami Beach Convention Center ("MBCC") on Monday, January 21, 2019. The fundraising event and celebration brings together members of South Florida’s diverse community to commemorate the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as to demonstrate community-wide support of the mentoring program.

50 young men will be honored for their hard work and dedication – each one of them will be presented with their 5000 Role Models of Excellence medal by their mentors and presented to a room full of more than 2,000 people.

The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project was founded in 1993 by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, a former teacher, principal, Miami-Dade School Board member and state legislator. 5000 Role Models of Excellence was created to boost the self–image, social skills and academic performance of selected young minority boys and men, in part, by motivating them to interact with successful men in the community. The in-house dropout prevention program serves young men ages 9 to 19 in 89 schools in Miami-Dade County, many of whom come from fatherless homes.

Students are exposed to the opportunity of college attendance or other post-secondary curriculums. Eligible students are also provided with employment throughout high school, with mentors to coach them along the way. One example of the support provided by the program is the annual “Take A Role Model Apprentice to Work Day.” This career preparation activity gives students an opportunity to share a day with mentors learning about various careers and professions, including law enforcement, public administration, medicine, business and education. 

Since it’s founding, over $5 million in scholarships have been awarded to students successfully completing the program. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project hopes to widen its reach throughout the state of Florida, and become a national effort as it continues raising young boys into men. 

The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Scholarship Breakfast has been held in Jungle Island for the past few years. Due to ongoing construction in Jungle Island, organizers will hold the event  in MBCC Ballroom and have requested a rental waiver of $22,500 for the use. The total cost of the event is $100,000.

The organization has satisfied the  application guidelines for rental discount or waiver consideration by:

1.  currently a qualified 501(c)3;
2.  the 2000 attendees cannot be accommodated in a local Miami Beach hotel or conference venue;
3.  the event dos not conflict with the booking of full paying clients or events;
4.  the event serves a public benefit;
5.  the event has provided financial information; and
6.  the event is a countywide special event and serves the residents of Miami Beach.

The Convention Center Advisory Board (CCAB), on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, reviewed the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project application and supporting documents for waiver of MBCC rental fees and motioned to abstain any action on the request as it did not fulfill the requirement for the waiver application procedure (provide a CPA prepared Compilation, Review or Audited financial statement for the same period as the Form 990.) .