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A few weeks ago, I went for a jog around South Beach. I ran up past Ocean Drive, onto the 23rd street wooden boardwalk and looped around rollerbladers along Collins Avenue. I was plugged into my distance tracking app to keep tabs on mileage. But that also meant I was tuned out of my surroundings. Later this year, mile-marker signs … Read More

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) represents the most sweeping changes to the Internal Revenue Tax Code in more than 30 years. The new law provides opportunities for professional advisors to discuss philanthropy strategies with clients who are considering corporate and individual tax reductions, which generally have reduced the monetary benefit of charitable contributions. Charitable giving will remain a key component of taxpayers’ financial plans and they will want a way to leverage the knowledge of their professional advisors to help them plan gifts for maximum impact.

When I reflect on all the recent events that have transpired in our communities, our schools, and our world, I think about the environments and the culture in which we live, learn, work and play. I believe that we should, strategically, think about all the places where we can become more effective in changing cultures: in homes, schools and community-based organizations. We need to institute cultures where we can foster and measure connectedness, where we build caring attitudes, positive behaviors, mutual respect, acceptance and empathy for others into the standards of how we operate.

As a second-generation Miamian, born in Coconut Grove to a family of “givers,” I learned the importance of helping a community thrive. My grandmother, Areta Kaufman, who moved here from Ohio at a young age, was well-known in Miami social circles for serving on the boards of numerous organizations, such as Miami City Ballet and Project HOPE, and owning “Gallery Areta” on Miami Beach. She inspired me to not only get involved in local organizations, but also act as a driving force of change in the community at large. Starting the 100+ Women Who Care, Miami-Dade Chapter (100WWC) was my way of doing that.

I am a woman. I am an immigrant. I am Hispanic … born and raised in Mexico. I am a proud mother of two and, for the past 10 years, an entrepreneur. All of these titles together would make my success story a statistical anomaly for any woman in 2018.

It took me seven years to receive a paycheck from my business, Half Moon Empanadas. More than 10 banks declined to finance our outpost at Miami International Airport. After a couple of evictions and the word “no” became a constant. I responded the only way I knew how: I worked hard, I dreamed high and I never hesitated to ask for what I needed. I reached out and found some doors that opened. I am pleased to say that Half Moon now has 10 locations in South Florida and, in 2017, our airport location was the best seller per square foot. More importantly, we offer employment to more than 50 people, 70 percent of whom are women.

Editor’s note: This op-ed by Foundation President and CEO Javier Alberto Soto originally ran in the Miami Herald on March 2, 2018, celebrating the close of the Foundation’s 50th anniversary year. “It may seem strange to you, but it is the dream of my life to see this wilderness turned into a prosperous country.” Julia Tuttle spoke those words as she … Read More

Keith T. Ward is founder of Quality Management North America, Inc. a real-estate investment and management firm. Today, he serves as chair of Our Kids, a nonprofit that creates safe havens for Miami-Dade’s and Monroe County’s children through foster care and adoptions, and dedicates his philanthropy to creating opportunities for youth in the neighborhoods where he grew up. He shared … Read More

I first heard of LEAP while incarcerated at Hernando Correctional Institution. They came to recruit new people for their program, and though I wasn’t selected at first, that didn’t stop me. I went straight to the higher-ups and to the assistant warden to get a reason. This warden didn’t tolerate inmates approaching her, but I had to get her to understand that I needed this program.

I made my pitch, and I got on the LEAP transfer list. In fact, I was the only person from Hernando that was chosen for the program. I transferred to Homestead Correctional Institution where the LEAP program is held. On my first day, I met our main teacher, Ms. Johnson. She instilled in us a sense of belonging, trust and family. My favorite course was “Thinking for a Change,” which taught us to think before reacting in difficult situations, and that we shouldn’t let our past define us. Thanks to her, we came to see ourselves as people rather than the number assigned to us by the prison. We were human beings.

I’ve lived in Miami for almost 25 years, and it wasn’t until I found a sense of community that I discovered not only myself but also my city.

When I characterize people as strong, I typically think of their character or physicality. Bold and steadfast or muscular and powerful, I contemplate feats that separate these champions from the daily actions of typical folk – wake, rise, eat, work, sleep and repeat. As a child, my champions were people I read about, heard about or saw on television. From … Read More