Rebecca Fishman Lipsey is founder of Radical Partners. She is a Miami Fellows Class VI alum and the 2017 Ruth Shack Leadership Award honoree, and serves on the Florida State Board of Education. She shared how her Fellows experience shaped her Miami story, and the opportunities she seeks to help create in the city we all love. When I moved … Read More
MIAMI FELLOWS: “IF YOU HAVE A DEEP LOVE FOR THE 305, APPLY”
As The Miami Foundation gears up for the next Miami Fellows class, I can’t help but chuckle at the stream of memories from my circa-2016 vantage point. At the time, I was filled with doubt about applying: what if the program wasn’t right for me? What if I didn’t make the cut? What if I became too overwhelmed with work to give it my all? Now, having just completed the program, I’m quick to share the application link and chat with anyone that’s interested. My mantra: “If you have a deep love for the 305, apply.”
HOW ONE CHALLENGE WINNER CREATED MIAMI’S FIRST ROVING, OPEN MIC
CULTRA, a light-hearted jab at everyone’s favorite downtown Miami electronic music festival, came about in collaboration with Emerge Miami, a group of young Miamians dedicated to empowering citizen-led projects. Our goal was to bring new audiences to our world-class green spaces on the bay and, in doing so, provide a platform for local artists while demonstrating a non-traditional use of the parks. These big, beautiful green spaces beg for activity and not just frisbee tossing and soccer games. They are downtown Miami’s front yard – our front yard – and full of potential. From January to May, CULTRA brought a roving, outdoor open mic to a different park on the third-Thursday of each month. Dozens of local musicians, spoken word artists, acrobats, theatrical groups and comedians performed during the series run.
RUTH SHACK: WHY WE NEED THE MIAMI FELLOWS
It only took Ruth Shack and her husband, Richard, one week to fall in love with the magic of Miami. While honeymooning in Miami Beach, they knew their planned two-week vacation had led them to the spot where they would start their lives together. Six decades later, Ruth’s legacy continues to reverberate.
“QUICK-BUILD” PROGRAM TO CREATE BETTER STREETS
Anyone who’s driven in Miami knows that the transit woes run deep. Currently, more than half of those who drive to work, for example, spend at least 30 minutes commuting, which is higher than the U.S. average and comparable metros like San Diego and Houston. Fortunately, projects, such as the county’s S.M.A.R.T. Plan, are underway to make transportation alternatives more accessible. Large scale projects likes these, however, can take years and immense resources to make happen.
Immigrant, Miami Fellow, Civic Leader: My Story
My Miami story is that of a young kid from Kingston, Jamaica who tries to find his way, understand a new culture, and eventually settle in to find a purpose. It is one about assimilating, acclimating and integrating into the new community –and making a contribution that is exponential.
After returning to Miami from law school at Florida State University, I knew that I wanted to continue working with students of immigrant descent, especially those from the Caribbean. I was looking for ways to get more deeply connected with the community, and I heard about an emerging leadership program called the Miami Fellows at The Miami Foundation.
“Why I’ll Live in Miami Forever”
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
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.
COMMUNITY GRANTS DRIVE 50 YEARS OF NONPROFIT INNOVATION
At The Miami Foundation, and specifically in my role, we get a bird’s eye view of the hundreds of nonprofits on the ground every day, making sure everyone who lives here as access to resources they need to thrive. This helps shape a unique perspective of how each nonprofit serves as a vital piece of a greater puzzle. It allows us to see what’s working, where opportunities for improvement exist and how people are coming together to make this work happen.
CHALLENGE FINALISTS WANT TO UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF MIAMI’S PARKS
For Coleman public housing residents Annie St. Juste and Lanston Williams, the street is the key public space in front of their homes in Liberty City. Neighborhood kids play outside, walk home from nearby Charles Drew Elementary and take advantage of the outdoor basketball courts and playground. Then at night, everything goes pitch black and it becomes unsafe. Annie and Lanston propose that simply adding streetlights will unlock their neighborhood’s front porch as a safe, accessible community gathering place into the early evening and night.