More than 300 residents turned out to groove to the jazzy tunes of "The Sweetheart of Song" Rochelle Lightfoot and hand-drummer Bobby Thomas Jr. at Music in the Park on December 2 at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex. The free semi-annual concert is sponsored by the Miami-Dade Parks Foundation, City of Miami Gardens, Councilman Rodney Harris, Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Department, Sunshine Jazz Organization, and the Office of Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan donned a Santa hat to give away toys to 180 children at Colonel Zubkoff Headstart, located in Miami Gardens, on December 21. The children giggled and grinned as they received dolls, remote control cars, games, action figures, costumes, and more. In addition to the toy drive, Commissioner Jordan's giving spirit assisted four less families from her district who received food baskets, a bike, tickets to Santa's Enchanted Forest, and a gift card for $500.

Commissioner Jordan presented a proclamation to legendary jazz musician and Miami Gardens resident Melton Mustafa during the Board of County Commissioners meeting on December 6. Mustafa, a world reowned trumpeter, composer, and arragner, is the Director of Jazz Studies at Florida Memorial University. He said one of the highlights of his career has been teaching and mentoring young people. "My platform is to spread the love of music," Mustafa said. "I pray that I'm able to use my craft to do more for young people in the community."

At the Board of County Commissioners meeting on January 24, Commissioner Jordan presented the Miami Carol City Sr. High School football team and coaching staff with a proclamation and certificates for winning the 6A State Championship. The Mighty Chiefs defeated the Lake Gibson Braves 14-6 last month. To commemorate the team's achievement, Jordan made an allocation to contribute to the purhcase of their state championship rings.

About 110 residents attended Commissioner Jordan's Mom and Pop Small Business Grant informational workshop. Leroy Jones, of Neighbors and Neighbors Association (NANA), discussed the application process and answered questions from the crowd.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan celebrated the theme "Black Excellence" at her fourth annual Black Heritage Festival. Jordan kicked off the show sporting colorful African-themed attire and dancing alongside a Caribbean-style Junkanoo band composed of drums, horns, whistles and brass instruments. Over 200 residents attended the festival, which was hosted by Commissioner Jordan and City of Miami Gardens Vice Mayor Erhabor Ighodaro on Feb. 4 at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex Amphitheatre.

Nearly 120 people were honored by Commissioner Barbara Jordan and the Miami-Dade County Foster & Adoptive Parent Association in the Miami-Dade County Commission Chamber on February 2. The Foster, Adoptive, Kinship & Independent Living Commemorative Ceremony paid homage to men and women who care for and protect those children who are in the state's system, as well as young adults transitioning from foster care to adulthood. Shamele Jenkins, President of the Miami-Dade County Foster & Adoptive Parent Association, praised the honorees and their families who were in attendance.

About 430 residents turned out on February 13 for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan's annual Valentine's Day Dance for Seniors at the gymnasium at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex in Miami Gardens. "Every year, we do this dance for seniors and they have an amazing time," Commissioner Jordan said. "It gives them an oppportunity to kick back and have some fun."

Commissioner Jordan attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 13 for the new YWCA Intergenerational Learning Center, located at 3450 NW 199th St., Miami Gardens. The center's services and amenities include a computer clubhouse, a playground, early childhood classes, after-school programs, financial-literacy instruction, community meetings and social gatherings, and more.

Commissioner Jordan received the Champions for Justice and Peace award at the Trayvon Martin Foundation's 5th Annual Remembrance Dinner on February 11. The event celebrated the life of the late Trayvon Martin and spotlighted efforts to fight gun violence in the community.

Cheryl Anderson, wife of Charles Anderson, attended the unveling of the commemorative plaque honoring the late Commission auditor at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on February 22. Commissioner Jordan sponsored the special presentation and the Board of County Commissioners adopted legislation sponsored by Jordan allowing County employees to donate accrued annual and holiday leave time up to $25,000 to the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Foundation's Charles Anderson Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will be awarded to FAMU accounting students in Anderson's honor.