Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee renames South Dade Skills Center to honor Cipriano and Maria Garza’s legacy of community service, education, and social equity in Miami-Dade County

 
(Photos provided by: District 9/Miami-Dade County)

MIAMI-DADE – Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee has officially renamed the South Dade Skills Center, located at 28300 SW 152nd Avenue, as the Cipriano and Maria Garza Skills Center, in recognition of Cipriano and Maria Garza’s lifelong dedication to education, social equity, and family values. This renaming celebrates their tireless advocacy for the migrant farmworker community, their transformative work in educational access, and their unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for all.

Maria Garza, a former migrant farmworker, began her journey in advocacy by leading a labor strike at the age of 18 to fight for fair wages. She later founded the Mexican American Council (MAC), a nonprofit dedicated to providing farmworker children with quality education, access to the arts, and pathways to a brighter future. Through MAC’s College and Career Readiness Program, students can engage in dual-enrollment, internships, and receive scholarships, setting them on the path to success. Maria also founded the Homestead-Miami Mariachi Conservatory to preserve Mexican cultural traditions for future generations. Her advocacy has garnered her numerous awards, including the prestigious Ohtli Award, and she continues to be a guiding force for social equity in the community.

Cipriano Garza, also a former migrant farmworker, has been a relentless advocate for educational equity as the longtime Director of the Migrant Education Program for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. For over four decades, Cipriano has developed programs that uplift migrant families and improve educational opportunities for their children. His efforts extend beyond education, as he founded the Everglades Community Association to provide essential housing and resources to farmworker families. Cipriano’s commitment to family, community service, and social equity has been celebrated nationwide, including an invitation to the White House as the Hispanic Family of the Year. “Cipriano and Maria Garza have been pillars of our community, embodying the values of education, social equity, and family,” said Commissioner McGhee. “By renaming the center in their honor, we celebrate their legacy and ensure their impact will inspire generations to come.”

The Cipriano and Maria Garza Skills Center will stand as a lasting tribute to the Garzas’ extraordinary contributions to South Florida and as a beacon of opportunity, resilience, and unity for all who enter its doors.

For more information, please contact the Office of Commissioner Kionne McGhee at [email protected].