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MDEAT celebrates Black History Month with series of educational forums
Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) celebrates Black History Month and the historical impact of Black economic empowerment in America with a series of virtual forums centered on the influence of Blacks in housing, economic development, and the justice system. The forums each align with MDEAT’s service/program areas of small business and economic development, Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP), and Miami-Dade County Teen Court. Industry professionals, teens, and the general community are invited to participate in the educational series.
“As part of a commitment to support growth in Miami-Dade’s Black communities, MDEAT’s Black History Month discussions are critical in advocating for economic justice for our community,” MDEAT Special Projects Administrator Traci Pollock explained. “Despite gains Black Americans have made in this country, glaring disparities in wealth, housing, health, criminal justice, and business reminds us that greater work is needed in order for us to achieve true economic parity.”
MDEAT Black History Month Educational Series includes four virtual forums:
Infill Properties Roundtable Discussion with Industry Professionals
Monday, February 22, 2021, from 10AM – 11:30AM
MDEAT Housing Advocacy Committee (HAC) gathers local builders, county elected officials/representatives, and various government agencies to discuss solutions to affordable homeownership. The forum will highlight ways to move forward with a collective public-private partnership goal of increasing homeownership within the most underserved communities in Miami-Dade County. The insight and knowledge gained from the discussion will allow Miami-Dade County to lay the foundation for a blueprint to accomplish its housing objectives and change the future history of a people.
RSVP by contacting HAC Chairperson James Bunyan at [email protected]
Small Business Capitalization Grant Informational Session
Tuesday, February 23, 2021, from 11AM – 2PM
MDEAT Economic Development Action Committee (EDAC) presents an informational session about applying for MDEAT Small Business Capitalization Grant. The forum also includes a discussion with partnering organizations on growing Miami-Dade County’s small business community in Targeted Urban Areas (TUAs) and Business Corridors.
RSVP at Small Business Capitalization Grant Information Session
History of Black Judges and Lawyers Impact in America
Wednesday, February 24, 2021, from 5:30PM to 7PM
Miami-Dade County Teen Court and MDEAT Youth Action Committee (YAC) present a discussion on the contributions of Black lawyers and judges in American history and across Miami-Dade County. This forum is geared towards educating the local community about the advancements made by Blacks in the field of law. Teens, legal professionals, and the general community are invited to join the virtual forum.
RSVP at Black Lawyers & Judges Throughout History - Miami & Beyond
State of Housing in Black America Throughout the Decades: Miami-Dade Edition
Thursday, February 25, 2021, from 5:30PM – 7PM
MDEAT Housing Advocacy Committee (HAC) returns to present a discussion on the history of opposition to Black homeownership in America in various forms from redlining to predatory lending practices. Guest speakers from National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will join MDEAT in the discussion. According to forum speaker and broker/historian Mark Alston, the homeownership gap is higher today than it was in 1900 with 74.5% of White families owning their homes compared to 44.1% of Black families. Forum speaker and recently elected NAACP Miami-Dade Chapter President Daniella Pierre says, “Since the beginning of time, homeownership has been recognized as a rite of passage and a means of generational wealth building. However, even prior to the pandemic, Black homeownership levels had already hit a record low. Some of the reasons as to why Black homeownership is at an all-time low are due to years of unfair housing policies, unjust laws, and discrimination.” To hear more from them and learn about the history of Black homeownership in America, join them and others for a forum moderated by HAC Chairperson James Bunyan, Broker/Owner, Millennium III Realty.