LTC 114-2023 Black Affairs Advisory Committee Motions - March 7, 2023M IA M I BEA C H
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
114-2023 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of Si y Commission
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March 7, 2023 /
SUBJECT: Black Affairs Advisory Committee Motions - March 7, 2023
The purpose of this letter to the Mayor and Commission is to provide an update regarding three motions
made during the March 2023 Black Affairs Advisory Committee ("BAAC") Meeting:
1. The BAAC applauds the great effort and execution of the performances by City staff but more
specifically John Rebar and Cindy Casanova of the Parks and Recreation Department for their
excellent Black History Festival at North Shore Park. We encourage the Department to continue its
support for events like Juneteenth Food & Wine Festival and the Soul Vegan Food Festival.
2. The BAAC categorically condemns the Governor's abhorrent policy claim that a College Board AP
African American History course has no educational value, and reminds the Governor that in
November 2022, a Federal Court blocked the unconstitutional Stop W.O.K.E. Act (HS 7) from being
enforced in higher education. We encourage the Administration to continue to support the use of the
School Board approved #MBHistory curriculum within our school feeder pattern, which highlights the
historical contributions of the Jewish, Hispanic, LGBTQ, and Black communities to the development
of Miami Beach.
3. Based on the excessive cost, and the context of the present environment, where heightened racial
tensions exist as a result of the recent murder of Tyre Nichols by Memphis Police in addition to
abhorrent policies enacted by Ron Desantis targeting the Black Community, the BAAC does not
support the use of Mounted Police during high impact periods as an effective policing tool.
The motions were made by Bibi Andrade and seconded by Melba Pearson. The motions passed
unanimously.
Members in attendance: Glendon Hall (Chair), Bibi Andrade, Troy E. Wright, Melba Pearson, Brian
Keane, Bill Warren, and Henry William.
Guest in attendance: Melissa Berthier, City of Miami Beach Communications Director, and Matt Kenny,
Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications.
For more information, please contact Lissette Garcia Arrogante at lissettearrogante@miamibeachfl.gov
or x26597.
cc: REG/LGA t