A celebration of food, an expression of ancestral tradition, stories that travel from pot to page

a collaboration with South Beach Wine & Food Festival

LATEST NEWS

Garrie Harris

WEDNESDAY

Where are they now?

By Llerraj Esuod

Twenty-five years ago, Garrie Harris shattered barriers as Dade Savings and Loan’s (now Chase Bank) first Black female branch manager and vice president. Today, as CEO of Alpha1 Staffing, a woman-owned firm established in 2009, she has built a nationally recognized, award-winning powerhouse. Under her leadership, the firm manages multi-million-dollar healthcare and disaster relief contracts, connecting thousands to jobs. During COVID-19, Alpha1 employed 10,000 workers statewide for emergency response

As an entrepreneur, Harris embodies resilience and vision. A Bethune-Cookman University alum and former trustee, she has raised over $115,000 for scholarships, directly impacting the lives of many students. Harris also actively supports minority businesses through the Broward Black Chamber, asserting, “I measure my success by my achievements, the communities I uplift, and the doors I open for others.”

Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month Spotlight: M. Athalie Range – A Trailblazer for Justice in Miami

This Black History Month, we honor M. Athalie Range, a powerhouse activist, businesswoman, and the first Black woman to serve on the Miami City Commission. Her fearless leadership and commitment to civil rights reshaped Miami, breaking barriers for Black voices in government.

Range fought for better housing, improved schools, and racial equality, becoming a champion for Black Miamians. She later made history again as the first Black person to lead a Florida state agency, paving the way for future generations.

Her legacy is a reminder that real change happens when we stand up, speak out, and push forward. Miami is better because of her work, and her impact still resonates today.

Welcome

Publisher's Note

As we join the nation in celebrating Black History Month, M•I•A Media Group is proud to make history of our own. We are excited to announce the permanent transition of our print publications, Legacy Miami and Legacy South Florida Magazines, to fully digital editions. In an ever-changing media landscape, we recognize the importance of staying ahead of the curve. This strategic move allows us to remain vigilant, innovative, and in tune with the times, making us one of the first publications in South Florida to embrace this evolution. As we welcome a new president and a renewed hope for unity in a divided nation, we reaffirm our commitment to what we do best: highlighting the success and achievements of South Florida’s Black community. In this issue, we honor the brilliance and contributions of Black chefs and leaders in the food industry, celebrating their innovation, resilience, and impact. We hope you enjoy this special edition, and as always, thank you for your continued support.
Dexter Bridgeman
CEO & Founder

Cover Stories

Cover Story

Black chefs are elevating South Florida’s thriving food scene

From Jacksonville to Miami, Honduras, Haiti, and Jamaica, this dynamic group of culinary artists add spice to South Florida’s vibrant and rich food scene. Their skills and passion will set the table for this year’s South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Chef Alain Lemaire, an award-winning chef and Food Network contestant, brought his culinary gifts from his native Port-au-Prince, Haiti to Miami and hasn’t looked back. He says the city’s large and tight-knit Haitian community made the transition easy. Aside from working diligently to elevate Haitian cuisine, his approach to cooking is simple: “Never serve what you wouldn’t enjoy. Period. ...

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Black Enterprise

Meet Hannah Dunbar: Passionate fruit preservation artisan

In a world of snacks laden with sugar, Hannah Dunbar offers a refreshingly simple alternative: dried fruit. As founder of A Fruitful Place, Dunbar has built a business rooted in purity, turning nature’s bounty into colorful sweets with no added sugars or chemicals. “I call them nature’s candy,” Dunbar said. “They are so sweet that you don’t need anything, just how God gave it.” But Dunbar’s journey to fruit preservation wasn’t born here in South Florida, it was cultivated across continents. Born and raised in Liberia, Dunbar grew up baking and crafting fruit preserves with her grandmother. Here is where she ...

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Legacy Magazine's

Reception & Fashion Show

honoring

The Most Prominent and Influential Black Women in Business for 2024

Call for Nominations

M•I•A Media Group is now accepting nominations for "The Most Powerful and Influential Black Business Leaders for 2025

Click on the event link below to enter contest to win tickets!

Winners will be chosen on February 19, 2025

ABOUT TOWN

Legacy featured events throughout Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach

Legacy South Florida Articles

Black Owned Hotels & Restaurants

Here are some featured Black Owned Restaurants in South Florida

13105 W Dixie Hwy. North Miami, FL 33161
6192 W Sample Rd. Coral Springs, FL 33067
313 Datura St #100 West Palm Beach, FL 33401

The Dutch Pot Jamaican Restaurant

4095 Haverhill Rd. West Palm Beach, FL 33417
Person typing on a laptop with a smartphone nearby, showcasing modern technology use.

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