The story of Julia Pennington-Gilchrist begins in the most public of spotlights, but her work has always been embedded in quiet, consistent care. Earlier this year, in a district with more than 20,000 educators, she stood on stage as one of four finalists for Miami-Dade County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. As the crowd […]
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Arias Austin didn’t build SlushyIcees like a startup chasing investors and instant scale. She built it like a South Florida hustle—lean, local, and centered on a product that makes sense in Miami heat. The brand, formerly called SluttyIcees, is a family-owned dessert business built around colorful frozen Icees and what Austin calls “creative Iceé Bowls,”
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Regina King knows what it means to come home to a place that has grown alongside you and to a community you’ve helped shape. This spring, as the American Black Film Festival celebrates 30 years and returns to Miami Beach under the banner “Homecoming,” the Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe-winning actor and director steps in
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History is almost never rewritten by accident. For David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, bringing the American Black Film Festival back to Miami was never about nostalgia. It was a calculated move to redefine how the city is seen—and who gets to shape that perception. “Back in 2007,
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Jeff Friday’s return to Miami Beach this May carries the weight of three decades. The American Black Film Festival (ABFF), which he founded in 1997 and still leads, celebrates its 30th anniversary May 27–31. What began with just 90 attendees has since evolved into a major gathering that now draws thousands each year, becoming one
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Jennifer Newsome is redefining what it means to lead with purpose. As the founder and CEO of the National Association of Black Compliance and Risk Management Professionals (NABCRMP), she has established a global network of over 500 members dedicated to advancing Black leadership in governance, risk, and compliance. Through StartSmart Counsel, Professional Limited Liability Company
Miami native Alexis Brown is a trailblazer transforming South Florida’s cultural landscape. As founder and CEO of SocialXchange, Inc., Brown curates immersive events that foster community, celebrate Black and Brown excellence, and empower professionals across social, artistic, and wellness spaces. Brown also co-founded the Black Pepper Food Festival, South Florida’s first Black restaurant-focused food festival,