Keeping It Civil Miami’s 130 And Where We Go Next At Barry University
By Andrea Briones
“Keeping It Civil: Miami’s 130,” an event held at Barry University, explored Miami’s history, growth and changing communities. The discussion brought together community members to reflect on the city’s future and what it means to call Miami home.
As Miami celebrates its 130th anniversary, community members from different generations gather at Barry University to reflect on how the city has changed and what they hope its future will look like.
Keeping it Civil · Miami’s 130 — And Where We Go Next was held Oct. 2 and presented by South Florida People of Color and Power for Good Consulting.
The event brought together older, working-age and younger Miamians for three rounds of conversation centered on the city’s history, growth, communities and future.
“Keeping it civil is really all about the people. We want to connect community, we want them listening to one another, we want them learning and ultimately we want them to feel empowered by the things that they've heard from the fishbowl to ultimately take action in civil life,” said Aurora Colindres, the founder of Power for Good Consulting, in an interview with Caplin News.
The evening started with Entrelazado Perpetuo / Perpetual Intertwining, a solo exhibition by Miami-based artist Leandro Vazquez, presented by the Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator (DVCAI).
Vazquez’s large-scale abstract paintings and sculptures explore shelter as both a physical space and a symbol of protection and home, drawing on his experiences with migration, displacement and belonging.
“Colors represent Miami and materials represent Miami. Some of [my] artworks are collaboration and I believe that life is a collaboration and in the pieces they have friends, families, teachers, even enemies that they make us better,” said Vazquez.
Vasquez’s exhibit can be found on the second floor of Barry University’s Monsignor William Barry Memorial Library.
The event followed a “fishbowl” format, where participants sat at the center of the room and discussed questions while attendees listened. The fishbowl consisted of three sessions: The Land, The People and The Charter and What We’re Charting Forth.
Round one included topics about environment, housing, habitat loss, overdevelopment, affordability, the property-tax debate and the climate crisis reshaping who can afford to stay.
Nicole Crooks, the community engagement manager of Catalyst Miami shared her experience with climate gentrification in Overtown. She highlighted the need to honor the history of indigenous groups like the Augusti, Mikasuki, Seminole and Calsua people.
“We have to hold on to hope even though some days it’s really hard to hold on to hope, but we must give honor to all of those who came before,” Crooks said.
The following round was about immigration, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and the economic and civic contributions of the people who make Miami.
“My biggest takeaway from the discussion was that people from different backgrounds can all come together and work toward something tandem,” said Saphira Etienne, a business management and political science student at Barry University. “[These conversations are important] because if we stop talking about what’s going on, it’ll stop being a thing. We have to keep talking so that our legacy and our voices don’t go unheard.”
Lastly, in round three they spoke about civil rights history, the DEI rollback and the Official Actions of Local Governments (SB 1134) and the fight over voting rights three days before the Oct. 5 registration deadline.
Shenna O. Murray, a Miami vocalist, actress, and spoken word artist and DP .$oul, an independent trumpeter, closed the night with an original piece called “When You Decide to Come Home.”
The event was sponsored by Barry University, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, ACLU Florida, SPLC, Florida Rising, Miami Foundation, Axios Miami, CRAF, Melba Pearson, Coral Gables UCC, DVCAI and The Brickellian.
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