Congresswoman Meek knew that the power of a place is in its people, and that residents must be engaged to build their own community. The 2022 winners of the Meek Mobilize Grants Program have stepped up to lead this important work in their own neighborhoods. From 120 applications to the program, 22 projects were selected to activate residents in Opa-locka, Liberty City and Florida City around issues that matter to them. Anyone was eligible to apply, regardless of 501c3 status. The unique effort aims to strengthen neighborhoods and unite residents behind critical quality of life causes impacting local Black and Brown communities. It’s a first step in the Foundation’s commitment to strengthen neighborhoods from the inside, out, activating block-by-block connections between residents to build safer, healthier places to live in Miami-Dade.
“The Meek Mobilize Grants winners reflect our best: selfless residents who have committed to improving their community. Many of them have created and led effective solutions to the ongoing social and economic issues our people have long-wanted addressed, and they’ve done it with little to no institutional funding. Our goal is to grow the capacity of these projects so they get access to networks, resources, and the community support needed to more effectively serve our residents.” -- Lucia Davis-Raiford, President and CEO
Click below to meet all the winners. We are privileged to work with these incredible community leaders!
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Pictured: Project T.H.U.G., which will receive $3,000 to support learning experiences that dismantle dominant male stereotypes for Black boys.
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This year’s winners launched their cohort experience during in-person orientations on March 30 and 31. They were able to connect with each other, share more about their projects and what they hope for the future of their community work. Winners will receive funding, as well as ongoing technical and capacity building support throughout the year, like sessions to learn from experts in community organizing, nonprofit management and grant writing. In Florida City, the mayor, city commissioners and community supporters joined the gathering to celebrate the winners, many of whom shared personal connections to Congresswoman Carrie Meek.
“The energy these winners have already generated is exactly the collective community power we want to strengthen through this program. So many residents value how they have stepped up in the gap where society’s broken systems couldn’t meet the need. These grants are only the beginning; it will take more momentum from funders, organizations, public agencies and above all, residents to ensure the success of these projects and the dedicated change-agents leading them.” -- Matthew Beatty, Vice President and COO
See more photos from the events.
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Artistic expression can help youth develop positive self-images and affirm who they want to be. The HOPE Murals program engages young people in a creative outlet and positive alternative to destructive behaviors. Guided by founder German DuBois, young adults at the Dade Juvenile Detention Center are challenged to think critically and creatively about the concept of HOPE as it applies to their personal journey, asking 'Where am I?' 'Where have I come from?' and 'Where do I want to go upon my release?’
With a grant from The Carrie Meek Foundation, HOPE Murals will expand its work to Department of Juvenile Justice residential facilities. These are where many young people are assigned after leaving the detention center for a court-determined term. With a more concrete timeframe to work with the young people while residents, the program can focus on youth re-entering the community, when it is more likely to impact decisions after release. By measuring how the interactive mural development experience impacts youth, we can determine its effectiveness, as well as see how the program can support youth after release with long-term opportunities. Encouraging mindfulness in decision-making and self-expression can help our youth find their hope, self-actualize and make healthier choices for their future.
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Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has officially made history as the first Black woman confirmed to the U.S Supreme Court. As she endured the grueling Senate confirmation process, local Black women gathered in solidarity to watch the March 21st hearings at The Carrie Meek Foundation. The Black Women’s Leadership Collective hosted the event in partnership with local sorority chapters and professional groups. We join all of Greater Miami in celebrating our very own Associate Justice Jackson’s historic appointment!
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