MEMORANDUM. See attached report for department activities for December and January 2019.

Transcription

1 MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: GMCVB Executive Committee Carole Ann Taylor, Chair Multicultural Tourism & Development DATE: February 25, 2019 RE: Multicultural Tourism & Development Report See attached report for department activities for December and January 2019.

2 MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: GMCVB Executive Committee Connie W. Kinnard, Vice President Multicultural Tourism & Development DATE: February 25, 2019 RE: Multicultural Tourism & Development Report DECEMBER ARTS AT THE ELKS IN LIBERTY CITY HOSTS BASEL DAZZLE: A FABULOUS ART RECEPTION GMCVB Multicultural Tourism & Development team attended the pre-art Basel event Basel Dazzle: A Fabulous Art Reception on November 29 at the recently renovated art space, Arts at the Elks in Liberty City. Hosted by members of Professionally Fabulous a group of women dedicated to community service while having a mission to better care for themselves and support each other the event included catering by Jackson Soul Food, along with entertainment by songstress Maryel Epps followed by featured work from artists including Carol Brown, Winsome Bolt, Jeff Cash, and celebrity artist CJ Latimore. GMCVB PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACK MEETING PLANNERS CONFERENCE The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP) Annual Conference took place in New Orleans on November 28 December 1. GMCVB Convention Sales Director Joe McCray joined Multicultural Tourism VP Connie Kinnard VP in sponsoring and presenting highlights of the reimagined Miami Beach Convention Center, hotel updates and multicultural initiatives of the GMCVB to the Board of Directors. NCBMP was established in 1983 and is non-profit organization dedicated primarily to the training needs of African American meeting planners. ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI: THE EXHIBIT AT THE HISTORIC HAMPTON HOUSE Open as of December 13th, the Historic Hampton House Cultural Center, Miami New Drama and the Colony Theatre invite everyone to experience One Night in Miami: The Exhibit featuring the original set and costumes from the hit play "One Night in Miami". The play is a fictional account of what happened the night of February 25th, 1964 when Cassius Clay emerged from the Miami Beach Convention Center victorious and spent the night at the Hampton House Motel with friends activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke, and football star Jim Brown. An evening that forever changed their lives, can now live on through the play and the exhibit. The exhibit will end on January 31st and will be held at the Historic Hampton House in Liberty City. 1

3 FOREVER CELIA EXHIBITION OPENS AT AMERICAN MUSEUM OF THE CUBAN DIASPORA Opened in October of 2018, the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora presents "Forever CELIA" an exhibit offering visitors a look into the life of the Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, and her journey as a Cuban exile, fashion trailblazer, and music icon. On exhibit through March 31, 2019, the show features items from Celia s trademark extravagant wardrobe, and never-before-seen artifacts culled from her personal collection. Curated by Omer Pardillo-Cid, executor of the Celia Cruz Estate and the singer's former manager, Forever CELIA is the largest Cruz exhibit to date featuring items such as costumes Cruz wore at Havana s famous Tropicana Night Club in the 1950s. ART OF BLACK MIAMI 365 Miami Art Week may be over, but the GMCVB s Art of Black Miami initiative carries on year round with 365 programming. There are various exhibits still open, including AfriCOBRA at the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami, which will run through April 7, 2019 and, It Is Written: Redline Letters to Report 1947 presented by the City of Miami Black Police Precinct & Courthouse Museum in Historic Overtown, which will run through March 1, CHINATOWN HOSTS KICKOFF GALA IN NORTH MIAMI BEACH Miami Chinatown hosted its Miami Chinatown Kickoff Gala on January 5, 2019 at the Julius Littman Performing Arts Theater in North Miami Beach to formally introduce the Chinatown to the public. GMCVB s Multicultural Tourism Team has attended previous Chinatown town hall meetings and is excited for this new multicultural experience in Miami. Divided into two parts, the gala will have a Broadway style drama as well as a variety show featuring Li Qiao, Junhua Chen, and the Miami Chinese Choir. THE COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER IN CONCERT FOR A WORTHY CAUSE GMCVB Multicultural Tourism Vice President Connie Kinnard attended the 8th Annual Bridging Classics of the Past with Classics of the Future Handel Messiah Concert on December 16th at the Church of the Incarnation in North Miami. The concert featured a diverse community choir, classically trained musicians and orchestra under the direction of Dr. Nelson Hall. The Lemon City Cemetery Corporation under the leadership of Dr. Enid Pinkney coordinated the event, which also served as a fundraiser and awareness program for the works of the organization. JANUARY THE 42ND ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DAY PARADE & FAMILY FESTIVAL On January 21, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Festivities Committee invited everyone to attend the 42nd Annual MLK Day Parade & Family Festival on NW 54th Street and 10th Avenue to 32nd Avenue with the festival being held at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park located at 6000 NW 32nd Court. The festivities included the 36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. 5K Run & Fitness Walk, Coexist Covenant Ceremony, the MLK Holiday Parade, the MLK Family Festival, and more! The GMCVB Multicultural Tourism & Development Team was a proud collaborating sponsor of this event. 2

4 2019 LITTLE HAITI LITTER CONTAINER WRAPPED ART PROJECT The Little Haiti Cultural Complex was looking for creative visionaries to submit completed art work for the 2019 Little Haiti Litter Container Wrapped Art Project. 31 finalists are being selected to determine which designs will transform 30 City of Miami Trash Cans into murals throughout Little Haiti. As one of Miami's culturally rich and artsiest neighborhoods, and in synergy with Miami Arts & Heritage month, the Little Haiti Cultural Center has extended the deadline for their 2019 Little Haiti Litter Container Wrapped Art Project to January 12 th. ENTREPRENEURIAL WORKSHOP BEGINS SPRING 2019 IN NORTH MIAMI The Miami Bayside Foundation will host its 10 session Spring 2019 Small Business Workshop beginning on March 7. The free training will be held at the Sunkist Grove Community Center in North Miami. As part of the criteria, interested participants must be a minority owned active business in operation for a minimum of six months to a year located in Miami-Dade County. The Miami Bayside Foundation Small Business training is partially supported through the GMCVB s Tourism Business Enhancement Initiative with the mission to advocate, support and strengthen the economic sustainability and access of multicultural communities and heritage related businesses within the Greater Miami and the Beaches. THE BLACK POLICE PRECINCT AND COURTHOUSE MUSEUM INVITE SCHOOLS TO EXPERIENCE BLACK HISTORY MONTH 365 The Historic Black Police Precinct and Courthouse Museum in Historic Overtown celebrated Black History Month 365 by calling all public schools and community groups to experience a guided history tour learning about The First Five and the history behind community policing and law enforcement integration. During the month of January and February, groups are also welcome to visit the new teaching exhibit from Art of Black Miami Redline Memo Letters from the 1940s and Chief Clarence Dickson: The First Black Police Chief of Miami Dade. YOUNGARTS EXHIBITS FEATURES PROMISING ARTIST Petra Brennan, Director of Tourism Business Enhancement, attended the opening exhibit of the National YoungArts Foundation Winners on January 11. The exhibit entitled Infinite Possibilities featured works by 41 of the most promising artists from around the country. The exhibition was curated by Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator Founder Rosie Gordon Wallace. The students enrolled in the program receive intensive training and mentoring working across 10 disciplines. They presented their work to the public and attended master classes with artists such as Tony Awardwinning actress Karen Olivo, singer and songwriter Betty Wright, prolific choreographer Camille A. Brown, interdisciplinary designers The Haas Brothers as well as visual artist Yashua Klos. The Infinite Possibilities exhibit will run at the YoungArts Gallery through February 11. GMCVB MULTICULTURAL TEAM VISITS MIAMI SPRINGS ELEMENTARY GMCVB Multicultural Tourism s Herlinda Lombardi participated in the Education Fund s Teach-A- Thon campaign at Miami Springs Elementary school on January 11 where she taught a fifth-grade class all about Miami s unique neighborhoods, amazing attractions, as well as the power of travel/tourism in Greater Miami and the Beaches. Stepping into the shoes of a teacher made for an exciting morning, with the 22 youngsters engaged and actively enjoying learning all about Miami s multicultural jewels. 3

5 GMCVB SUPPORTS THE 26 TH ANNUAL DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. UNITY SCHOLARSHIP BREAKFAST The 26 th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Scholarship Breakfast to benefit the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project founded by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson took place on January 21 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The highly anticipated breakfast event honored the life and legacy of Dr. King and served as the induction ceremony for approximately 47 Wilson scholars. The inspirational speakers included film guru Will Packer, veteran actor Danny Glover and Miami s own JoMarie Payton, most recognized for her role in Family Matters. JOSE MARTI ART EXHIBITION AND COMMEMORATIVE WALK On January 25, GMCVB Multicultural Tourism s Herlinda Lombardi attended the City of Hialeah s opening night of the Jose Marti Art Exhibition at the Milander Center for Arts & Entertainment. The art exhibit honored Cuban Poet and Hero Jose Martí and will run through February 22. Local artist Fredy Villamil was also in attendance for his official book launch and signing The Future Holds as Treasures, the Art Work of Today. Also in attendance was local Cuban-American fashion designer Yas Gonzalez, showcasing her one of kind dresses inspired by the architecture and landscapes of Cuba. On January 27 the City of Hialeah also held its annual Commemorative Walk in honor of Jose Marti, a community event including local leaders and community groups. GMCVB MULTICULTURAL TOURISM DIRECTOR PARTICPATES IN BETSY HOTEL CULTURAL CONVERSATION SERIES Petra Brennan, GMCVB Tourism Business Enhancement Director of Multicultural Tourism participated on a Cultural Conversation panel discussion on January 27 at the Betsy Hotel in South Beach. The topic, Unpacking the Politics of Black Hair, encouraged candid discussion on the acceptance of Black hair and its diversity in style and beauty as an individual choice. The panel was moderated by Calibe Thompson, Publisher of Island Origins Magazine and Creative Director for Island Syndicate projects. The Cultural Conversation Series hosted by the Betsy Hotel is done in partnership with Harris PR, as part of their ongoing commitment to global arts, culture, and community. GMCVB MULTICULTURAL TOURISM SPONSOR LIL GREENHOUSE GRILL TALK & TASTING WITH THE NEW TROPIC GMCVB Multicultural Tourism Team along with the New Tropic hosted the Lil Greenhouse Grill Talk & Tasting on January 24 as part of a New Tropic initiative called Neighborhood Spotlights focusing on sharing the stories of the communities in Miami. The neighborhoods are spotlighted throughout the month by answering questions from readers about the history of the neighborhood, culminating with an event in the community. Guests were invited to get a chance to sit down and talk with Nicole Gates, managing partner of Lil Greenhouse Grill, and head chef Karim Bryant, about all things Lil Greenhouse and the community they are celebrating two years of serving meals in. The GMCVB Multicultural Team was a sponsor of this event and is excited to bring the spotlight to various communities in the heritage neighborhoods. 4

6 GMCVB MULTICULTURAL TOURISM PARTICIPATES IN CONVERSATION AND COCKTAILS EVENT CELEBRATING AILEY S 60TH ANNIVERSARY WITH ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ROBERT BATTLE GMCVB Multicultural Tourism Vice President Connie Kinnard and Tourism Business Enhancement Director Petra Brennan participated in the Conversation and Cocktails event with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater s Artistic Director Robert Battle at the Overtown Performing Arts Center on January 29. Robert Battle was presented with the City proclamation acknowledging the 60 th Anniversary of the company presented to him by City of Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon. Hot 105 FM s Traci Cloyd interviewed Robert Battle to learn more about his inspiring personal story growing up in Liberty City, his journey to becoming Ailey's 3rd Artistic Director in the Company's history, his vision for moving forward the 60-year legacy of Mr. Alvin Ailey and Mr. Alvin Ailey's impact on American culture, and the company's rich history. The audience was treated to a "preview" of Ailey's upcoming engagement during Black History Month on February at the Adrienne Arsht Center which will include new productions of Alvin Ailey and Robert Battle's works as well as premieres by Ronald K. Brown, Wayne McGregor and hip-hop innovator Rennie Harris. 5