Miami’s changemakers enjoyed an empowering morning at United Way Miami’s 23rd Annual Women United Breakfast on May 23. This exclusive event for Women United supporters celebrated women who continue to break glass ceilings, change the rules of the game and make history. This year’s breakfast raised more than $365,000, advancing United Way’s mission to build a stronger, better Miami.

During a delicious meal, guests enjoyed words of wisdom from some truly inspiring ladies. Mayor Daniella Levin Cava opened the program as our special guest. Next, Women United Chair Angelica Santibañez and Vice-Chair Sacha Welty detailed how United Way Miami cultivates the collective power of women to make an impact. United Way President and CEO Symeria Hudson highlighted the many ways the organization is committed to opening as many doors as possible for local women.

Host Leslie Miller Saiontz continued her tradition of sharing some remarkable achievements by women from the past year. During a fireside chat and Q&A session, speaker Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, the entrepreneur, investor and board director best known professionally as Co-Founder of e-commerce sensation Gilt, shared why she is passionate about using her experience and expertise to lift fellow women in business.

Check out photos from our 23rd Annual Women United Breakfast below!

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In addition to supporting our mission to build a stronger, more educated, prosperous and healthy community, this event brought together influential, professional and passionate women leaders to celebrate philanthropy and service.

View the local media coverage: WSVN 7 News and the Miami Herald.

Guests from all corners of the county celebrated in style on May 11, 2024 at United Way Miami’s 23rd Annual Mayor’s Ball hosted by the honorable Daniella Levine Cava. The Roaring Twenties theme delighted the crowd as the festivities were part of the organization’s year-long 100th anniversary celebration! 

Miami’s most influential leaders from business, government and philanthropy gathered in the spirit of community and goodwill to benefit the vital work of United Way Miami and toasted the night away to Miami’s evolution as a vibrant, prosperous and healthy community. 

The 1920s speakeasy-style affair raised funds to further United Way Miami’s mission of ensuring everyone has access to quality education and the opportunity to live healthy and financially secure lives – the building blocks of a thriving community. 

Mayor Levine Cava reflected on why the strong partnership between United Way Miami and Miami-Dade County is such a powerful force in our community. Our President and CEO, Symeria Hudson, shared what’s on the horizon to advance our mission as we head into our next century of service. After the evening’s program, guests finished out the night on the dance floor.

View photos of this year’s Mayor’s Ball below!

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Thank you to this year’s Fundraising Co-Chairs Albert E. Dotson Jr. and Courtney Whitney who worked tirelessly in helping fundraise for the event alongside the host committee, which included a line-up of well-known community and business leaders. 

Sponsors of the 23rd Annual Mayor’s Ball included Centennial Sponsors Bilzin Sumberg and Griffin Catalyst; Emerald Sponsor Greenberg Traurig; Gold Sponsors Aetna Inc., Amazon, American Airlines, Badia Spices, Codina Partners, Florida Power & Light, Jayne & Leonard Abess Foundation, Ken O’Keefe and Jason Stephens, Reworld™, Scott Fuhrman, Swire Properties; and Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez, Commissioner Kevin M. Cabrera, Senator René Garcia, Commissioner Roberto J. Gonzalez, Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, Commissioner Eileen Higgins, Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee, Vice Chairman Anthony Rodriguez and Commissioner Micky Steinberg. 

Our heartfelt thanks go out to those helping us build a stronger and more equitable Miami-Dade County for the next century.

United Way Miami’s participation in this year’s Lexus Corporate Run featured an extra layer of fun – it kicked off United Way Miami’s 100th anniversary! On April 25, United Way Miami joined “Downtown Miami’s Largest Office Party” for the first of its yearlong centennial celebrations.

As the Charity Partner of the race, United Way Miami supporters gathered for a great race experience while strengthening the education, financial stability and health of individuals and families in Miami. Participants enjoyed fun giveaways, sweet treats and a lively photo booth that captured all the unforgettable moments!

Check out photos of this year’s race below.

The Lexus Corporate Run is more than just a celebration of health and fitness in the workplace. It is a gathering for those committed to helping everyone in our community lead healthier lives.

United Way Miami extends its heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to TeamFootWorks and participants for their continued support in bringing impactful, lasting change to our community. As we celebrate 100 years of building a stronger Miami, we are excited about all we can accomplish together over the next century and beyond.

Hundreds of wine and food enthusiasts gathered for the 2024 VeritageMiami event series, presented by City National Bank. For the 28th year, guests came together to eat, drink and unite for a good cause, raising more than $1,000,000 to benefit United Way Miami and its mission to build a stronger Miami for all.

The festivities kicked off on March 6 with the first event in the series, the Wine and Food Experience at The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in Coconut Grove. Guests embarked on a delightful journey for the palate, where wineries from every corner of the globe shared their finest bottles and local eateries offered up their favorite bites.

To close out the series, the highly anticipated Interactive Dinner took place on April 19 at the InterContinental Miami Hotel in downtown Miami, featuring celebrity chef Jeremy Ford. This unique culinary experience featured a live, in-person master class as guests cooked alongside Chef Ford, then enjoyed a three-course gourmet dinner. The event featured an impressive line-up of silent and live auctions, with all proceeds benefiting United Way Miami’s impactful work in education, financial stability and health.

Check out photos of this year’s VeritageMiami series below!

WINE AND FOOD EXPERIENCE

INTERACTIVE DINNER

The 2024 VeritageMiami season was chaired by Patricia and José Mas for the second year in a row. Sponsors of the 2024 VeritageMiami event series included Presenting Sponsor City National Bank; Magnum Sponsors Bilzin Sumberg, Greenberg Traurig, Ryder System, Inc., United Data Technologies (UDT); Sommelier Sponsors Bank of America, Delta Air Lines, Florida Power & Light, Holland & Knight LLP, Magic City Casino, Northern Trust, Quirch Foods, Socorro Partners; and Media Partners Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald, OUTFRONT Media, The South Florida Business Journal. 

The VeritageMiami event series brought together a who’s who of wine and food lovers for a world-class gathering of top sommeliers, notable chefs and prestigious wineries, all while raising money for a very worthwhile cause.

On Sunday, January 21, runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts teamed up for the Amerant Bank 5K in support of United Way Miami.

With more than 800 runners registered, nearly $90,000 was raised for nearly 100 United Way Miami-funded programs working to ensure everyone has access to quality education and the opportunity to live healthy and financially secure lives – the building blocks of a thriving community.

This year’s event held an extra special significance as it marks the centennial milestone for United Way Miami. For a century, we have been dedicated to positively impacting our community, and we are honored to continue this tradition with our 13th annual 5K that will benefit so many in our community.

The race began bright and early at Coral Gables City Hall, taking participants through the City Beautiful before ending with a festive post-race party.

Thanks to our 2024 Amerant Bank 5K sponsors, including Title Sponsor Amerant Bank and Gold Medal Sponsor Williamson Cadillac.

Check out photos from our third annual Amerant Bank 5K below!  

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View the local media coverage from WSVN 7 News.  

Adorned in aprons and chef’s hats, nearly 400 guests gathered for the most-anticipated interactive brunch experience held at the InterContinental Miami – United Way Miami’s Young Leaders Build Your Own Brunch (BYOB).   

The seventh annual BYOB, held on Sunday, December 17, blended culinary cooking, led by a trio of talented Miami chefs, with charitable giving. In a show of philanthropic support, Young Leaders shattered BYOB records by surpassing $225,000 in funds raised during the interactive cooking affair, making the event an unforgettable showcase of their profound commitment to United Way.   

The proceeds generated are instrumental in supporting United Way and its nearly 100 programs focused on building a stronger Miami through education, financial stability and health initiatives. United Way’s Young Leaders are an engaged group of young professionals, ages 40 and younger, who are dedicated to supporting United Way and the community.

Check out all the fun our Young Leaders had at this year’s BYOB below!

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Whether skilled cooks or novices in the kitchen, guests at every table prepared a three-course brunch menu, live, with the help of BYOB’s guest chefs: Chef Cesar Zapata from the restaurant Phuc Yea, who guided guests through the first course, arepas with scrambled eggs and tomatoes; Chef Francesco Martini, from the InterContinental Miami, who prepared the second course, an heirloom beet salad; and Chef Tristen Epps, the executive chef at Eden Roc Miami Beach, who presented the final course, a Tibs and Grits recipe.   

During the culinary cooking demonstrations, guests also enjoyed bidding on live auction items, such as lavish vacations, private dining and entertainment experiences and tickets to sporting events and concerts.  

Thank you to our Young Leaders, sponsors and guests for contributing to the success of this year’s BYOB event. Your partnerships are vital in advancing our mission to build a stronger Miami for all.

Watch local media coverage from CBS News Miami capture our Young Leaders cooking a delicious brunch at the InterContinental Miami.

On Thursday, July 27, 2023, United Way Miami proudly marked a significant milestone during a press conference with the launch of UpSkill Miami – a transformative fund focusing on workforce development initiatives. The event gathered more than 90 esteemed individuals, including dignitaries, representatives from the Office of the Mayor of Miami-Dade County and key community partners, to celebrate this transformative fund’s unveiling.

What set this launch event apart was the enthusiastic participation of CEOs and executives from some of the region’s most prominent organizations, who stood united as valued partners of the first phase of UpSkill Miami. Notable leaders like Bo Boulenger, CEO of Baptist Health; Carlos A. Migoya, CEO of Jackson Health System; Madeline Pumariega, President of Miami Dade College; Charles Hodges, President of Education and Training Division of The CDL School; and Michelle Barton King, Chairperson of the Board of United HomeCare, lent their influential voices to UpSkill Miami, amplifying the collective impact of the initiative. United Way is confidently leading the charge and forging powerful partnerships with some of the largest employers in our region.

UpSkill Miami is poised to redefine the trajectory of Miami-Dade County residents, enabling them to upskill and secure employment in industry-leading fields. Serving as a vital bridge between education and employment, this initiative epitomizes the strength of collaboration for lasting change. The recently released ALICE Report underscores the urgent need for such a transformation. The data shows the number of Miami-Dade County households unable to afford the basics has grown to nearly half a million. The report also establishes the Household Survival Budget at $76,284, the estimated minimum cost for a family of four to live and work in the county. However, the current median household income in Miami-Dade is only $59,044, highlighting the disparity between living expenses and actual earnings. Combining those findings with the complex issues the community is currently facing – an inflated economy, a lack of skilled workers and widening wage gaps – now is the time for collaboration through a strategic approach. UpSkill Miami is more than just a fund; it is a catalyst for economic mobility, creating a resounding impact for future generations.

In its initial phase, 500 students are expected to join the ranks of those United Way Miami has helped to grow and succeed. After initial investments of more than $2.5 million in the healthcare and transportation/CDL industries, United Way will assess opportunities in energy  and construction trades.

The launch of UpSkill Miami wouldn’t have been possible without the collective efforts of countless individuals. The ongoing support of partners, stakeholders and champions of United Way’s mission remains pivotal in carrying out this vital work.

Whether you’re a potential donor looking to invest in transforming lives, an employer or training provider seeking meaningful partnerships or a resident interested in exploring UpSkill Miami’s opportunities, we invite you to get involved. To learn more, visit unitedwaymiami.org/UpSkillMiami.

Check out the photos from the press conference here. Additionally, delve into a captivating article by the Miami Herald about UpSkill Miami here.