Black History Month is a time to honor the past, celebrate progress, and take action for the future. At United Way Miami, we recognize the Black leaders and trailblazers whose resilience, innovation, and dedication continue to shape our community. Their contributions are woven into the very fabric of our mission, propelling us forward as we work to build a stronger Miami for all.

This year holds special significance as we celebrate United Way Miami’s centennial—a milestone that marks 100 years of service and impact on our community. It is also historic because Symeria Hudson is our organization’s first Black president and CEO. Under her leadership, we are deepening our commitment to tackling Miami-Dade’s most pressing challenges—including rising housing costs, wage disparities, affordability, and financial instability. Symeria’s personal journey, growing up in public housing in Huntsville, Alabama, and being raised by a hardworking single mother, fuels her passion for expanding opportunities for all.

The challenges we face today demand bold action. Too many families in Miami-Dade still struggle to make ends meet. We refer to these households as ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)—hardworking individuals who earn above the federal poverty level but not enough to afford basic necessities. In Miami-Dade, 61% of Black households live below the ALICE threshold, underscoring persistent financial gaps. That’s why our focus remains on delivering real solutions—ensuring families not only survive but thrive.

As one of Miami’s longest-standing nonprofits, we serve more than 187,000 individuals annually by providing critical resources across our Core Four pillars—H.E.R.E.: Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities, and Economic Mobility. Under Symeria’s leadership, we’ve sharpened our focus on economic empowerment, launching and expanding initiatives like UpSkill Miami—our workforce development program that provides career training in high-demand industries such as healthcare, transportation, construction trades, energy, aviation, and education. Paired with our financial stability services, education programs, and health initiatives, we’re helping individuals and families chart a path toward lasting success.

But we don’t do this work alone. This Black History Month, we proudly highlight exceptional Black leaders within our partner agencies who are driving meaningful change across Miami-Dade:

• Health & Wellbeing: Dr. Tamaru Phillips, Cayuga Centers
• Education: Michelle Shirley, Be Strong International
• Resilient Communities: Zelalem Adefris, Catalyst Miami
• Economic Mobility: Christy Berry-Wilson, Richmond Perrine Optimist Club

These leaders are breaking barriers and creating opportunities for Black families. Thanks to their efforts—and our network of more than 60 impact partner agencies, along with the 17 initiatives led by United Way—we helped 7,176 children access quality early education, supported 107,919 individuals through financial stability programs, and provided health services to 43,426 residents last year.

At United Way Miami, we believe real change happens when we come together. This Black History Month—and every day—we remain committed to advancing opportunities, expanding access, and ensuring a brighter future for all. By working alongside community leaders, partners, and supporters like you, we can create a stronger, more thriving Miami where everyone has the chance to succeed.

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View the local media coverage from NBC 6 News

On Sunday, January 26, 2025, runners, walkers and supporters joined the Amerant Bank 5K in Coral Gables to celebrate United Way Miami’s 100 years of creating positive change in our community. The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Symeria Hudson, United Way Miami president and CEO; Jerry Plush, Amerant Chairman, President and CEO; and Mayor Vince Lago, Coral Gables Mayor. Participants started the day with a guided warm-up session, preparing them for the race through the scenic streets of Coral Gables. After crossing the finish line, attendees enjoyed a Recovery Zone with refreshments, stretching stations and other amenities to help them recharge. 

This year’s race wasn’t just about crossing the finish line— it was about recognizing the powerful legacy of United Way Miami and the incredible strides we’ve made together.  For 100 years, United Way Miami has been right HERE, connecting people who need help with people who can help. As we continue celebrating our centennial year, we are also achieving new milestones. This year’s Amerant 5K set records with 1,000 registrants, the highest number to date and raised more than $93,000, marking a record-breaking achievement. These proceeds will directly support United Way’s Core Four pillars: Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities and Economic Mobility. The funds will drive more than 100 programs at over 60 partner agencies and power 17 initiatives led by United Way, positively impacting 187,000 individuals annually and delivering essential services that help families thrive. 

A huge thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered and supported the event. Your dedication makes it possible to continue building a Miami where everyone has the chance to succeed. 

As we celebrate our centennial, we’re taking a moment to reflect on all we’ve accomplished—while also looking ahead to the future. This 5K is just one of many ways we’re honoring 100 years of service and pushing forward with our mission to build a stronger Miami.  

Thanks to our 2025 Amerant Bank 5K sponsors, including Title Sponsor Amerant Bank and Gold Medal Sponsor Williamson Automotive.   

Miami, FL – Wednesday, April 17 – United Way Miami, one of the leading non-profit organizations in South Florida is kicking off its centennial celebrations. Founded less than three decades after Miami’s official incorporation, on April 24, 1924, United Way Miami has supported local families daily for 100 years to build a thriving, resilient community. From global pandemics to natural disasters to inequity across different groups, United Way Miami has led the region through these crises.

“I am truly proud of this moment and to lead this amazing organization into this pivotal milestone,” said Symeria T. Hudson, president and CEO of United Way Miami. “As we stand on a new horizon for United Way Miami, we’re at the forefront of forging innovative solutions to the complex issues facing our residents. Through strategic partnerships, we’re making a collective impact that extends far beyond our local boundaries. By uniting Miami’s public and private sectors, we’re amplifying our efforts to uplift our community and achieve tangible, long-lasting outcomes.”

With Miami-Dade County rapidly transforming, experiencing increasing wage gaps, the high cost of living and the high supply of jobs with low demand of talent, United Way Miami is focused on solving these issues with a targeted approach. It directly leads 14 initiatives to help the underserved and provides funding, expertise, research, advocacy, public awareness and volunteers to nearly 100 programs at more than 60 local agencies. Every year, United Way Miami’s work impacts the lives of more than 230,000 individuals.

The organization remains the go-to resource for the area’s most vulnerable residents, serving as a beacon of hope for a better tomorrow. By combining Miami’s public and private partners to lift up those in need, residents become empowered and equipped to survive challenges, improve their lives and become part of a thriving Miami.

United Way Miami helps families facing unexpected hardships and enables them to plan for a stable financial future. United Way also helps military veterans pursue training for in-demand careers and helps children reach their full potential by providing quality early education. It also gives older adults nutritious meals, in-home personal care and fitness programs.

United Way Miami is laying the foundation to make an even greater impact over the next 100 years, ensuring everyone in Miami-Dade has access to quality education and the opportunity to live healthy and financially secure lives. United Way Miami’s next century of service will build on this legacy to make a lasting impact for the generations that follow.

ABOUT UNITED WAY MIAMI
United Way Miami has been a leader in Miami-Dade’s nonprofit community for 100 years. Founded in 1924 – less than 30 years after the city of Miami’s official incorporation – we work with our network of donors, volunteers and partners to transform the lives of our most vulnerable residents. We leverage our unique position to convene the community, build awareness of Miami-Dade’s needs and potential, fund nearly 100 impactful local programs and more than 60 local agencies and provide direct services that uplift families in underserved communities. We directly lead and run the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, the United Way Center for Financial Stability, UpSkill Miami, MISSION UNITED and other programs. Entering our next century, we’re building on our legacy of future-focused, innovative, collaborative work to continue making a lasting impact today and for generations to come.

For 100 years, United Way Miami has been a long-standing leader in our community, transforming the lives of many. As we kick off our yearlong centennial celebration, we are more excited than ever to continue making a lasting impact for the generations that follow.

Remember to join the celebration and wish us a happy birthday using #100YearsUnited on Wednesday, April 24!

This National Volunteer Month, volunteers from United Way’s Giving Communities and corporate sponsors joined forces during our Leaders Day of Action on Saturday, April 6, to revitalize our impact partner, New Horizon Community Mental Health Center. As part of the renovation, volunteers, alongside muralist Martina Tasende, created a beautiful mural for New Horizon’s new program, The Living Room @ New Horizon — a mental health crisis living room for Miami residents! Together, we transformed the center into a vibrant haven of comfort and support for their staff and the families they serve.

With engaging activities like colorful mural painting sessions and landscaping projects, everyone had a blast while making a meaningful impact. A huge thank you to all who pitched in and supported this initiative.

For more than 45 years, New Horizon has offered comprehensive preventive, therapeutic and supportive mental health and substance abuse outpatient services. We are proud to support and partner with an organization that empowers Miami-Dade residents and children facing behavioral health disorders by delivering culturally competent care, treatment and essential support for their growth and well-being.

Check out photos of this year’s impactful Leaders Day of Action below!

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A special shout-out goes to our Innovator sponsors, Amazon and Duane Morris, for their invaluable support of this year’s event.

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.

In the spirit of community service, made possible by hundreds of dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors, United Way Miami orchestrated a record-breaking Thanksgiving Drive initiative to elevate the holiday experience for more than 2,200 families and veterans across Miami-Dade County.   

Take a look at the impact we made in the community – together!

Throughout November, more than 450 volunteers collaborated to make United Way’s Thanksgiving Drive a success, contributing food and donations and assisting in preparing, packing and delivering thousands of meal kits for families in need. 

Each Thanksgiving meal kit included essential dinner staples like stuffing, cornbread, dessert mix, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, cranberry sauce and a $20 Publix gift card that allowed families to choose their preferred protein. 

Meal kits were packed into several Amazon trucks at United Way before drivers distributed the kits throughout the local area, including those at the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, United Way Center for Financial Stability, MISSION UNITED, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership and other agency partners.

Event Photos: Take a look at photos from the Thanksgiving Drive.

United Way would like to thank the dedicated sponsors for their support during this year’s Thanksgiving Drive. Feast Sponsors include Amazon, AvMed, Bradesco Bank and Publix. Turkey Sponsors include BB Americas Bank, Level Up Insurance Group and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. 

Media Coverage: Check out the local media coverage from WSVN Channel 7 and WLRN Radio.

Discover the incredible impact of this year’s United Way Miami’s Back-to-School Drive!  Thanks to our generous volunteers and supporters, more than 1,400 children received much-needed backpacks and essential school supplies for the upcoming school year. 

Catch a glimpse of the impact we created, together. 

Changemakers came together over the summer to donate supplies, make online donations, purchase items from our Amazon Wishlist and came out to pack backpacks. Your collective efforts have helped ensure underserved children in our community have the supplies they need for success. 

View Photos: Explore snapshots from our successful Back-to-School Drive. 

All school supplies and backpacks benefited children and families from the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership sites, United Way Center for Financial Stability, MISSION UNITED and United Way agency partners. 

Thanks to our collaboration, we helped ensure children have the necessary tools to thrive academically and achieve their full potential. Building a #StrongerMiami, together.