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Category: Latest News 2024
"Celebrate" From Pitch to Global Stage: eMerge Americas' Black History Month Event
The Miami Beach Economic Development Team attended eMerge Americas' "Celebrate" event, a part of their DEI series commemorating Black History Month. Proudly sponsored by the City of Miami Beach, the event highlighted the city's commitment to fostering inclusivity and innovation in the tech sector.
The event featured pitches by five black-owned startups, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas. Among these presentations was the winning pitch by JEM, a revolutionary social app focused on enhancing community engagement. JEM, short for Join, Engage, Meet, offers users a platform to connect with like-minded individuals, organize events, and foster meaningful interactions.
Notably, the winning startup secured the last spot in eMerge Americas' Global Startup Accelerator + Showcase during the April conference, further propelling their journey to success. Miami Beach's support for events like eMerge Americas underscores its role as a supportive and inclusive tech hub, championing diversity and innovation in the industry. Stay tuned for more updates as Miami Beach continues to empower startups and drive technological advancement forward.
For more information, or to attend the next eMerge DEI series event, click here.
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Over one century ago, on March 26, 1915, Miami Beach was originally incorporated as a town with only 33 registered voters. The humble beginnings of one of America’s most popular cities included plans for mass coconut and fruit farming in the late 1880s and early 1900s. The landscape eventually proved unsuitable for this task, leading investors to envision Miami Beach as a place of unbridled potential for seaside resorts, casinos, and other tourist attractions.
In 1912, Ocean Beach Realty Company was established by the Lummus Brothers, Avery Smith, and others. Located on the northeast corner of Ocean Drive and Biscayne Street, the Company’s wood-frame office became the location of Miami Beach’s incorporation as a town, in response to requests from majority landowners to formally recognize the area.
Miami Beach quickly outgrew township status and was re-incorporated as a city in 1917, but the original incorporation marked the beginning of its transformation into the vibrant, lively community we know today.
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Aspen Ideas: Climate 2024 conference, hosted by the esteemed Aspen Institute, stands as a beacon of hope and innovation in the fight against climate change. For two decades, the conference serves as a gathering of the most incisive, paradigm-shifting bits of insight, and having them presented by (and to) the most active, engaged thinkers in the world. Convened in the Miami Beach Convention Center, the conference showcased environmental solutions and ideas and reached new heights of influence and empowerment, attracting 200+ speakers.
In alignment with the city’s commitment to sustainability, the Miami Beach Economic Development and Environment and Sustainability Departments participated in the conference by activating a Miami Beach booth that served as a destination for businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators with game-changing products, services and solutions. The city team distributed informational materials and engaged in collaborative discussions about the present day and future of climate change and steps.
A focal point of discussion was the City’s Fight the Flood Private Property Adaption Program, a proactive approach to address climate change challenges. The program offers up to $20,000 in matching funds to selected applicants, enabling them to assess their property flood risk and implement necessary improvements. Potential projects include permeable parameters, wet floodproofing, seawalls, and rain gardens. The mission was to education the public on how vulnerable the city is with respect to climate change, and how to mitigate and preserve of our community.
From boutique storefronts to towering skyscrapers, every business is both a stakeholder and a potential agent of change in Miami Beach. Businesses and residents can get involved with the Aspen Institute through social media, social events, supporting their activities, and advocating their solutions. Aspen Ideas: Climate 2024 demonstrated how easy it is to get involved with policy makers, community organizations and businesses to amplify the collective voices of the community. Whether through grassroots activism, or strategic partnerships, the power to drive systemic change and inspire others is simple.
Aspen Ideas Climate: 2024 motto is “when people and ideas meet in the right atmosphere, something magical happens. At Aspen Ideas, we cultivate that magic”. As Aspen Ideas continues to lead by example in the realm of sustainability and climate resilience. As we celebrate their progress, we remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a resilient and vibrant community for generations to come with the help of qualified leaders willing to take on a developing challenge.
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In the heart of Miami Beach, where the iconic bridge proudly boasts the “Welcome to Miami Beach” sign, lies a historical connection to the city’s roots – Julia Tuttle, fondly known as the “Mother of Miami.” Beyond the familiar landmark, Tuttle’s tale stands as a testament to resilience, entrepreneurship, and the transformative power of women in shaping the vibrant tapestry of our local community.
Following the passing of her father, Julia DeForest Tuttle embarked on a remarkable journey from Cleveland, Ohio to Fort Dallas, Florida in 1891. Accompanied by her two children, the 42-year-old widow leveraged the land inherited from her father and her late husband’s resources to acquire 640 acres in the region that would become Miami, setting the stage for a visionary undertaking.
Undeterred by the challenges of the tropical terrain, Tuttle exhibited a pioneering spirit, establishing the area’s first bakery, dairy, and laundry. Recognizing the untapped business potential, Tuttle persisted in her efforts to attract developers and visionaries to join her in building the foundation of a thriving Miami. In a letter to a friend, she wrote, “it may seem strange to you, but it is the dream of my life to see this wilderness turned into a prosperous country.”
Tuttle’s tenacity bore fruit in 1894 when a devastating freeze crippled crops across Florida, sparing only those in Miami. Seizing this opportunity, Tuttle sent fragrant orange blossoms to the influential industrialist and railway tycoon, Henry Flagler. Through her persuasive efforts, Flagler was convinced to extend his railroad to Biscayne Bay in exchange for a portion of Tuttle’s property.
By 1896 the inaugural trains arrived; paving the way for the city’s incorporation and solidifying Julia Tuttle’s place in history as the sole woman to have founded a major U.S. city. Her visionary spirit and unwavering determination continue to resonate in the very fabric of Miami Beach, serving as an inspiration to local businesses and entrepreneurs.
As we celebrate Women’s Month, let us not only acknowledge the profound impact of Julia Tuttle but also draw inspiration from her legacy to foster innovation, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of turning dreams into reality within our beloved Miami Beach community.
