Keeping it Civil · Miami's 130 — And Where We Go Next

An honest conversation about who gets to stay and who gets to call Miami home. Three generations. One night. October 2 at Barry.
About this Event

Miami turns 130 this year.

The city carved out of Coconut Grove and Lemon City in 1896 is now the front line of nearly every national question about who belongs here — housing, TPS and ICE, DEI rollback, property tax, voting rights, and the memory of who built the place.

Keeping it Civil · Miami's 130 puts three generations of Miami neighbors in one room, on one night, for a civic dialogue about what this city is, who it's for, and where we go next.

Not a panel. Not a candidate forum. Not politics as usual.

A fishbowl — three generational rounds (elders, working-age Miamians, and young voices) seated at the center of the room, invited into a circle, asked one honest question, and heard without cross-talk. Framed through arts and community voice. Captured on video.

Presented by South Florida People of Color and Power for Good Consulting.

The evening

5:30 PM · Doors + Art Reception in the Monsignor William Barry Library

Guests are invited to gather in the library over light food and wine and experience Entrelazado Perpetuo / Perpetual Intertwining, a solo exhibition by Miami-based artist Leandro Vazquez, presented by the Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator (DVCAI) at Barry University.

Vazquez's monumental abstract paintings and sculptural installations investigate shelter as both a physical structure and a metaphor for protection, adaptation, and home. Born in Argentina and raised across Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, his work reflects on migration, displacement, resilience, and belonging — the very questions at the heart of Keeping it Civil. Curated by Rosie Gordon-Wallace (DVCAI) and guest curator Tomas Vu (Columbia University).

Voter registration tabling with partner organizations — three days before the October 5 voter registration deadline.

6:00 PM · Fishbowl Program in the Andreas Room

Three rounds tracing Miami's arc from past to present to future. Three honest questions. One room.

• Round 1 · The Land · Past. Environment and housing — habitat loss, overdevelopment, affordability, the property-tax debate, and the climate crisis reshaping who can afford to stay.
• Round 2 · The People · Present. Immigration and belonging — immigrant rights, TPS, and the economic and civic contributions of the people who make Miami Miami.
• Round 3 · The Charter and What We're Charting Forth · Future. Miami's DNA — civil rights history, the DEI rollback and SB 1134, and the fight over voting rights three days before the October 5 registration deadline.

Anchors and active voices will be announced in the coming weeks.

8:30 PM · Program ends. Mingle until 9:00.

Sponsor this room

Keeping it Civil is a working coalition, and the room is built by the community it belongs to. Sponsorship at every level makes the fishbowl possible — from underwriting speaker honoraria to the recap reel that carries the night to those who couldn't be there.

Anchor · Champion · Vanguard · Amplifier · Bridge Builder — five tiers, each named on the recap reel and event marketing.

To become a partner, email Roni Bennett at [email protected] or call 305.814.4063. Sponsorship package available on request.