11-04-2025
The 44 Percent: Liberty Square, LeBron James, Circle of Brotherhood
This past week I got to visit two different housing developments in Liberty City. At the Buena Vista apartments, formerly Lincoln Fields, residents now have a new security service through Miami nonprofit the Circle of Brotherhood. Not far from there is Serenity at Liberty Square, which is the fourth in a nine-phase overhaul of Liberty Square, a housing development that was once plagued with crime. Twenty-seven families moved back into the property this month.
The two properties tell a story of how Black communities are invested in and what is the best way to go about it without displacing or neglecting residents. At the end of the day, Black people just want safe, clean and affordable housing. Somewhere along the way, residents were put on the back burner.
I've seen that story many times in other cities I've lived in. My hope is that Black residents in historically Black communities always are part of the equation when it comes to investment and safety. But reality tells me it will always be an uphill battle for the basic necessities.
'We are there to serve': Miami nonprofit hired to provide security at public housing complex
Buena Vista public housing development, formerly known as Lincoln Fields, has a new security service courtesy of the Circle of Brotherhood.
As I reported: 'In what is being described as the first program of its kind, Miami nonprofit organization, Circle of Brotherhood, was hired to provide security for a Liberty City public housing project. In order to reduce crime and foster positive relationships in the community, the management of the Buena Vista public housing complex contracted the local nonprofit which focuses on community policing rather than use private security or hiring off-duty police officers.'
'Rent is too damn high.' Interfaith group demands action from Miami-Dade leaders
After hearing the concerns from renters and Miami faith leaders about eviction concerns as rents continue to rise, Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced a $3 million commitment to an eviction diversion program.
As our faith and religion reporter Lauren Costantino reported: 'The commitment from the mayor came after members of PACT (People Acting for Community Together) laid out some facts about renting and evictions in Miami-Dade County. Last year alone, 19,000 evictions were filed, and there are probably more that went undocumented, according to PACT members.'
It's been a decade since Freddie Gray died. His twin reflects on her brother, not a martyr.
Fredricka Gray, twin sister of Freddie Gray, spoke to the Baltimore Banner about how she's coping with the loss of her brother 10 years after his death. Gray was arrested, shackled and loaded into a police van, but died from a trip that left him with a severe spinal cord injury, the Banner's Jasmine Vaughn-Hall reported. His death was ruled a homicide. Fredricka Gray talked about her grief with Hall.
LeBron James makes history with his Ken doll
*In my Barbie voice* 'Hi Lebron!' The NBA All-Star and four-time champ is now a Ken doll. He is the first professional male athlete to be depicted as one, the Associated Press reported, as part of Mattel's 'Kenbassador' series. The doll will be available Monday for $75.
Black Maternal Health & Wellness Community Workshop
The maternal mortality rate for Black women remains high with 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the CDC. That number is significantly higher than that of white (19), Latina (16.9) and Asian (13.2) women.
To quell concerns of Black women and expecting mothers, FIU is holding a Black Maternal Health Workshop on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the North Miami Florida Blue Center to offer support and provide information on topics such as pre-eclampsia and nutrition.
Where does 'The 44 Percent' name come from? Click here to find out how Miami history influenced the newsletter's title.
