The Allapattah Collaborative, CDC

Save the Date! ?? The Dominican Baseball Gala is coming to the Hyatt Regency Downtown Miami on January 25th! Join us for a night celebrating the incredible achievements of Dominican baseball players and the exciting journey toward establishing a Hall of Fame. This will be a night to honor legends, connect with fans, and embrace our shared passion for the game. All the details are here: https://lnkd.in/eMQXqZg8 There are opportunities for brands at every level to showcase their support. #Dominican #BaseballHallOfFame #DominicanPride #MiamiEvent #sports

?? Celebrating the 9th Graduation of our Small Business Resource Center! ?? We had the honor of recognizing our newest SBRC graduates, a dedicated group of business owners working tirelessly to strengthen Allapattah. Special thanks to Alberto Sardi?as from Univisión and Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela, who joined us to encourage our graduates to keep making a positive impact in our community. Congratulations to all of our graduates, and thank you to everyone who supports our mission to build a thriving Allapattah! ?? #AllapattahCollaborative #SmallBusiness #CommunityEmpowerment

Honored to have hosted a remarkable Roundtable Discussion with HUD’s Assistant Secretary, the Honorable Elizabeth de Leon Bhargava, Esq. Her visit was pivotal in fostering a shared vision for inclusive growth and prosperity in our community. This gathering was about strengthening the partnerships needed to tackle the challenges our community faces. Together, we recognized the resources we already have to create a meaningful impact. #TheAllapattahCollaborativeCDC #CommunityImpact #InclusiveGrowth #PublicPrivatePartnerships #EconomicOpportunity

This article highlights how a small nonprofit successfully retains 98% of its staff through strategic and intentional practices, despite its financial constraints. Key strategies include meeting employees where they are, offering personalized development options, providing unlimited vacation and flexible schedules, aligning staff with the organization’s vision and goals, and maintaining high expectations as a form of respect. While compensation is important, it's not a primary factor in retention. The organization’s approach emphasizes creating a supportive and motivating work environment that aligns with its mission and values. For more information on joining this dynamic team, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Miami is celebrated for its beautiful beaches, vibrant landscapes, and rich cultural diversity, thanks to its Latino and Caribbean communities. However, the city faces significant challenges due to its vulnerability to climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme temperatures, and stronger storms. To protect these communities, especially those in lower-income areas, it’s crucial to create climate-resilient strategies that include the voices of all residents, strengthen natural defenses like mangroves and coral reefs, and build durable, resilient homes. Local governments must prioritize these efforts to ensure a sustainable future for Miami's diverse and vibrant population.

Great news! 10 of our small businesses in Allapattah were awarded as the 2024 Microgrant for Technology and Equipment winners by the Miami Foundation. The Miami Foundation’s Miami Open for Business Program awarded 110 minority-led small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Miami-Dade County with grants to help organizations build generational wealth via asset ownership. This year, 10 businesses from Allapattah won this grant and were awarded as the 2024 Microgrant for Technology and Equipment winners. As a result, our businesses are better able to purchase critical technology, software and equipment assets to expand their business and become more resilient. Below are the names and addresses of our 10 winners: Bodycare Treatments -? 2108 NW 17th Ave, Miami, FL 33142? Elaine’s House of Beauty - 1276 NW 29th St, Miami, FL 33142? El Don Barbershop - 3206 NW 17th Ave, Miami, FL 33142 High-Class Barbershop of Miami - 1460 NW 17th Ave, Miami, FL 33125 La Auxiliadora Dollar Store 2 - 3208 NW 17th St, Miami, FL, FL 33125 La Auxi Dollar Store - 3208 NW 17th St, Miami, FL, FL 33125? El Colmena Mini Market - 2028 NW 21st Ave, Miami, FL 33142 Nama Projects - 1630 SW 17th Ter, Miami, FL 33145 Variedades Isayana - 1640 NW 17th Ave, Miami, FL 33125? Josefina Beauty Salon - 1903 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33135 These winners have participated in our SBRC Cohort and we helped them with technical assistance in that program. We are proud of our growing small businesses and are happy to see them receive the capital that they need to thrive. It is critical for our businesses in Allapattah to have the resources needed to grow their businesses so that we can preserve the cultural authenticity and identity in our community. Let's continue to show our love and support to our local businesses.?

Becoming a Leader for the Hispanic Community in Allapattah Today we're sharing with you the story about our leader: Mileyka Burgos-Flores. Mileyka’s journey to becoming a champion for Allapattah began at a young age. She moved to the United States with her family when she was just five years old. After living in various states, she eventually found her way to South Florida to pursue a degree at the University of Miami. It was during this time that she discovered Allapattah, a neighborhood that would come to hold a special place in her heart. For Mileyka, Allapattah was more than just a place to visit—it was a slice of home. The Dominican hair salons and restaurants in the area reminded her of her childhood, particularly of her mother’s salon and the comforting flavors of Dominican cuisine. In an interview with Main Street America, Mileyka shared that Allapattah “saved [her] at that moment,” offering her a sense of belonging during a time when she was far from home. However, as Mileyka became more involved in the community, she noticed a growing threat to the neighborhood’s unique character: gentrification. The influx of development and rising property values were putting small businesses—the backbone of Allapattah’s economy—at risk of displacement. Determined to protect the community that had given her so much, Mileyka set out to create an equitable economic plan that would help these businesses thrive. Mileyka’s background in community organizing, which began in 2013 through her work with various nonprofits such as the YMCA of South Florida and The Dominican American National Foundation, equipped her with the skills needed to take on this challenge. With guidance from Manuel Ochoa, a mentor and friend from the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB), Mileyka learned how to develop a comprehensive plan that would support local businesses while preserving Allapattah’s cultural identity. In 2019, after years of planning and collaboration, Mileyka officially launched The Allapattah Collaborative CDC. As the first nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting small businesses in Allapattah, the CDC quickly became a vital resource for the community. Through her leadership, Mileyka has not only helped safeguard the economic well-being of Allapattah’s residents but also ensured that the neighborhood’s rich cultural heritage continues to flourish. Today, The Allapattah Collaborative CDC stands as a testament to Mileyka’s vision and dedication. Her work has empowered countless small business owners, preserving the vibrancy of Allapattah for future generations. Mileyka Burgos-Flores has truly become a leader for the Hispanic community in Allapattah, transforming challenges into opportunities and ensuring that the neighborhood she loves remains a place where others can find their own sense of home.

On August 6th, we had the honor of having Vicente Pimenta, a google digital coach, join us to host a workshop on launching your business with client-orientated marketing. In this workshop, small business owners learned how to make a convincing marketing tactic, define their audience to match their marketing strategies, convince customers to buy products, generate loyalty, and attract new customers. Thanks to the popularity of the event, over 50 business owners were in attendance and learned how to expand their business marketing strategy. This workshop was hosted in collaboration with Grow with Google, Florida Blue, and M10. Grow with Google is a new collaboration with the Allapattah Collaborative CDC, sparked by Google’s recognition of Allapattah Collaborative CDC as a Community Impact Partner for our commitment to help small businesses thrive. This initiative has worked to boost the confidence of our business owners and educate them about the benefits of various topics and we have an upcoming event this September 10th to talk about "Plan optimization" on Zoom.

Felipe Alou is a baseball star among America's #MLB, but a grandfather of Dominican Baseball to all that have benefited from his outstanding leadership. This is why we are proud to count with his support to launch Dominicanos Baseball Hall of Fame in #Miami, and are excited about the historic significance of this feat. Here is a highlight of Mr. Alou's career: * First Dominican Player in MLB: Felipe Alou was one of the first players from the Dominican Republic to make it to Major League #Baseball, debuting with the San Francisco Giants in 1958. * All-Star Appearances: Alou was selected as an All-Star three times during his playing career (1962, 1966, 1968), showcasing his talent and consistency on the field. * 1966 Batting Title Contender: In 1966, Felipe Alou finished second in the National League batting race with a .327 average, narrowly missing out on the batting title. * Successful Managerial Career: After his playing days, Alou transitioned to managing. He became the first Dominican-born manager in MLB, leading the Montreal Expos from 1992 to 2001. He later managed the San Francisco Giants from 2003 to 2006. * Contributions to Baseball Development: Alou played a significant role in the development of baseball in the Dominican Republic, mentoring and paving the way for future generations of Dominican players to succeed in the MLB.

Miami's Little Santo Domingo is going to be home to the Dominicanos Baseball Hall of Fame, and here are five reasons why that is important: 1. Little Santo Domingo is at risk of disappearing. It was named one of the Top 11 Most Endangered Places in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 2. Dominicans in #Baseball opened roads for racial integration . People like Felipe Alou and Juan Marichal endured much discrimination with the vision of paving the way for what is today's America's Favorite Pastime. We need to honor their legacy. 3. In a city like Miami that reinvents itself every few years, preserving history is a form of revolution - a way to balance constant evolution with deepening roots and a sense of history. Miami needs this! 4. There are 58,000 #Dominicans in #Miami, a significant number that contributes to the local economy and culture. Celebrating the Dominican baseball legacy in Little Santo Domingo will represent economic development for the area. 5. It is going to be epic! Follow The Allapattah Collaborative here on LinkedIn to stay up to date. Tickets for the gala event will go on sale at the end of the summer.