4 Miami leaders who embody the spirit of MLK...and why they deserve our attention.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Monday January 15, 2018 marked the national celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. MLK Day is a great time to reflect on how local communities are keeping the spirit of Dr. King alive. The bigger question looms about how we keep the momentum of leadership and service going year round. I believe we have the ability to truly honor the legacy of Dr. King, by amplifying support of local leaders who are continuing the important work of Dr. King.

Here is a profile of 4 extraordinary leaders in Miami that are driving impact and justice in the spirit of Dr. King.

Marlon Hill, Esq.:

Marlon Hill of the law firm Hamilton, Miller & Birthsiel has taken upon himself to lead in supporting the students of Brownsville Middle School. Through a novel partnership with the school over the last 3+ years, Marlon has helped to support in the creation of a legal studies program at the school. Countless students have been able to get connected to lawyers as mentors and also participate in field trips to courtrooms. A major accomplishment of this initiative is the over $130,000 that Marlon's firm has raised to create a mock courtroom at the school and which the School board has agreed to match the funds. Marlon has shown that Dr. King's commitment to the arc of justice can be made through intentional actions every single day. More about Brownsville Law Academy Here

Leigh-Ann Buchanan, Esq.:

In addition to being the rockstar connector at the heart of VentureCafe Miami, lawyer and leader Leigh-Ann Buchanan is founder of the bold social enterprise the Nyah Project. In Swahili, Nyah means purpose. That's why she believes in the power of developing youth leaders through transformative experiences abroad and discover their true purpose. Each year Nyah selects a talented cohort of diverse teens from underserved communities as Nyah Project Fellows. The fellows learn by doing: from social entrepreneurship and human factor leadership to exploring new cultures and exposure to world's beyond their reach in amazing international destinations, including Ghana, Costa Rica, South Africa, and Namibia- at no cost to them! 100% of Nyah graduating fellows are admitted to college or university, and 90% win scholarships to support their post-secondary studies. The work that Leigh-Ann is doing both locally and internationally is proof that Dr. King's legacy of investing in young leaders truly lives on. More about Nyah Project

Brandon Okpalobi:

There are few leaders in Miami that so poetically capture the spirit of noble service than Brandon. Brandon is a multi-talented entrepreneur who has built a sports and high impact athletic training enterprise at an unprecedented rate and scale. Brandon's background as an accomplished collegiate basketball player has resulted in anywhere from NBA superstars to neighborhood kids seeking out his wisdom and talent. Brandon is also a former BME fellow and former Miami Fellow. Brandon's crowning community achievement has been in the creation of DibiaDream.

DREAM is a community outreach initiative that harnesses the preexisting motivational foundation in youth. Brandon's team helps young people bridge their desire for excellence, leadership and sports and in the process develop a lifelong core value systems. Dream translates the skills that are required to win in sports into skills that are required to win at life. Brandon's team operated programs in schools in both Miami and New Orleans with plans to expand elsewhere in the country. Brandon's commitment to developing young people is emblematic of how Dr. King's notion of the 'beloved community' starts with the work we do in building the next generation. More about Dream

Fritzie Saintoiry:

Fritzie is a veritable patron saint of young people coming from the foster care system and this was an impetus for her in launching Genesis Hopeful Haven. GHH strives to give vulnerable children a safe place, a fresh start, and hope for the future. GHH focuses on the areas of greatest need within the foster care system- keeping siblings together and assisting children who are aging out of foster care. GHH's two homes in South Dade provide children with a stable, loving environment to live and grow. More about Genesis Hopeful Haven

Fritzie's tireless work for our community's often forgotten foster care population is representative of Dr. King's spirit of being a light in the life of others. GHH utilizes a holistic approach to meeting the needs of at-risk youth in foster care so they can grow into self-sufficient adults who are active participants in their community.  

Conclusion:

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' "- Martin Luther King Jr. 

If we want to collectively ensure the work of Dr. King is honored beyond MLK Day, it means that we all have to find ways to embrace leaders like the ones mentioned in this piece. Brandon, Leigh-Ann, Fritzie & Marlon are honoring the sacrifices of Dr. King in an ongoing way and truly embody Dr. King's ethos of service - How are we helping them?

What role can we all play in supporting and scaling the impact of change makers like Brandon, Leigh-Ann, Marlon, Fritzie and others??