GRATIFIED TO HAVE MY PHOTOGRAPHY AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACTIVISM RECOGNIZED WITH A PROCLAMATION

BY THE HONORABLE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY COMMISSIONER EILEEN HIGGINS

Thrilled to give a special tour of my Little Havana photography exhibit to the Honorable Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins.

I was honored to received an official Miami-Dade County Commendation recognizing my art and activism.

Commissioner Higgins has proudly represented Little Havana by ensuring there is funding to preserve great buildings with affordable housing.

I’m am thankful, proud and gratified to receive recognition of my tireless work to make Miami a better place.

There are so many stories to tell about Little Havana.

It is a rich tapestry of historic buildings, trailblazing immigrants, world class artists, renowned musicians, mom and pop restaurants and growing nightlife scene.

I have happily called Little Havana home for more than two decades.

I bought an old house in very bad shape and lovingly restored what is now a lovely Spanish Mission Style century old abode that fronts historic William Jennings Bryan Park.

I told Little Havana’s stories when I worked from Miami City Commissioner Joe Sanchez.

Thanks to our efforts, more than three million people visit the famous Calle Ocho corridor each year.

But as Little Havana becomes popular, it also is under threat.

The high rise Brickell district has somewhat jumped west of I-95.

The buildings are not skyscrapers, but dozens of bland, faceless buildings – with expensive rents – have replaced quaint, small, beautiful 3-story Mediterranean and Art Deco buildings that have supplied affordable housing in Little Havana for decades.

When I went on a journey that resulted in losing far more than 100 pounds, I started walking my neighborhood.

I photographed the backstreets.

I documented the lovely apartments, houses, churches and commercial buildings.