SFPoC – South Florida People of Color

Celebrating 10 Years of Amplifying Voices

Today, April 5th, marks South Florida People of Color’s (SFPoC) 10th anniversary! Since our founding in 2015, we’ve worked to amplify diverse voices, foster equity and inclusion, and create brave spaces for dialogue and growth. Through award-winning programs like Awkward Dinners, Unity360 Community Dialogues, and Redline Historical Bus Tours, we’ve empowered communities to confront systemic inequities and build connections across differences.

As we reflect on the past decade, we also look ahead to the future. Later this fall, we will host a special celebration to honor this milestone and reaffirm our commitment to shaping resilient communities rooted in truth, connection, and love.

Visit our website to read more about our journey and why our work matters now more than ever. Together, we can continue building an equitable future for all.

Transforming South Florida – Be Part of Our Impact!

Why Your Support Matters Now
Despite political headwinds, our commitment to equity remains unwavering. We've demonstrated resilience and adaptability, continuing to deliver innovative programming that creates lasting change.

Since 2015, South Florida People of Color has created brave spaces where understanding grows, and real change happens. In 2024, we’ve touched over 20,000+ lives through groundbreaking programs that inspire transformation, like our Awkward Dinners and Unity360 Dialogues.

Connecting the Dots: Emancipation, Resistance, and the Unfinished Business of Freedom

The arc of Black liberation doesn’t run in a straight line—it loops, bends, and bleeds. From May to July, we cross a battlefield of anniversaries—Haitian Flag Day, Malcolm X’s centennial, Florida’s Emancipation Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, and the 13th Amendment. These are not feel-good moments for social media clout. They are radical reminders: freedom is fragile, incomplete, and always under attack.

The Power of Speech: A New Year's Reflection on Creating Change

As we welcomed 2025, I stood in a stranger's home, surrounded by family and friends, reflecting on the wisdom shared by the host during a midnight sermon. Their message centered on Proverbs 18:21: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." These words, resonating deeply with me, evoked memories of Dr. Tameka Bradley Hobbs’ powerful speech at a South Florida People of Color (SFPoC) event years ago. Both moments left an indelible mark, shaping my understanding of the profound responsibility we carry through our words.

In his first two weeks as president, Donald Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders, some aimed at rolling back civil rights advancements and purging the federal government of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, more commonly known as DEI.

“The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military,” Trump’s Jan. 20 Executive Order states.

By Raisa Habersham

February 01, 2025 4:30 AM

Revealing America's True Face: Systemic Oppression and the Illusion of Innocence

In light of recent events, this article challenges the notion that America is innocent or exceptional. It traces the deep-seated roots of systemic oppression—from the Doctrine of Discovery to today’s inequalities in immigration, justice, and gender equity. To achieve genuine unity and liberation, Americans must confront the uncomfortable truth about the systems that sustain racial, economic, and gender-based oppression. Only through acknowledging this history can we begin dismantling it and striving toward a society grounded in justice and equity for all.

A candid conversation about diversity and inclusivity in Miami

Shaun Swanger, Swire Properties’ Senior Vice President of People and Operations, and Roni Bennett, Executive Director of South Florida People of Color, sat down for a candid conversation about diversity and inclusivity in Miami and Swire Properties’ work with South Florida People of Color. For the last 4 years, Swire has partnered with this nonprofit organization that is bridging differences through education and facilitating meaningful dialogue to foster equity and a sense of community in South Florida.

The 20th of May: The History and Heritage of Florida’s Emancipation Day Digital History Project is an online portal documenting nearly 160 years of the history and culture celebrating the 20th of May, Florida’s Emancipation Day.

The 20th of May, Florida’s historic emancipation celebration, has been observed in many Florida communities with the majority of the state’s Black population since 1865. In fact, in St. Augustine and Key West, because of the presence of the U.S. Army during the U.S. Civil War, Black people celebrated emancipation as early as 1863....

We are committed to creating a transformative experience that fosters healing and advances a society built on equity and inclusivity.

We curate enriching and educational community programs that celebrate diverse perspectives and empower individuals with different identities to connect and collaborate. Through the exploration of history, arts, and culture, we aim to foster meaningful dialogues that pave the way for healing, genuine inclusiveness, and a sense of belonging.

We firmly believe that sustainable transformation starts with nurturing relationships, addressing conflicts, implementing strategies to dismantle oppression, and actively advocating for change.

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