Plus, Miami movers and shakers share how donations can make a difference.
Hello and welcome to Thursday — a.k.a. Give Miami Day!
Today we’ve got an extra-special edition of The New Tropic dedicated to one of the most important days in Miami.
Today’s newsletter is all about giving back to the city that we love and how you, our fine readers, can make a difference. We’re featuring three organizations highlighted by proud Miamians, but there are hundreds — almost 900 more! — organizations you can help today.
🗣 Why Miami’s talking about Giving Tuesday
To inspire you on Give Miami Day, we talked to three local influencers about the organizations they’re supporting today. Interviews are lightly edited for clarity and length.
Why John Lin’s supporting Locust Projects
Although John Lin’s a native to Detroit, he’s more than made Miami his own since moving here. After moving down south in 2004, he ventured off to Paris only to resettle in the Magic City once again in 2010. He’s held a variety of roles in his creative career, including stints as a curator, event producer, and contributing editor. In addition to working with the Pérez Art Museum Miami, The National Young Arts Foundation, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, Lin also serves on the Board of Directors of Locust Projects. Lin spoke with The New Tropic about why the alternative art gallery and exhibition space plays an outsized role in making Miami a great place to live.
Which non-profit are you supporting for Give Miami Day 2020?
Locust Projects. I met them around 2012 or 2013 and started going to [fundraisers] like the Smash & Grab and the Spring Fling. I liked how they didn’t just help sell local artists, they helped artists become part of a community in Miami. They were there to foster community so artists can thrive. I always think artists are the backbone of a community: They have a voice for everyone who’s not represented and they do it through creative work.
Why is this cause important to you?
So during the pandemic, Locust basically kept everything going for the artists in the community. They previously took over Cannonball and merged with LegalARTLink, so they worked on a lot of pro bono legal services for artists while they were dealing with the pandemic, including canceled contracts. Locust also does the WaveMaker grants, continued that all throughout the pandemic, and wound up giving emergency relief grants. They’re trying to keep money and artists thriving during the pandemic.
How does this organization make a difference for the larger Miami community?
They support the community in ways people don’t see — people forget about artists.
How can people help this nonprofit and its cause beyond Give Miami Day?
Locust has two fundraisers — the Smash & Grab and the Spring Fling — and they have a membership program. I think it’s most important for people to go and discoverwhat they actually do… they do a lot more than just exhibit art. Everything is socially distanced by all the COVID-19 protocols, so if people feel comfortable and safe, they can go and see the space. Spending time and getting to know organizations is important; I think that’s what’s going to help down the line.
You can learn more about Locust Projects and make a donation for Give Miami Day 2020 here.
Why Soraya Kilgore is supporting No More Tears
Soraya Kilgore is a pastry chef who was born in Honduras and moved to the U.S. in 2005. She has an ice cream shop in Design District she opened in 2018 with her husband Brad, a chef and restaurant owner. He opened Alter back in 2014 and the Brava in the Adrienne Arsht Center a year after. Then the couple opened Kaido and Ember in the Miami Design District.
Which nonprofit are you supporting for Give Miami Day 2020 and why?
No More Tears. The organization works to assist and empower victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.
Last year we were approached by our dear friend Erin Newberg, who is on the board for No More Tears. My husband was extremely touched by the stories from the ladies and we decided to make it our charity of choice moving forward.
They help women, men, and children regain control of their lives. It is absolutely inspiring to see the strength of the survivors. We hope to work with them for years to come.
How does this organization make a difference for the larger Miami community?
This organization makes Miami better by battling a disease that we have just under the covers of our day-to-day lives. Most people don’t realize that all this is happening under our noses to people that can’t defend themselves, they are being trafficked, stripped of their dignity and we can’t allow that. This could happen to anyone.
You can learn more about No More Tears and make a donation for Give Miami Day 2020 here.
Why Soraya Kilgore is supporting No More Tears
Soraya Kilgore is a pastry chef who was born in Honduras and moved to the U.S. in 2005. She has an ice cream shop in Design District she opened in 2018 with her husband Brad, a chef and restaurant owner. He opened Alter back in 2014 and the Brava in the Adrienne Arsht Center a year after. Then the couple opened Kaido and Ember in the Miami Design District.
Which nonprofit are you supporting for Give Miami Day 2020 and why?
No More Tears. The organization works to assist and empower victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.
Last year we were approached by our dear friend Erin Newberg, who is on the board for No More Tears. My husband was extremely touched by the stories from the ladies and we decided to make it our charity of choice moving forward.
They help women, men, and children regain control of their lives. It is absolutely inspiring to see the strength of the survivors. We hope to work with them for years to come.
How does this organization make a difference for the larger Miami community?
This organization makes Miami better by battling a disease that we have just under the covers of our day-to-day lives. Most people don’t realize that all this is happening under our noses to people that can’t defend themselves, they are being trafficked, stripped of their dignity and we can’t allow that. This could happen to anyone.
You can learn more about No More Tears and make a donation for Give Miami Day 2020 here.
Why Chris Adamo is supporting the Black Philanthropy Fund
Chris Adamo is the Chief Business Officer at WhereBy.Us, the parent company of The New Tropic. In addition to the newsletter, he’s also worked with The Wolfsonian—FIU and The Miami Foundation, the organizers of Give Miami Day. He took the time to speak with us about why he’s supporting one of the groups combating systemic racism in the city.
Which nonprofit are you supporting for Give Miami Day 2020?
I’ve been raising funds and awareness for The Racial Equity Fund created by The Miami Foundation throughout 2020. One of the most impactful outcomes of this initiative has been the formation of the Black Philanthropy Fund. I’d highly recommend readers check this out and consider donating their dollars towards organizations outside of their usual network.
Why is this cause important to you?
I’ve always made it a point to connect and be a conduit for worlds that don’t often intersect. Now more than ever, people are realizing the importance of making our communities equitable and uniting them for the future. With the country turning a renewed focus on racial equity, we have seen that there is a gap in philanthropic support for Black-led organizations. We need to be the change we want to see in the world, and that starts with awareness and continues with action.
How does this organization make a difference for the larger Miami community?
The Black Philanthropy Fund is just one gesture towards remedying how often Black-led organizations have been overlooked by large donors. Donations will go a long way in providing resources directly to Black leaders who can advocate best on behalf of their community.
How can people help this nonprofit and its cause beyond Give Miami Day?
I’d recommend lending your social and network capital to community members around Miami who might be outside of your usual circle. Creating new connection points is a crucial step in creating a better, brighter future for all.
You can learn more about the Black Philanthropy Fund and make a donation for Give Miami Day 2020 here.
Photos courtesy of John Lin, Brad and Soraya Kilgore (by Ruben Cabrera), and Chris Adamo.
🎉 Last chance to win
Join Club New Tropic today for your last chance to enter to win a staycation at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura. The hotel and grounds just went through extensive renovations including the addition of Tidal Cove, a world-class waterpark with slides and a lazy river. We’ll be announcing the winner in this space tomorrow!
Today
🌙 Groove in the garden after dark with DJ Le Spam (Miami Beach)
🎧 Join The Children’s Movement of Florida for a Give Miami Day party featuring live tunes from Gene Paul (Online)
👾 Learn the basics of coding by building your own game (Online)
🎶 Jam to a live gypsy flamenco performance by Andre Carvajal at the Doral Yard (Doral)
💃 Dance to electropical tunes selected by Mr. Pauer during the North Beach Social’s free livestream (Online)
🐟 Help conserve Florida’s coral with Ideas for Sea Change: Citizen Science & Reef Restoration (Online)
Tomorrow
✊ Tune in to Young People Big Dreams, a livestream concert benefiting Power U Center for Social Change (Online)
🌳 Local artist Barbara Fernandez and light artist Javier Riera present “A Growing Transparency” (Deering Estate) (sponsored)
Saturday
🎥 Watch a screening of Almost Christmas! at the Sandrell Rivers Theater (Little River)
😻 Tune in to watch The Whiskars Pet Awards Show to benefit the Humane Society of Greater Miami (Online)
Sunday
😋 Groove and munch at the Soul Brunch featuring a live performance by R&B songstress, Yoli Mayor, at the Doral Yard (Doral)
Monday
🎥 Get weird with director Alex Winter’s documentary about iconic and experimental rocker Frank Zappa (Coral Gables)
Tuesday
🍺 Sip rare craft beers at this guided tasting with the experts at BXLDER Miami (Wynwood)
Wednesday
🎨 Learn about Raúl De Nieves’s sculptural work and musical collaborations at the Eternal Return and the Obsidian Heart exhibit at MOCA (North Miami)
✌️ That’s a wrap on Thursday
Want to hear more about Give Miami Day? Follow us on Instagram, as we’ll be going live throughout the day to share more about worthwhile causes you can support.
See you around the internet and be kind out there,
— Zach & The New Tropic