Little Haiti is the heart and soul of SoFlo’s Haitian American community. Even as the community has spread to North Miami, Broward County, and stretches of northern and southern Miami-Dade, it remains the home of beloved cultural landmarks and businesses.

In the past decade, longtime locals have worked to maintain that cultural identity as the neighborhood has become a major target for both commercial and residential development.

With all of the focus on the area, we’re taking a look at Little Haiti but want to hear from you all.

So tell us: What questions do you have about Little Haiti’s history, culture, or character?

We’ll select three of your questions to put up to a vote. The winning question will be the one we dive into and answer in a few weeks!

Submit your questions here.

While we like to think every day is Mother’s Day (hi Mom!), this Sunday is the annual reminder to celebrate all of the mother figures in your life (hey Abuelita!).

We pulled together a few ideas on how to honor the special ones in your life by spending the day together: take a bike ride on Old Cutler Trail, visit Miami Seaquarium for free, enjoy a picnic at Deering Estate, plus others.

Take a moment and celebrate her.

PRODUCED BY THE NEW TROPIC CREATIVE STUDIO WITH BAPTIST HEALTH

After years of being a taboo subject, medical marijuana and cannabis are the talk of the state. Florida lawmakers approved a statewide program for regulating the growth and use of hemp, and a ban on smokable medical marijuana was also eliminated in this past legislative session.

In fact, the growing cannabis business is booming so much that it’s even impacting the black market for farming the plant in Miami.

But the stigma around marijuana hasn’t been fully erased as a recent Miami New Times story revealed. Nova Southeastern University student Kaitlin McKeon was dismissed from the school’s nursing program for failing a drug test.

She tested positive for marijuana after using the plant to treat chronic stomach cancer pain. McKeon is now suing Nova, and hopes her case sheds light on the stigma still hanging over use of the drug.

In other news…

Memorial Day weekend has been a lightning rod of controversy in recent years as many critics think the city’s added safety measures and police presence are mostly meant to deter black tourists from spending time in Miami Beach. So city officials reached out to local artists of color to curate shows and programs in an effort to shift the narrative surrounding the holiday. (Miami New Times, The Miami Times)

Did you notice agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried’s headshot the last time you pumped gas? Her office recently installed bright stickers on pumps across the state in an effort to let residents know about the state’s fraud reporting hotline and website. The stickers aren’t a new idea for the office, but having the commissioner’s face on the notices is a new touch — and some critics think it’s more political ad than public service. (Miami Herald)

The 143 people who survived a scary accident on a Miami Air flight this past weekend will be getting paid by the airline. The company is paying $2,500 to each passenger after the plane skidded off a runway in Jacksonville and into the St. John’s River. (WJCT)

Churromania of Little Havana is bringing tasty goodness to Calle Ocho on May 29. But if you don’t want to wait, you can get an early taste test of some delicious churros at our Living in Little Havana event.

Get your tickets now, and join us on May 15 for churros, chocolate, small bites, arts and culture, and more!

– The New Tropic