The Miami Foundation and Knight Foundation partner to invite county residents to find common ground across lines of difference

(Black PR Wire) - MIAMI -- As communities across the nation grapple with an inflammatory racial and political climate, there is an increased need for spaces where people can find common ground through shared experiences and open dialogue. That's a main driver behind The Miami Foundation's My Miami Story conversations, an effort to get thousands of Miami-Dade County residents to sit down with each other on Tuesday, October 17th, over a meal, snack or cafecito, and share their personal stories about life in the county. By understanding how we each came to this community, why we stay here, what we value about it and what how we can make it better, we uncover the common narrative about what matters to us as Miamians and connect around solutions that enhance life in Greater Miami.

 "There is much more we have in common than what divides us," said Javier Alberto Soto, president and CEO of The Miami Foundation. "My Miami Story conversations are about discovering how our connections to this community actually unite us as residents within it. It's an important step to increasing our understanding of each other and helping every Miamian take ownership of improving quality of life here."

Now in its second year, My Miami Story is a community engagement initiative driven by The Miami Foundation with additional support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Miami is one of 10 cities across the U.S. selected to replicate the initiative with funding from Knight Foundation.

In 2016, close to 2,000 Miamians participated in the inaugural My Miami Story conversations. More than 160 residents and organizations signed up to host 6 to 12 people in homes, restaurants, classrooms, offices and outside in neighborhood parks. Discussions ranged from local transit to housing, affordability, the need for more equity across Miami-Dade and other issues in the 2016 Our Miami Report. A post-survey distributed to participants found that more than half spoke with people they didn't already know and many of them exchanged contact information. About a quarter made specific plans to work with each other on civic efforts. Participants also found the discussions clarifying with a majority saying they better understood community issues and had a sense of how to address their concerns. Building on the momentum of Connect Miami and with additional support from Knight Foundation, the goal is to double resident participation this year.

My Miami Story is part of a larger national initiative, supported by Knight Foundation in 10 cities across the country, which aims to bring residents together in small mealtime conversations to talk about ways to make their neighborhoods stronger, safer and more dynamic. It is based on the success of The Chicago Community Trust's On the Table initiative.

"My Miami Story conversations will highlight the incredible diversity and possibilities present in our communities," said Chris Caines, Knight Foundation interim program director for Miami. "Bringing together Miamians of all backgrounds and experiences to discuss pressing issues and collectively develop solutions to challenges is needed now more than ever. At the same time, as part of a national initiative, it is a chance to share lessons with cities across the country."

Several leading Greater Miami organizations and residents have already signed on as conversation host partners to champion the effort:

- Florida Memorial University - Cynthia Curry, executive vice president

- MCCJ Roberta Shevin, executive director

- Miami Fellows alumni

- Miami Herald - Nancy Ancrum, editorial board editor

- Radical Partners - Rebecca Fishman Lipsey, founder

- The Children's Trust - Stephanie Sylvestre, chief programs officer

- United Way of Miami-Dade - Claudia Grillo, chief operating officer

- Marlon Hill - attorney and board member, Orange Bowl Committee and Miami

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- David Lawrence, Jr. - chair of The Children's Movement of Florida

- Mayra Lindsay - mayor of the Village of Key Biscayne

- Dennis Scholl - CEO, ArtCenter/South Florida

- Don Slesnick - former mayor of Coral Gables

Anyone can sign up to host a My Miami Story conversation. Hosts will receive a simple toolkit with tips on planning and guiding the discussion. The Miami Foundation also invites all conversation participants to register as guests to ensure they receive a postsurvey. If a resident would like to participate as a conversation guest but does not already know of one to attend, they may register as a guest and the Foundation will connect them with the host of an open conversation. To register as a host or guest and for more information, visit mymiamistory.org.

 About The Miami Foundation: Established in 1967, The Miami Foundation uses civic leadership, community investment and philanthropy to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Greater Miami home. For 50 years, we have partnered with individuals, families and corporations who have created more than 1,000 personalized, philanthropic Funds. Thanks to them, we have awarded over $240 million in grants and currently manage $300 million in assets to build a better Miami. As the Foundation marks our 50th anniversary, our commitment is to foster those passions that spur people to give -  a sense of being connected to and investing in our community's past, present and future - for a more resilient tomorrow. Learn more at miamifoundation.org.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation: Knight Foundation is a national foundation with strong local roots. We invest in journalism, in the arts, and in the success of cities where brothers John S. and James L. Knight once published newspapers. Our goal is to foster informed and engaged communities, which we believe are essential for a healthy democracy.

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