SOUTH FLORIDA – South Florida Caribbean News caught up with Ruban Roberts-President, Miami-Dade chapter of the NAACP, who shared some historical background and how the chapter plans to energize their message and narrative in the upcoming months.
Q How has the mission of the NAACP’s Miami-Dade Chapter if at all changed?
A: Our primary mission of advocating for the Civil Rights for all is still consistent with the foundational values of the National office of the NAACP. Locally we have put more focus on inviting younger community members to be a part of our organization through community forums and partnerships. We know that the lifeblood of the Miami -Dade Branch is active memberships advocating for causes that directly impact our community.
Additionally, we are focused on bringing in more of our Caribbean brothers and sisters, through our focus on advocating for the Temporary Protective Status (TPS). We will continue to host our series of Unity in the Community town hall discussions to address racial dynamics internally and externally. We are also advocating for inclusion with governmental entities regarding access to contracts and employment opportunities in Construction and Service industry.
Q: How do you use some of the foundation work of the Miami -Dade chapter of the NAACP throughout history to advance social justice further today?
A: We are continuously fighting for the rights of the underserved. We are playing a significant role in the refunding of the Independent Review Panel (IRP), now known as the Independent Civilian Panel. This is an oversight panel which hears the complaints from local citizens regarding Miami- Dade Police and Miami Dade-County employee’s discourteous interactions or civil rights violations of residents.
The IRP was founded after the McDuffie Riots in 1980 and was defunded during the housing crisis in 2008. I chaired the working committee established by Commissioner Barbara Jordan and the Board of County Commission (BCC) to update the current ordinance through research and expert testimony.
After we submitted all of our reports the BCC approved or recommendations, however Mayor Gimenez vetoed it due to disagreement with our sponsor, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbra Jordan on the composition of the panel. We needed our people to show up in numbers and let the commissioner know that this oversight committee is much is necessary for community members voices to be heard.
This is one example of many opportunities of how the community can help the cause for social justice.
Q: What were some of the critical issues that were worked on this year?
- Funding the IRP(Independent Review Panel)
- Addressing the racist firefighter incident where white and Hispanic City of Miami Fire Fighters admitted to drawing pornographic images on the family photos of LT. Webster, a Black Fire Fighter Family. A hangman’s noose was also placed on them, and if you are Black, you know what the history is of the hangman’s noose and what it represents to your people.
Initially, the State Attorney’s office (SAO) did not press charges, but after our meeting with the SAO, charges were filed. Additionally, we met with Mayor Suarez and the Chief of the Fire department, who did the right thing and fired the Fire Fighters involved.
We requested sensitivity training which to my understanding, the FIU is facilitating and working to increase recruitment in the Black Community for Fire and Police. All of our requests were granted, and in some cases, programs were already in existence. We will continue to monitor the progress in those areas.
- We fought for economic inclusion regarding contracting with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Miami- Dade County Government. We make up 19% of the population but receive less than 1 percent of contracts historically.
- We met with WSVN management regarding one of their production people using racially charged slurs in a parking dispute. That person has since been fired.
- We advocated for the City of Miami Beach to be more welcoming to Black visitors that frequent the beach all year round, but specifically on high impact weekends like Memorial Day and Spring Break. This year was the first year that the City of Miami Beach officially Sanctioned Memorial Day weekend and put dollars toward programming as a result of a Mayor’s Memorial Day Blue Ribbon Panel that I co-chaired. This came about after our previous President Dr. Shirley Johnson and I as the Vice President spoke before the Miami Beach Commission to address a few insensitive remarks made by two sitting Commissioners at the time.
Q: How do young people fit into the renewed narrative of the NAACP?
A: Young people are an essential part of our organization. Ebony Johnson who heads the Youth Council is doing an outstanding job with our youth. We secured a bus and lodging for our youth to attend the March for Our Lives event in Washington D.C… We also invited Representative Shevrin Jones to facilitate a civic engagement training for our youth. We will continue to roll out youth activities and programs. We are continually gaining new members in their early 20’s to mid-30’s, and we are looking forward to having an active Young Adult committee this year.
Q: What drives you as a leader?
A: The opportunity to advocate for the rights of all people. I must say it is a monumental task. However, the five letters of NAACP commands so much respect that allows me access when I need to speak with key decision makers. My goal is to see Miami become a truly inclusive city for all demographics. Some would say that is not a reality, I beg to differ. During my tenure as President, the Miami Dade Branch of the NAACP, we have had success regarding our advocacy, and I believe that as we will continue to grow and build our membership and collaboration with partnering organizations, we can realize my stated goal. I know that this is a marathon, not a sprint. I am prepared to go the distance.
NAACP Freedom Fund Soiree
Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP will celebrate 30 years of service on Saturday, September 29, 2018, with their Freedom Fund Soiree. They will honor Past Presidents of Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP and Community leaders.
Location: Charles F. Dodge City Center-601 City Center Way, Pembroke Pines, Fl 33025
For more information: Please visit: MiamiDadeNAACP.org or call 1-877.NAACP09 for more details. Follow on social media: IG -@miami_dadenaacp or FacebookHash Tag: #FreedFundMia
