Issuu

LIVI BLA HIST Ann Wil

WHAT’S THE ISSUE

Winter Wonderland Recap

Out-of-School Athletics

Club TACOLCY

Miami Conservation

Upcoming Events

TACOLCY PRESS the

Aaliyah Fisher Editor in Chief

A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR

Welcome to the fourth edition of our newsletter! ��

In this issue, we’re starting the year with some holiday magic and exciting updates! Relive the joy of our Winter Wonderland event and marvel at the creativity of our out-ofschool kids who brought holiday cheer through their Christmas crafts. Get ready for a thrilling new athletics season and meet a new conservation organization making waves in Miami. Plus, don’t miss our exclusive interview with Anna Williams, a Miami native with a powerful legacy rooted in Liberty City. Let’s celebrate community, culture, and the season of giving together!

Enjoy the read! ��

A LEGACY ROOTED IN LIBERTY CITY

ft. Anna Williams

Born and raised in the Liberty Square Housing Projects of Liberty City, Anna Williams (née Forbes) embodies resilience, community, and advocacy. The eldest of eight siblings, Anna’s upbringing was deeply influenced by her parents’ Bahamian and Turks and Caicos roots. Despite Liberty City’s reputation for poverty and crime, Anna recalls a childhood filled with joy, stability, and a strong sense of community

“The memories there, it just does not even compare to what it is now,” Anna shared. Her family lived in homes with bedrooms, dining rooms, and even gardens. Her mother, Edna, ensured that every house was filled with love, vegetables, fruits, and flowers “She cooked every day,” Anna said, noting her father’s aversion to leftovers Any extra food was always shared with those in need.

Anna’s educational journey reflects the upheaval and challenges of integration She attended Holmes Elementary before transitioning to Charles R. Drew during the mid-1960s. Navigating the projects as a student was not without its struggles “I ran all the way home every day. I was so scared,” she recalled.

Graduating from the University of Florida, Anna returned to Miami and began her career at Bell South, eventually becoming a Technical Consultant Her hard work and determination allowed her to retire at just 52

Yet, she thrived academically and socially, earning scholarships to both the University of Miami and the University of Florida. Leaving Miami for Gainesville in 1972, Anna encountered the realities of racism but found solace in a summer preparatory program for Black students and more specifically in her first roommate, who was from Gainesville. “By the summer, I was ready,” she said.

https://tacolcy.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/16059

THE TACOLCY PRESS

As a self-described workaholic, retirement didn’t slow Anna down She turned her attention to community service, starting a youth Bible study program at her church and volunteering at her very own Holmes Elementary. Most notably, Anna became a fierce advocate for Liberty City residents as gentrification threatened to erase the community’s legacy.

Liberty Square, one of the oldest public housing projects in Miami-Dade County, has long been home to Black and brown residents living in poverty However, as climate change accelerates and Miami faces increasing flooding, the higher elevation of Liberty Square has gained newfound value

Anna Williams is surprised by a visit from all of her grandchildren for Christmas.

Miami, FL | Dec. 2024

“Liberty Square, where all these poor people are. Sitting on the best,” Anna remarked, highlighting the complex intersection of historical inequality and modern environmental challenges. Now, wealthy developers and affluent communities are eyeing this area, pushing out its long-time residents under the guise of redevelopment.

“The playbook is the same all over the country, in these inner cities they're doing it in,” said Anna “They got 2,000 units that they're just gonna knock down in New York. Chicago.”

The irony is stark: those who endured neglect in Liberty Square are being forced out just as its geographical advantage becomes clear in a city threatened by rising waters. That’s why residents like Anna Williams are considered invaluable forces to fight against the big giants.

Her efforts extend to organizations like the Belafonte TACOLCY Center, where she contributes her time, resources, and voice to ensure Liberty City’s residents are not forgotten

Anna Williams for Razing Liberty Square documentary by Katja Esson. It has won one film award and is currently nominated for an Emmy.

Miami, FL | May. 2023

For Anna Williams, giving back to her community isn’t just a responsibility it’s a calling “Being retired is the community service giving back,” she said From her early days in Liberty Square to her current role as a champion for the people, Anna’s life is a testament to the strength of roots planted in a community that shaped her.

WINTER WONDERLAND December 2024

TACOLCY’s Winter Wonderland event was a cheerful success! Everything from free presents, hot cocoa, pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Clause and a sparkling dance performance -- we truly brought Christmas Joy to sunny South Florida!

MOUNTAIN PILE OF PRESENTS FOR KIDS 0-13+

VIDEO GAME TRUCK

PIC WITH SANTA ROCK CLIMBING!

“RESTORING AND PROTECTING OUR COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH ACTION AND EDUCATION.”

Coast Love came about through a lot of love and frustration. Throughout his conservation career, Joe Land noticed the disconnect between wellmeaning conservation organizations and the communities they serve. Not focusing on the problem areas most needed or wanted.

JOSEPH LAND ON BRINGING COASTAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO MIAMI YOUTH WITH HIGHLIGHTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN LIBERTY CITY

JOSEPH P. LAND

“There’s so much information that is not being connected with the communities. It’s one thing to educate, it’s another to be able to provide the resources people need in order to make those changes.”

Holiday Crafts

Get Ready for the Color Splash for Care: A Run for a Brighter Future!

March 29, 2025 | Liberty City, Miami

We are thrilled to invite you to participate in the upcoming Color Splash for Care event, a fun-filled color run happening on March 29, 2025, right here in Liberty City! This exciting event is not just about running it’s about making a lasting impact on the lives of our youth

Community-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and schools are encouraged to get involved by motivating their staff, students, and clients to fundraise on their behalf. Funds raised during the Color Splash will directly support vital youth programs and foster community wellness

Two Levels of Participation:

Tier 1: Raise $5,000 or more, and 80% of your funds will go into a shared pot, evenly distributed among all Tier 1 organizations

Tier 2: Raise between $250 and $4,999, and your organization will keep 60% of the funds raised by your network.

Everyone Wins: All participating organizations will benefit by receiving a portion of the funds raised, depending on their tier of participation.

We look forward to your organization joining this colorful celebration of community, wellness, and youth empowerment. Stay tuned for more details on how to register and start fundraising! Together, we can make a brighter future for the youth of Liberty City.

Stay tuned for more information. If you’d like your school, community-based organization, or nonprofit to participate, please email spagan@tacolcy.org for more information

Warm regards,

Oronde Taliaferro, Founder, C2C E.P.I.C. Youth

CEO,

Join a Legacy, Build Your Future!

Be part of the TACOLCY Raiders family! Develop skills like teamwork, discipline, and leadership while excelling in basketball, lacrosse, or track and field. Open to kids ages 516.

Don’t miss your chance to register today!

�� Scan the QR code or visit

https://form.jotform.com/TACOLCY/ program-enrollment-form �� Basketball: Ages 7-14 �� Lacrosse: Ages 5-14 Track & Field: Ages 5-16

Have questions? Contact Coach Cedric Hooper at:

305-318-7869

chooper@tacolcy.org Become a Raider where champions are made!

MARCH 29

A fun-filled color run happening right here in Liberty City!

Self-Care and Self-Love initiatives for girls and women in the community. MARCH 8

I Liberty City

FEBRUARY 14

Social media campaign to raise money for specific concerns in Liberty City.

Each program collects as many coin as possible Different coins has power and points! MARCH-APRIL

THE TACOLCY PRESS

BTC NEWSLETTER AD RATES BTC NEWSLETTER AD RATES BTC NEWSLETTER AD RATES

In our newsletter, ads aren’t just ads--they’re stories. We believe in showcasing brands through narratives that connect and inspire. This approach emphasizes the value of storytelling with the hope that our ad section will be engaging rather than transactional.

Do you want your business featured in our monthly newsletter?

Step

1: Fill out the “Ad Request” Form

Complete a form with basic information such as name, contact info, business details, and desired ad size.

https://forms gle/hNznuPgCinoYe44c7

Step 2: Choose Your Advertisement Type

-Regular Ad (business will provide their own ad content)

-Story-Focused Ad (we will conduct a formal interview, take photos and craft a narrative about your business to better engage readers)

Step 3: Make Payment to Confirm Ad Space

Once the form is submitted, businesses will receive a payment form After payment is completed, their promotional space will be confirmed in your newsletter.

https://www paypal com/ncp/payment/KB9XD7LKMQE92

The newsletters will be posted to the Belafonte TACOLCY Center, Inc website, emailed to people on our distribution lists, and available for physical distribution a week or two prior to the first day of the newsletter month.

Press-ready ads must be submitted to info@TACOLCY.org in the proper format by 5:00 PM on the 28th day of the month prior to publication.

Rates for BTC Merchant Members in the Liberty City and Little Haiti Business District Area

Ad Rate Prices:

Story Ad $200

MONTHLY RATES FOR AD PLACEMENTS IN THE TACOLCY PRESS NEWSLETTER: PAYMENT IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION.

Full Page $150

Half Page $90

Quarter Page $45

Page 17