THE TACOLCY PRESS ISSUE 7

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TACOLCY PRESS 6161 NW 9th Ave, Miami, FL 33127

(305) 751 - 1295

Open Monday - Friday, 9AM - 6PM

TACOLCY’S OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER ISSUE 7 APRIL 2025

Kayron Tucker

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TACOLCY PRESS WHAT’S THE ISSUE Engineering Change w/ Kayron Tucker OOS Arts & Crafts Women & Girls Day Recap Henderson’s Baby Closet + Aetna Food Drive Co-Op Upcoming Events

A NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR Welcome to the seventh issue of our newsletter!

This month, we’re highlighting Kayron Tucker, a former Club TACOLCY member who is now excelling as a double major at FAMU, proving that dedication and opportunity go hand in hand. We’re also recapping our inspiring Women & Girls Day All-Black Brunch and Workshop, Plus, exciting news— Henderson’s Baby Closet has expanded its partnership with Aetna, allowing us to serve even more parents in need!

We’re also launching new monthly food co-ops, ensuring our community has greater access to fresh, nutritious food.

Aaliyah Fisher

All this and more inside—let’s dive in!

Editor in Chief

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THE TACOLCY PRESS

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BUILDING A FUTURE, GIVING BACK: FROM CLUB TACOLCY TO CIVIL ENGINEERING

W

ft. Kayron Tucker hen Kayron Tucker walks across the campus of

Florida A&M University (FAMU), he carries with him more than just the weight of a double major in Civil Engineering and Spanish. He carries the aspirations of a young man determined to change the landscape —literally and figuratively—of his Miami community.

A proud graduate of Miami Central High School, Kayron didn’t just earn his diploma—he left with an associate’s degree, a testament to his unwavering focus and dedication. His high school years were packed with leadership roles and extracurriculars, a pattern that has followed him into college. Now, he’s a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the National Society of Hispanic Engineers, among others—all while maintaining academic excellence.

But

Kayron’s

success.

His

engineering

dreams

extend

beyond

personal

ultimate

goal?

Owning

his

dedicated

to

firm

own

revitalizing

underserved communities without displacing their residents.

“We leave for a multitude of reasons, but our communities never truly develop unless wealthier people move in, right? I want to make my own nonprofit that focuses on developing underserved communities without kicking them out.”

Kayron has seen firsthand how gentrification has reshaped Miami’s neighborhoods, even his own.

“During high school, they changed the name of our street. It was called Little River, then they started calling it Uptown. All these name changes were trying to attract different people, but it didn’t feel like home anymore.”

Though always ambitious, Kayron admits that his path to civil engineering wasn’t initially clear. He once considered architecture to satisfy his artistic side but ultimately followed the opportunities that came his way.

“I knew I wanted to go to college, but I also knew I didn’t want to pay.”

Story continued on Page 5

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

THE TACOLCY PRESS

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From BUILDING A FUTURE Cont’d Through research, he found that civil engineering aligned best with his skills and goals. Thanks to a scholarship that covered most of his expenses, he embraced the journey.

In his senior year, he discovered Club TACOLCY, a program that became a pillar of support.

“I remember walking after track practice, and I saw people in the building. I asked, ‘What’s that?’ and they said, ‘Club TACOLCY.’ I started going, and it became a real community within the school, focused on trying to be better—which is exactly what I needed.”

Under the guidance of Calista “CC” Pagan, Kayron and his peers received tutoring, SAT/ACT prep, and accountability to stay on track for graduation and beyond– a resource that Kayron believes has been invaluable.

One of the program’s standout moments was hosting Academic Decision Day, an event inspired by traditional college commit days for athletes.

“At Central, once you hit junior year, it’s all about graduation—but not what comes after,” Club TACOLCY changed that. “Decision Day brought a lot of people in, and it put fire under their booties to apply for college so they could have something to say during the ceremony.”

Each senior was also sent off with a care basket filled with school supplies, college essentials, and self-care items—a reminder that they were supported as they took their next steps.

Kayron Tucker Former Club TACOLCY Member, double major at FAMU in Tallahassee, FL

Kayron is a firm believer that success is something you create for yourself.

“You have to make your own success. If you want it, rather than complain, join the club.”

For high school students unsure of their next steps, he urges them to start thinking early.

“A question they really have to ask themselves is: ‘What do you want to do after graduation?’ And then follow up with, ‘How will you get there?’”

For Kayron, the road ahead is filled with possibilities. With each blueprint he drafts and structure he designs, he moves one step closer to reshaping the communities that shaped him.

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Aetna & TACOLCY Team Up for Parents in Need

Henderson's BABY CLOSET

The Belafonte TACOLCY Center is proud to announce an expanded partnership with Aetna Better Health of Florida (ABHFL) in support of the Henderson’s Baby Closet, a long-standing initiative that provides essential supplies to new and expecting parents in Miami-Dade County.

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Community Care in Action!

Since its inception, the Henderson’s Baby Closet has operated as a resource for parents, offering supplies such as diapers, formula, clothing, and other necessities through a unique coupon-based system. With ABHFL’s strengthened financial commitment, the program will be able to provide even greater support, expanding its reach and impact.

To celebrate this strengthened partnership, ABHFL hosted a launch event on March 18th at the Belafonte TACOLCY Center.

The event brought together supporters and families to highlight the impact of the Henderson’s Baby Closet and the importance of collective efforts to support parents in need.

Providing supplies to women in need is an essential part of being active in the community, and we are proud to support these efforts.

Jennifer Sweet

CEO of Aetna Better Health of Florida

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LIBERTY CITY FRESH FOOD CO-OP Bringing fresh and healthy fruits and vegetables to Liberty City residents and beyond!

Fresh food co-ops will be held at TACOLCY every third Thursday of every month.* *excluding holidays

APRIL 17, 2025

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

We are always looking for volunteers to help us with our community events! Ask how you can become a volunteer today!

https://form.jotform.com/TACOLCY/cet

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S P E C I A L

T H A N K S

T O

Our annual Women & Girls Day All-Black Brunch and Workshop brought together women and young girls from across the community for a powerful day of connection, empowerment, and education. Dressed in all black to symbolize unity and strength, attendees participated in engaging discussions on sisterhood, self-care, and personal growth.

The event featured age-specific workshops, including hygiene, sisterhood, self-defense and self-love, fostering open and meaningful conversations. Over a delicious brunch, women shared their experiences, uplifted one another, and left feeling inspired to continue building a strong, supportive sisterhood.

This year’s gathering was a testament to the power of community, and we can’t wait to do it again!

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C L U B

T A C O L C Y

TEEN BURNOUT WORKSHOP With the increasing demands of school, extracurriculars, social expectations, and personal responsibilities, many teens are struggling to keep up. Recognizing the signs of burnout early is crucial in helping them find balance, set healthy boundaries, and prioritize their well-being.

MS. RICHMOND, SOCIAL WORKER @ MIAMI CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL.

SIGNS OF

TEEN BURNOUT Emotional: irritability, mood swings, apathy Physical: Chronic fatigue, headaches, stomachaches Behavioral: Social withdrawal, academic decline SAMUEL SAINTIL & MILA BOYD

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PIECING TOGETHER SUCCESS W/ OOS PUZZLE WIZARDS! Whether it’s a jigsaw puzzle, a maze, or a logic game, puzzles challenge kids to think critically, recognize patterns, and develop problem-solving skills. As they manipulate

pieces,

they

strengthen

hand-eye

coordination and fine motor skills, while also boosting memory and concentration. The process of trial and error teaches patience and perseverance, essential traits for lifelong learning. Plus, completing a puzzle provides a sense of achievement, building confidence and reinforcing the joy of discovery.

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SOUTH FLORIDA

RESOURCE COLLECTIVE

X The South Florida Resource Collective is a onestop hub where Miami-Dade residents can easily connect with essential services like Food Stamp ACCESS Sites, parenting programs, afterschool and summer programs, athletics, and more!

Stop by for more details!

6161 NW 9th Avenue Miami, FL 33127 or call 305-751-1295

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JOIN TACOLCY RAIDERS

Spring 2025

Join a Legacy, Build Your Future!

SCAN QR CODE TO REGISTER

TACOLCY RAIDERS ATHLETICS

LACROSSE

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

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN AGES 5-14

SCAN THE QR CODE TO REGISTER YOUR CHILD TODAY!

TRACK & FIELD

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

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!

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THE TACOLCY PRESS

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UPCOMING EVENTS Pastor Greene

EASTER EVENT

APRIL-MAY

APRIL 18 Easter egg hunt adventure and a meal from 10am-2pm.

Each program collects as many coin as possible. Different coins has power and points!

APRIL 29

REGISTER HERE!

We celebrate our high school seniors as they embark on their post-secondary endeavors.

Follow us on social media! @tacolcymiami Page Page16 16

THE TACOLCY PRESS

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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.

MONTHLY RATES FOR AD PLACEMENTS IN THE TACOLCY PRESS NEWSLETTER: Rates for BTC Merchant Members in the Liberty City and Little Haiti Business District Area Ad Rate Prices: Story Ad $200 Full Page $150 Half Page $90 Quarter Page $45

PAYMENT IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION.

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THE TACOLCY PRESS

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TO OUR PARTNERS

THANK YOU SO MUCH! Page 18