Miami-Dade County’s latest class for the Women’s Hall of Famewill not include a single Black honoree despite there being two widely respected Black finalists, sparking concerns about equity and representation from the county’s Black Affairs Advisory Board (BAAB) and community advocates.
On Oct. 21, the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved five inductees from a list of 10 finalists. The inductees include Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, Supervisor of Elections Alina García, Gloria Estefan, Miami-Dade College President Madeline Pumariega, and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who was not originally on the list but was nominated at the dais by Commissioner Oliver Gilbert.
Left out were civil-rights icon Dr. Adora Obi Nweze, president emeritus of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP, and Sandy Sears, who served as a nearly 40-year Jackson Health System executive credited with helping transform Jackson North into a teaching hospital.
“Those of us who are Black just don’t stand a chance without a fight. We must always fight because if we don’t, we’ll never win.” -Dr. Adora Obi Nweze
(NAACP)
Created in 2021 by the BCC, the Miami-Dade Women’s Hall of Fame honors women who have “improved the quality of life” in the county. Past Black inductees include Frederica S. Wilson, Annie Coleman, Carrie P. Meek, and Mary Athalie Range.
Daniella Pierre, president of the NAACP Miami-Dade Branch, praised the selected women while emphasizing a missed opportunity.
“The work and service that Dr. Adora Obi Nweze has done must be recognized … Give her flowers while she’s able to smell, touch, feel them, and even plant them.” – NAACP Miami-Dade President Daniella Pierre
(Catalyst Miami)
“We celebrate and esteem all of the women who were recognized to be finalists,” Pierre said. “They (commissioners) had an opportunity to be a bit more inclusive. Whenever you have an opportunity to have diversity without risking someone else, then you should.”
‘Enough is enough’
During last week’s BAAB meeting, members questioned why the BCC’s decision did not result in equitable representation. BAAB Program Director Retha Boone-Fye drafted a letter of concern.
Sandy Sears.
(legistorm.com)
“If not now, then when?” she said, urging board members not to remain silent on the matter.
BAAB Chairman Pierre Rutledge noted the silence from Black county commissioners.
Civil-rights leader Dr. Adora Obi Nweze, who grew up in Overtown, spent decades leading the Florida NAACP and championing education equity, voting rights, and disaster recovery.
(Ocala Star Banner)
“Enough is enough,” he said. “We have four members of that commission who are African-American, and they said nothing. I don’t care if you came from Jamaica, Georgia, the Bahamas — they said nothing. That troubles me.”
Dr. Adora Obi Nweze helped steer statewide legal challenges against affirmative action rollbacks, voter disenfranchisement, and school vouchers.
(FL NAACP)
William “Bill” Diggs, executive director of the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), urged action:
“There comes a time that this organization ought to say that, ‘Here’s a person who is worthy,’ and we’re going to demand — not another day, not another time, where we allow anybody to say, “That folk, in our opinion aren’t worthy of this.’”
Board member Jihad Rashid said that the omission undercuts merit-based claims.
“It’s not just diversity and inclusion,” he said. “If that’s a legitimate process, then if you go to merit, merit speaks for itself.”
The board approved a motion to send a letter noting that Nweze and Sears, who sits on the BAAB, were recommended but not selected, and requesting an explanation from commissioners.
Rutledge and Sears declined to speak with The Miami Times.
“We have to continue to tell the stories of women who are breaking the glass ceiling,” Pierre said. “This is something that our entire community has to do, because when women are supported, our community thrives.”
A trailblazer
Having grown up in Overtown, civil-rights leader Dr. Adora Obi Nweze spent decades leading the Florida NAACP and championing education equity, voting rights, and disaster recovery. She helped steer statewide legal challenges against affirmative action rollbacks, voter disenfranchisement, and school vouchers. She also played a pivotal role in supporting South Dade communities and mobilizing relief efforts after Hurricane Andrew.
Nweze acknowledged her disappointment at the BCC selecting an all-non-Black slate for its Women’s Hall of Fame inductees.
“Oh, I was very happy about the nomination, except it didn’t work out,” she said. “But I’m not surprised. I guess I don’t expect much more.”
She praised fellow finalist Sears.
The Lifetime Achievement award given to Dr. Adora Obi Nweze.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
“She works hard and always has, and I’m very proud of her as well. I’m proud of both of us for hanging in here and still fighting in spite of the time that goes by,” Nweze said.
She argued the outcome requires community action.
“So two of us are finalists — that’s not right. Something’s wrong with that ticking. We got to do something,” Nweze said. “It’s very critical to keep it out there until we can find our way to what is the right thing to do and then do it, and when they do things like they’ve done this past time, don’t let it stand without questioning it.”
NAACP South Dade Branch hosted its “Echoes of Elegance” black-tie gala, its primary fundraiser, inspired by the Met Gala and dedicated to honoring community leaders.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
Pierre said Nweze’s decades-long advocacy deserves recognition in county history.
“The work and service that Dr. Adora Obi Nweze has done must be recognized, must be reflected in our county’s history,” Pierre said. “Give her flowers while she’s able to smell, touch, feel them, and even plant them.”
Community honors its own
The Hall of Fame debate unfolded the same week the NAACP South Dade Branch hosted its “Echoes of Elegance” black-tie gala, its primary fundraiser, inspired by the Met Gala and dedicated to honoring community leaders. There, Dr. Nweze received a lifetime achievement award bearing her name — a stark contrast that underscored the Black community’s continued celebration of its own trailblazers.
Branch President Harold Ford highlighted Nweze’s nearly 50 years of service and her role in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, when she was instrumental in securing over $2 million in funds to help South Dade rebuild.
NAACP South Dade Branch President Harold Ford speaks at the gala.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
Ford noted in the Hall of Fame nomination that Nweze’s service is unquestionable and undeniable.
“I would put her resúmé up against anyone,” he said. “I think she’s more than deserving of that plus more. However, you know, there’s always next year, if you want to nominate her again for that particular award. We’re going to work to make sure she is recognized in the future.“
Asked what recognition means to her, Nweze said:
Dr. Adora Obi Nweze’s daughter received an award in her mother’s name during the NAACP South Dade Branch Gala.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
“You’re not looking for thanks or any of that. But when you do get it, you’re just very proud and very happy, and we’ll just continue to meet to try to get the best we can.”
Dr. Adora Obi Nweze played a pivotal role in supporting South Dade communities after Hurricane Andrew.
(FL NAACP)
Despite the accolades, Nweze stressed that the community’s work is far from over.
“It’s civil rights, and the fight still goes on. It’s just amazing to me that at my age and this number of years that have been going on, it hasn’t stopped.”
To that point, Nweze said proper acknowledgment also inspires future leaders to keep pushing forward and fighting for their own opportunities.
Last week’s gala spotlighted the next generation by recognizing student leader Indeah Lane, who received the Next Gen Youth Empowerment Award for her leadership, community involvement, and advocacy. Lane delivered a stirring original poem that captured both pride and urgency around representation and youth agency.
“I am Black, I am proud, and I have a voice,” she declared, later adding, “So hear me loud in the end. I’m gonna scream off the roof with no fear.”
he gala spotlighted the next generation by recognizing student leader Indeah Lane, who received the Next Gen Youth Empowerment Award.
(Amelia Orjuela Da Silva for The Miami Times)
What’s ahead
Pierre said the Women’s Hall of Fame must expand awareness and engagement.
“We should continue to celebrate and recognize that in our county we have a women’s hall of fame,” she said. “We need to promote that more 365.”
Nweze noted the stakes reach beyond one single class of honorees.
“Those of us who are Black just don’t stand a chance without a fight,” she said. “We must always fight because if we don’t, we’ll never win.”