{"id":184996,"date":"2026-03-10T00:58:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/184996\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T00:58:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:58:12","slug":"youre-starting-off-wrong-miami-mayor-eileen-higgins-faces-discrimination-claims-after-reshuffling-two-black-aides-local-news-updates-the-miami-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/184996\/","title":{"rendered":"‘You’re starting off wrong’: Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins faces discrimination claims after reshuffling two Black aides | Local News & Updates | The Miami Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Late last month, City of Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins faced accusations of discrimination over the alleged termination of two Black women from her cabinet.<\/p>\n

The claims trace back to social media posts<\/a> from rapper-turned-Democratic congressional hopeful Luther \u201cUncle Luke\u201d Campbell, who said Miami\u2019s new mayor was turning against the Black voters who supported her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would\u2019ve thought that they would have told you the most important things when it comes to the Black community, which is having representation in your office \u2014 of individuals who know the Black community,\u201d Campbell said about halfway through his reel.<\/p>\n

\"Luther<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Luther \u201cUncle Luke\u201d Campbell.<\/p>\n

(Uncle Luke via Facebook)<\/p>\n

But the two women, Gail Seay and Barbara Sweet-Kemp, did not lose their jobs outright. Public records obtained by The Miami Times show that Seay is being kept on board temporarily, and that Sweet-Kemp was moved back to a previously held position within the City of Miami Police Department.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The mayor\u2019s office refused a request for comment on this story. Campbell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mounting scrutiny<\/p>\n

On Feb. 21, Sweet-Kemp made a strongly-worded post<\/a> on Facebook which seemingly referred to Higgins and her change in standing.<\/p>\n

\"Barbara<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Barbara Sweet-Kemp.<\/p>\n

(Miami Police Department)<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I got raped,\u201d read the post. \u201cHow do you put 1 year worth of event’s on a calendar and they take it and try to do it themselves. Make up your own stuff to help the community dont still mine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

It concluded with: \u201cAsk God to fix your heart Democrat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sweet-Kemp<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A screenshot of Barbara Sweet-Kemp’s Facebook post.<\/p>\n

(Screenshot)<\/p>\n

Sweet-Kemp served as a senior constituent affairs aide within the office of former Mayor Francis Suarez. Her work primarily involved direct engagement with the community, acting as a bridge between the mayor\u2019s office and local residents.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Earlier that same day, Pastor Gregory Thompson of New Harvest Church in Miami posted a photo<\/a> on Facebook that read: \u201cThe City of Miami Mayor has shown her true colors!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Campbell<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A screenshot of Luther Campbell’s Instagram reel.<\/p>\n

*Screenshot)<\/p>\n

Several people commented under his post sharing their own criticisms against Higgins, while others asked for context.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Feb. 26, Campbell posted his critical reel, noting how Higgins received \u201cnearly 90% of the vote\u201d from Black Miamians. She won with 59% of the overall vote<\/a>, earning up to 93% in Liberty City and roughly 80% across key West Grove precincts.<\/p>\n

He ended his video by criticizing the people who still defend and \u201ccape\u201d for Higgins, despite her alleged lack of support for Black Miamians.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of y\u2019all call me. Don\u2019t have me call you out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Gail<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gail Seay.<\/p>\n

(LinkedIn)<\/p>\n

Seay did not address the matter on social media. She served as the deputy director of constituent affairs under the previous administration, often appearing at community events and cultural ceremonies.<\/p>\n

What the records show<\/p>\n

In the comments of Pastor Thompson\u2019s post, Democratic Black Caucus of Florida Chapter President Verlance Echoles pushed back against the accusations against Higgins.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose young ladies was not terminated or they pay was not cut,\u201d she commented. \u201cThey are still employed with the city of Miami, but was transferred to a different department.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Seay<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gail Seay seen here in a 2023 Black History Month video by the City of Miami.<\/p>\n

(X@CityofMiami)<\/p>\n

She is partly correct.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to the City of Miami, Seay was let go from her role as deputy director on Feb. 20 and was placed in a temporary position for 90 days. She will work as a product manager until May 22.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Records also show that Sweet-Kemp returned to her role as a crime prevention specialist for the City of Miami Police Department on Feb. 20 \u2014 a role she has held since at least 2022, according to her Facebook profile.<\/p>\n

Since Higgins was sworn in as mayor on Dec. 18, 2025, many staff members from the previous administration have transitioned to new roles or left the office as she builds her own team.<\/p>\n

She is currently executing her 100-day agenda, appointing James Reyes as city manager on Jan. 8 and naming a wave of directors and advisors<\/a> on Feb. 2 to assist her.<\/p>\n

One of her appointments was Christopher Norwood, who curated the artwork inside Overtown\u2019s Historic Ward Rooming House<\/a>. He is currently serving as special advisor on community prosperity.<\/p>\n

While some Suarez-era staffers like Seay still remain, Higgins is expected to conduct national searches for permanent replacements in key departments like Planning & Zoning and Building & Permitting with hopes of fulfilling her campaign promise of “fixing City Hall.”<\/p>\n

Campbell, who is aiming to unseat District 20 incumbent Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick in November\u2019s midterm elections, acknowledged that a new administration often brings staffing changes, but held firm that Higgins was starting her term off wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI know normally in elections you bring in new staff, but hopefully you\u2019ve gotten those young ladies a new position within the city, and that you\u2019re bringing into your office an African American liaison to the community,” said Campbell.<\/p>\n