Events

Digital Equity Summit Empowers Miami’s Latino Community

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2023

Empowering Miami’s Latino Community: Aspen Institute Latinos & Society’s Digital Equity Summit Spotlights Progress and Collaboration for Digital Success.

July 7th, 2023

In a rapidly changing world like we live in today, technological advancements have created new opportunities for automation; meanwhile leaving behind many in the workforce who lack the skills needed to fulfill their demands. This in turn has created what’s called “digital inequity” which is the imbalance of the digital infrastructure that allows for easy “access, skills, empowerment and sustainability” in the workforce affording some people certain advantages over others in education, work and society.

To combat these challenges, the Aspen Institute Latinos & Society hosted their “Digital Equity Summit” at the Miami Dade College President’s Boardroom, spotlighting Miami as a champion for digital success. Many were invited both on a federal and local level to participate and collaborate in the conversations of the summit including members of the Aspen Latino Digital Success Task Force and others such as: Hector Mujica, Head of Economic Opportunity for the Americas at Google.org and Emmanuel Caudillo, Senior Advisor, White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, & Economic Opportunity for Hispanics.

Miami Mayor, Daniela Levine-Cava, spoke on matters pertaining to the county’s own initiatives such as, “Miami Connected,” to combat digital disparity. In collaboration with other cross-sector partners, co-led by The Miami Foundation and Achieve Miami, the initiative is working to bridge the digital divide and make Miami-Dade the most technologically inclusive county in the nation.

With Hispanics being nearly 72% of the Miami-Dade population, according to 2020 U.S. Census figures, the Aspen Institute Latinos & Society’s mission focuses on nurturing and growing economic opportunities to build intergenerational wealth in Latino communities. According to the Executive Summary in the Aspen Institute Latinos & Society’s “Aspen Principals for Latino Digital Success,” “high-quality jobs in high-growth sectors also represent a stepping stone for many entrepreneurs, who learn the skills and the rules of a given market and then move on to start their own businesses, with increased chances of succeeding and scaling up,” which also in effect provides the catalyst for the creation of generational wealth for their families. 92% of jobs require digital skills, yet 57% of adult Latinos have little to no digital skills training, compared to only 31% of the general population who are lacking that same training.

By empowering these communities with the data, the tools, access to networks and investments needed for economic growth and resiliency, Miami Dade continues to be well known as a Latino hub with growing digital equity through current innovative programs provided on all levels of the playing field, including an effort by Federal programs and other State to Local initiatives.

Also present at the summit, was Chief of Staff Narda Jones who was speaking on behalf of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. Narda Jones spoke regarding the FCC’s own initiatives as well, focusing on “access and affordability” while also combatting cost, being a leading barrier of digital equity for the Latino Community. According to the FCC’s website, the Affordable Connectivity Program is a “long-term $14 Billion dollar project aimed to help ensure we can all afford the internet connections we need for work, school, healthcare and more.” This program allows eligible households to benefit from a discount of up to $30 for broadband services and can even receive a “one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase” a device in which to use those services. Such devices include: “a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers” so long as the eligible participants contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards the purchase price.

Regardless of the benefits provided to the community, it occurs as if there are some details left behind when considering all it takes to sustain a household’s quality of life, such as perhaps food and shelter. Though when speaking to Diego Deleersnyder, who is the Associate Director for Policy & Research of Aspen Institute Latinos & Society, he highlighted how that even though there is “no one-size-fits-all” for individual circumstances of each family, internet basic cable does allow for everyone to participate and be included in the digital ecosystem which connects them to bigger and more expansive opportunities in a competitive market. Even doing online transactions through a smart device allows for connectivity to transact business, unless otherwise they were to travel to a nearby bank to access an ATM machine, which he noted in “dessert bank areas” it could be miles and miles away and with lack of resources, that could present major day-to-day challenges.

Mayor Daniela Levine-Cava also noted during the summit that to not further perpetuate a wider income gap, Miami-Dade has focused on providing essential tools that allows for greater economic opportunity, connecting people to education, jobs, and each other. Consequently, a plan was created to develop a “Broadband ‘AAA’ Assessment” for “access affordability and adoption” keeping cost at the forefront of the matter that has been hindering Latinos from being included in the digital ecosystem.

To conclude, the Aspen Institute Latinos & Society, has demonstrated through the continued effort of organized events such as the “Digital Equity Summit” that without digital inclusion the country overall misses out on an opportunity to excel in a rapidly advancing technological world. Through their united efforts, collaboration, and partnership between local and national leaders of the cities where they are currently working in, new infrastructure has been created aiming towards digital equity. As noted by Diego Deleersnyder, spreading out these resources through a trusted source of channel to the community has an impact that empowers family households to take advantage of such digital inclusion. To bring together these ideas and showcase them to the community at large, the Aspen Institute Latinos & Society invites expert institutions working on the topic at hand and then commits these experts to bringing their ideas and policy recommendations to each of the cities where they are presently working, creating new infrastructure for digital inclusion. Miami, having one of the top largest economies in the world, has demonstrated how an investment in the Latino community is an investment to the country as a whole. These innovative programs are imperative not only because of their own growing population but because of the country’s overall need for digital equity.

For further information, please visit:

https://www.aspeninstitute.org

https://getinternet.gov for benefits

Aspen Latino Digital Success Summit. Photo by Joshua White
Aspen Latino Digital Success Summit. Photo by Joshua White
Aspen Latino Digital Success Summit. Photo by Joshua White
Aspen Latino Digital Success Summit. Photo by Joshua White
Aspen Latino Digital Success Summit. Photo by Joshua White
Aspen Latino Digital Success Summit
Aspen Latino Digital Success Summit

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Art Hearts Fashion Took the Lead at Swim Week

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3 weeks ago

June 3, 2025

McKaela Lulic

From bird queens to body glitter, Art Hearts Fashion lit up Eden Roc with unapologetic flair.

June 2nd, 2025

If the ballroom at Eden Roc Miami Beach could talk, it would still be catching its breath after a weekend of bold designs, wild performances, and unapologetically fabulous fashion. Art Hearts Fashion hosted two back-to-back nights of Swim Week magic that reminded everyone why Miami is that girl when it comes to turning a runway into a full-on experience.

From house music inspired graphics and metallic fringe to upcycled couture and belly dancing drama, here’s what went down and why it worked.

Friday: Neon, Nightlife, and Not-So-Innocent Swimwear

Friday’s vibe was “don’t call us subtle.” The ballroom pulsed like an underground club-meets-art gallery, and the fashion matched the mood.

Pia Bolte kicked things off with chaos in the best way: think animal prints, bedazzled corsets, and a general sense that anything could (and maybe did) happen.
CA RIO CA, Cirone SwimLingerie, and Coyote Jocks blurred swimwear and nightlife so thoroughly that no one was sure if they were headed to the beach or the DJ booth—and that was the point.
Slay Swimwear and Papi Swim closed the night with all gas, no breaks. The prints were loud, the cuts were daring, and the confidence was contagious.

By the end of the night, the ballroom was less fashion show and more electric playground and, nobody wanted to leave.

: Papi Swim

: Pia Bolt

: Slay Swimwear

Saturday: Birds, Bells, and Beautiful Intentions

Saturday brought just as much energy, but with a little more soul. There was a clear shift toward statement-making fashion—with a few theatrical surprises thrown in for good measure.

Love for Upcycling opened with a collection made entirely from repurposed materials. Between the animal-inspired silhouettes and a model literally carrying a live parrot, it was giving eco-warrior chic and the crowd was living.
David Tupaz followed with floaty, toned down resort looks that whispered elegance..
Caroline Derpienski turned the tempo right back up with a Snake Collection that sparkled, shimmied, and swayed. It was all hips, gold, and glitter. Basically, fashion you don’t just wear, you perform.
Later acts from Joseph Auren, Henri Costa, BFyne, and Bad Pink brought metallics, fringe, futuristic cuts, and everything in between.

Each designer delivered something distinct, and yet the night felt beautifully cohesive. Everyone had a point of view, and nobody was playing it safe.

: Caroline Derpienski

: Love For Upcycling

: David Tupaz

Nestled right along the glittering coastline, the Eden Roc Miami Beach proved to be more than just a backdrop. It was a co-star. With its mix of vintage Miami glamour and modern luxury, the hotel set the perfect tone for a weekend that celebrated both bold innovation and timeless flair. Walking into the ballroom felt like stepping into a curated dreamscape: sleek lighting, high-gloss floors, and enough air-kissed hellos to fill a red carpet.

The space struck a rare balance, intimate enough to feel exclusive yet grand enough to hold the weight of real fashion moments. The ocean breeze just outside the lobby, the iconic palm-lined drive, and the buzz of camera crews and couture-wrapped guests moving between hotel suites and the show floor gave everything the feel of an extended editorial shoot. It wasn’t just where the shows happened. It was where the weekend happened.

During intermissions, guests floated through the venue, cocktails in hand, mingling beneath chandeliers and recapping standout looks like seasoned fashion editors. With mezcal in one corner and mojitos in another, the space felt alive with conversation and camera flashes. There was a sparkle in the air, a vibe that made it feel like you weren’t just attending Swim Week. You were part of something cinematic.

Let’s be real. Swim Week at Eden Roc was a full-on vibe. It wasn’t just a series of fashion shows. It was a living mood board, a love letter to individuality, and a dance party dressed in metallic fringe. From the moment the first heel hit the runway to the final twirl on Saturday night, the energy was electric. You didn’t just watch the shows. You felt them.

Each designer brought their own version of bold, from recycled fabrics and resort-wear minimalism to glitter-drenched snake goddesses and futuristic jockstraps. It was a reminder that swimwear can be art, identity, celebration, and rebellion all at once. The crowd reflected that too, creative, expressive, and fully dressed for the moment.

While the runway looks took center stage, the heart behind Art Hearts Fashion quietly grounded the entire experience. The platform isn’t just about putting beautiful people in beautiful clothing. It’s about using the power of fashion to drive change, lift voices, and give back. With partnerships like Make-A-Wish®, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and Project Cancerland, Art Hearts proves that fashion can and should do more than just look good.

What makes it all feel different is the sincerity. There’s no preachy undertone, no performance for clout, just an honest integration of purpose and creativity. From inclusive casting and emerging voices to boundary-pushing collections like Love for Upcycling, the message was clear. Impact isn’t the accessory. It’s the outfit.

If this weekend had a dress code, it would be “Come exactly as you are, but make it fabulous.” And that ethos carried into every detail, the drinks, the dancing, the applause, the backstage selfies, the whispered “who’s that designer?” conversations.

Swim Week wasn’t just fun. It was freeing.

Events

Miami Swim Week’s Kick-Off

Published

3 weeks ago

June 2, 2025

ELLE Swimwear Opened Miami Swim Week with Poolside Glam and Sunset Soundtracks.

May 28th, 2025

Leave it to ELLE Swimwear and Miami Swim Week® The Shows to throw the kind of party that sets the tone for the entire season: chic, sun-soaked and just the right amount of extra. On Tuesday night, the who’s who of fashionistas, influencers and perfectly tanned creatives gathered to celebrate the official kickoff of Miami Swim Week 2025, and let’s just say, the bar has been set high.

Tucked away on the ultra-exclusive Venetian Islands, the private waterfront villa felt more like a fashion fantasy than a party venue. Imagine stepping into a space where every palm is lit just right, the pool reflects the skyline like a high-gloss editorial, and the whole place hums with that “something fabulous is about to happen” feeling. It wasn’t just a backdrop, it was the mood.

And speaking of moods, let’s talk sushi. Sushi by Yasu was the evening’s culinary crown jewel. Each roll was a tiny masterpiece: fresh and delicate. Light enough to keep guests grazing, but satisfying enough to feel like a moment, the bites kept flowing all night, paired perfectly with champagne and curated cocktails.

The soundtrack of the night? DJ Brooke Brazelton spun a set that floated perfectly between rooftop lounge and full-body groove. Think vibey house, remixed classics, and the kind of bassline that makes strangers become dance partners. It wasn’t just background music—it moved the night along like a perfectly timed runway show. The crowd swayed, sipped and sparkled, and by midnight, the villa felt like the heartbeat of Swim Week itself.

As for the crowd, it was Miami at its best. A stunning blend of models, stylists, editors and locals who looked like they walked straight off a set. There were breezy linens, sheer mesh, bold swimwear, and sunglasses that stayed on long after the sun went down. The fashion was fearless, the conversation flowed, and every corner of the villa buzzed with excitement and ambition.

Somewhere between the third glass of prosecco and the fifth compliment on someone’s outfit, it became clear, Miami Swim Week 2025 wasn’t just starting. It had arrived. And if this kick-off party was just the beginning, we’re all in for a summer of serious style.