Events
Digital Equity Summit Empowers Miami’s Latino Community
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
Between flying queens, strong pours, and a room full of Pride week energy, Palace turned Friday night into one of the hottest parties on Ocean Drive.
April 11, 2026
During Miami Beach Pride Week, plenty of venues try to capture the moment, but Palace Bar made Friday night feel like the place everyone wanted to be. The Haus of Gucci Ball brought together drag, fashion, nightlife, and the kind of high energy crowd that made the whole evening feel elevated from the start.
The atmosphere hit immediately. Palace was glowing, the music kept the room alive, and the crowd was fully locked in. It felt vibrant, glamorous, and very Miami Beach. More than just a dinner outing, the night unfolded like a full Pride experience on Ocean Drive.
The clear highlight was a queen whose acrobatic performance completely took over the room. She moved with an incredible mix of strength, control, and confidence, turning the floor into her stage and delivering a routine that felt both dazzling and deeply seductive. At one point, she was flipping around on a man with such effortless precision that the whole crowd seemed to stop at once. It was captivating, sexy, and easily one of the most memorable moments of the night.
The food and drinks absolutely kept up. We had the filet bites and tuna tostones, both perfect for sharing between performances, along with skinny margaritas and lemon drops that were dangerously easy to drink. And yes, Palace was pouring strong, which only added to the fun. The cocktails matched the mood of the night perfectly: bold, smooth, and hard to stop ordering.
What makes Palace Bar work so well during Miami Beach Pride is that the energy never drops. The performers are not just part of the background. They pull the whole room in. The crowd responds, the music keeps moving, and the night keeps building. That kind of momentum is exactly what makes an event feel worth showing up for.
The Haus of Gucci Ball was one part of Palace Bar’s larger Miami Beach Pride Week programming, which has helped make the venue one of the biggest draws on Ocean Drive this week. With events spanning multiple days, Palace has become a go to destination for people looking for drag performances, nightlife, rooftop energy, DJs, and a crowd that wants to celebrate Pride in full.
That is what makes Palace such a fixture during Miami Beach Pride Week. It is not just about location or history. It is about creating nights that actually feel exciting once you are there. Friday night’s Haus of Gucci Ball had the glamour, the chemistry, the performances, and the kind of atmosphere that kept people fully engaged from beginning to end.
If you were at Palace Bar on Friday night, you already know how good it was. If you missed it, this was one of those Miami Beach Pride nights worth hearing about.
Ready for your next night at Palace? Visit Palace South Beach for reservations, menus, and upcoming events, and follow Palace on Instagram for the latest drag shows, Pride weekend moments, and Ocean Drive updates.
Jets, Grit and Beachside Thunder as the Air Dot Show Hits Fort Lauderdale and the Sky Turns Up the Volume. From Thunderbirds Precision to Raptor Power, Fort Lauderdale Won’t Stay Quiet for Long.
(more…)
Gloves Off, Pens Out and Fans Packed In Like a Goal Crease Scramble: Tkachuk Brothers Deliver in Wellington for Meet & Greet.
(more…)
Some apps are built to help you buy more. Zèya is trying to get people to think a little differently.
March 27, 2026
The Miami-based platform, which centers on swapping and extending the life of everyday items, is stepping into its next phase with the launch of Zèya 3.0, arriving April 1. The updated app is designed to make trading feel smarter, easier, and more intuitive, while still keeping the human side of exchange front and center.
At its core, Zèya is built around a simple idea that feels surprisingly refreshing right now. Most people already have things someone else wants.
For founder Mehdi Taifi, that way of thinking came naturally.
“I was a trader working in finance, so stocks inspired me,” Taifi said. “Bartering came naturally. We all have things other people want, and you don’t even know it.”
That mindset helps explain why Zèya does not position itself as just another resale app. In a digital world full of cluttered listings, questionable sellers, and platforms that often feel impersonal, Taifi sees Zèya as something more social, more direct, and a lot more human.
“On Facebook Marketplace, there are so many bots, you don’t know what’s real and what’s not,” he said. “Every time selling is involved, there are scams. There are no real review systems. On OfferUp, there’s so much noise, you don’t know where things are coming from. Our app has a social component in swiping, which makes individuals more invested. It feels very human. We also have a review system for safety and security.”
Part of what makes Zèya interesting is that it borrows a mechanic people already instantly understand. Swiping is so tied to Tinder and dating apps that most people associate it with attraction, chemistry, and quick decisions about people. Zèya takes that same familiar motion and applies it to stuff instead. It turns swiping into a way to discover items, spark exchanges, and make the whole process feel more engaging than scrolling through endless resale listings.
“We aren’t competing with currency. This is just a different way to think about value,” Taifi said. “We added the swiping mechanism to something that used to feel exclusive to online dating. You don’t have to just swipe on people. We have swiping and swapping.”
It is a clever idea, but the bigger appeal is the lifestyle shift behind it. Zèya is tapping into a growing desire to be more resourceful with what people already have, rather than always defaulting to shopping for something new.
“I want people to look at the things in their home as an opportunity,” Taifi said. “Don’t think about the cost of the things you need. Think instead about how you can acquire or trade in return.”
That framing gives Zèya a bigger ambition than just being useful. The app lives at the intersection of sustainability, community, and convenience, but it also carries a certain optimism. It suggests that value can move between people in ways that feel creative, local, and personal.
Zèya 3.0 reflects that vision with a redesigned experience and more personalized technology aimed at making meaningful swaps easier to find. The launch also marks an important moment for the company as it continues to grow its presence and encourage more people to rethink how they consume.
Taifi is not shy about where he hopes it all goes.
“It’s just a matter of time before Zèya becomes bigger,” he said. “As we grow, the idea of ‘why don’t you just Zèya your purse?’ is my dream. I want it to be a verb. I want a verb associated with the brand. I want it to become a cultural movement and eventually feel normal.”
That kind of confidence is part of the energy surrounding the launch. According to Taifi, the app has already gained 55,000 users in a year, and he believes this newest version will push the concept much further.
“This brand new version is going to make it very different,” he said. “We’re taking it to that next level. For people who looked at Zèya in the past, we encourage them to take a second look.”
And honestly, that may be the real story here. Zèya is not just launching an update. It is trying to make swapping feel normal, stylish, and part of everyday life. In a city like Miami, where image, taste, and reinvention are already built into the culture, that idea may land more naturally than people expect.
With Zèya 3.0 arriving April 1, the Miami startup is betting that the future of exchange feels less like selling and more like possibility.
Download the app HERE
At Some Point, MegaCon Orlando Stops Feeling Like an Event and Starts Feeling Like Another World. (more…)
Experience Sogno: The Circus of Spring Wonder at Jungle Island! A fun, interactive circus show included with admission, perfect for kids and Easter family outings in Miami.
With Sunset Sapphics now launched as a new monthly women’s event at Palace, the Ocean Drive icon is making a serious case for one of South Florida’s most exciting recurring lesbian nights.
March 23, 2026
Some nights have chemistry the second you walk in. Sunset Sapphics at Palace South Beach had that from the start.
I went to the March 21 edition of Sunset Sapphics, Palace’s recurring rooftop pool party for queer women in Miami, and the energy was there almost immediately. Hosted by queer influencer couple Zashia Santiago and Tay Tate, with music by DJ Sammii Blendz and sponsorships from Wet For Her and VDOM, the party took over the Palace Rooftop Pool Bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and turned Ocean Drive into exactly the kind of women’s night you want Miami to deliver.
The rooftop was gorgeous, the weather did exactly what it needed to do, and the crowd felt ready in the best possible way. Not overly posed. Not trying too hard. Just genuinely ready to flirt, laugh, dance a little, and enjoy themselves. That made the whole night click almost immediately. It felt warm, social, playful, and just a little dangerous in a fun way. Exactly what a rooftop party like this should feel like.
There was something especially sexy about how natural the energy was. Nobody was manufacturing a moment because the moment was already there. People were talking, moving, circling the rooftop, locking eyes, laughing with their drinks in hand, and settling into the kind of mood that makes a night feel easy and magnetic all at once. It had a real spark. The kind you cannot fake and definitely cannot force.
A huge part of that came down to the music. DJ Sammii Blendz knew exactly how to hold the room without pushing it too far. The set kept the rooftop pulsing, but it never tipped into chaos. It was confident, smooth, and perfectly in tune with the night. Enough to make people move, enough to make people linger, and enough to keep that charged little current running through the crowd. Palace described the event as a rooftop pool party built around community, connection, and nightlife, and that balance really came through in the room.
One of the funniest and most unforgettable parts of the night was the dance contest, which gave the whole party an extra dose of personality. It was playful, cheeky, and just the right amount of wild. Contest winners were even handed sexy toys throughout the night, which pushed the whole thing into even flirtier territory and made the crowd even more into it. It gave the event that wink of mischief that took it from fun to fully memorable.
What made Sunset Sapphics at The Palace work so well was that it felt seductive without being try hard. It was playful, confident, and a little naughty, but it never felt overly packaged. It just felt like women were out, feeling good, looking hot, and actually enjoying the room they were in. In a city that is always trying to sell you a scene, that matters. This one did not need to sell it. The vibe was already there.
And honestly, the fact that it is recurring is a big part of why the night felt exciting. This was not just some one-off party people would talk about once and forget. It felt like the beginning of something people are actually going to start planning around. Palace is giving queer women a visible, intentional, genuinely fun night to come back to, and that kind of consistency matters.
A recurring women’s party with this kind of energy has real potential. It gives people a place to come back to. It gives the crowd something to anticipate. And it gives South Florida a recurring women’s night that feels hot, social, and alive instead of random or afterthought-level.
That is really why the night landed. Yes, it was sexy. Yes, it was playful. Yes, it had chemistry. But it also felt like it knew exactly who it was for. And when a party has that kind of clarity, people feel it immediately.
Sunset Sapphics at Palace South Beach was flirty, lively, and full of the kind of tension that makes a rooftop event actually fun. Between the music, the crowd, the playful contest, the sexy prizes, and all the charged little moments in between, it delivered the kind of night that felt easy to fall into and very hard to leave.
This was not just another night out. It was the kind of night that reminds you how good a rooftop, the right music, and the right women can feel when everything lands exactly the way it should.
Find out more here. The next event is 4/18!
Website: https://www.palacesouthbeach.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palacesobe
As Miami Beach Pride 2026 takes over South Beach on April 11 and 12, there is one place on Ocean Drive that feels especially central to the energy of the weekend: Palace Bar.
March 23, 2026
For years, Palace has been one of the most recognizable names in Miami Beach LGBTQ+ nightlife, and during Pride, it becomes even more of a go-to spot for people who want to celebrate in the middle of it all. That connection is not random. Tom, the owner and driving force behind Palace Bar, is also a founding member of Miami Beach Pride, which makes the venue’s role during the weekend feel even more meaningful. The Palace is not just nearby during Pride. It is part of the spirit, history, and celebration of the event itself.
So what can people actually do there during Pride weekend?
For starters, Palace gives people a place to gather, celebrate, and keep the energy going throughout the day and night. If you are spending Pride weekend in Miami Beach, Palace is the kind of place where you can stop in with friends, grab cocktails, enjoy the atmosphere, and be surrounded by the kind of crowd that makes the whole weekend feel alive. It is one of those venues that naturally becomes part of people’s Pride plans because it already carries so much personality, visibility, and South Beach energy.
Guests can also expect Palace to serve as a lively place to experience the social side of Miami Beach Pride. Whether you are meeting up before heading to other events, looking for a fun stop along Ocean Drive, or wanting somewhere iconic to continue the celebration, Palace offers that mix of entertainment, nightlife, and community that people want from a Pride weekend destination.
AJ Prasaguet, General Manager of Palace Bar, is also looking ahead to the venue serving as a home for the celebration alongside Tom. That role feels fitting for a place that has become synonymous with joy, performance, resilience, and queer nightlife in Miami Beach. During a weekend as meaningful and high-energy as Pride, Palace becomes more than just a bar. It becomes part of the experience people remember.
Another big part of the appeal is location. Being right on Ocean Drive puts Palace in the center of the action, which matters during a weekend like Miami Beach Pride. You are not tucked away from the celebration. You are in it. That makes it easy and exciting to work into your plans, whether you want a festive drink, a vibrant social atmosphere, or a classic South Beach Pride stop with real history.
And honestly, that history matters. Palace is not just fun. It is part of the larger story of LGBTQ+ life and celebration in Miami Beach.
At a time when Miami Beach Pride continues to draw attention from across South Florida and beyond, Palace remains one of the clearest examples of what it means for a venue to be both iconic and community-rooted. Pride weekend is always about more than parties. It is about showing up, being seen, honoring history, and celebrating how far the community has come. Palace Bar stands right at the center of that energy.
With its 38-year legacy, deep roots in the Pride community, and one of the most recognizable names on South Beach, Palace Bar offers Pride weekend visitors exactly what they are usually looking for: a place to celebrate, connect, soak up the Ocean Drive atmosphere, and be part of something bigger than just one more night out.
If you are planning your Miami Beach Pride 2026 weekend, Palace Bar is the kind of stop that lets you do more than just go out. It lets you feel like you are right where the celebration lives.
Check out more here!
Website: https://www.palacesouthbeach.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palacesobe
Santana Delivers an Intimate Evening of Euphoria and “Oneness”
Inside Palace Bar’s Haus of Gucci Ball
Mac Sabbath Showcase Their Chaotic Fast Food Fever Dream
-
Press Releases3 weeks ago
UFC 327 CARD FINALIZED
-
Events3 weeks ago
Inside Palace Bar’s Miami Beach Pride 2026 Celebration on Ocean Drive
-
Events3 weeks ago
Sunset Sapphic at Palace on South Beach Brought the Girls, the Rooftop, and the Energy
-
Restaurants4 weeks ago
Takay Omakase Miami Opening on Coral Way Brings an Intimate 10 Seat Dining Experience
-
Attractions4 weeks ago
Wild Adventures Theme Park Launches 2026 Season with All-New Experiences, Big Upgrades & Fresh Flavors
-
Restaurants4 weeks ago
Sourbon: A Romantic Clematis Street Gem with Culinary Firepower
-
Attractions4 weeks ago
What Happens When You Get This Close to Exotic Animals in Orlando
-
Uncategorized4 weeks ago
Moulin Rouge Finds New Energy in a Bold Reinvention
