On Ocean Drive, under the South Florida sun and in one of the most historically meaningful stretches of Miami Beach, the unveiling of the Rainbow Crosswalk marker felt like far more than a routine public event. It felt emotional, defiant, and deeply rooted in memory.

From Latin pop and hip hop to electronic music and jazz, the sounds of the 305 have traveled far beyond South Florida. Yet despite its enormous cultural influence, Miami has never formally adopted an official city anthem.

March 4, 2026

A new global initiative hopes to change that.

Elevated Tracks 305, a newly launched songwriting competition, is inviting artists from around the world to compose an original anthem that captures the spirit, rhythm, and cultural identity of Miami. The contest officially opened submissions on March 4 and will accept entries through March 30, 2026.

The project is led by Elevate Miami and Guitars Over Guns in collaboration with the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, bringing together music education, industry leadership, and civic culture to create what organizers hope will become the city’s defining musical tribute.

Artists interested in participating can learn more at

https://www.elevatecities.org/miami/elevatedtracks305/

Elevated Tracks 305 Launches a Global Search for Miami’s Sound

The Elevated Tracks 305 contest invites musicians, producers, and songwriters with a meaningful connection to Miami to create an original song that reflects the city’s identity.

Organizers say the goal is to capture the qualities that make Miami unique, including its diversity, resilience, cultural fusion, and global influence.

The competition is open to all musical styles. Artists are encouraged to submit songs across genres, including Latin, pop, hip hop, R&B, jazz, electronic, and fusion, reflecting the city’s multicultural soundscape.

Submissions are being accepted through

https://elevatecities.submittable.com

Six winners will ultimately be selected across adult and youth categories.

Music Industry Leaders With Miami Roots Support the Project

The Elevated Tracks 305 initiative has drawn support from major figures in the global music industry who have deep ties to Miami.

Among the artists and industry leaders backing the competition are:

• Rico Love, Grammy Award winning songwriter and producer
• Jon Secada, Latin Grammy and Grammy Award winning singer songwriter
• Rudy Pérez, internationally recognized songwriter and producer
• Danny Flores, Latin Grammy winning producer and Frost School of Music alumnus

The judging panel will also include Julio Bagué, Vice President of the Latin Division East Coast and Puerto Rico at peermusic, along with Dr. Chad Bernstein, founder and CEO of Guitars Over Guns.

More information about the nonprofit organization can be found at

https://www.guitarsoverguns.org

Faculty members from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami will also serve on the jury.

Learn more about the Frost School at

https://frost.miami.edu

Cash Prizes and National Exposure for Winning Artists

The contest will award six total winners, including three adult winners and three youth winners.

Prize awards include:

First place

• $10,000

Second place

• $2,500

Third place

• $1,000

Beyond cash prizes, winners will also receive citywide and national media exposure, as well as opportunities for live performances and digital amplification throughout 2026.

Final selections will be determined through a hybrid voting model comprising 50 percent jury voting and 50 percent public voting.

Organizers expect winners to be announced in early May 2026, just ahead of Miami’s annual 305 Day celebrations.

A Cultural Initiative Designed to Celebrate Miami

While the Elevated Tracks 305 competition will crown winners, organizers emphasize that the project is meant to do more than launch a song contest.

The initiative is part of a broader cultural effort from Elevate Miami, a civic platform created through the Elevate Prize Foundation, to strengthen community connection and civic pride through the arts.

By inviting artists across generations to participate, Elevated Tracks 305 aims to create a musical tribute that reflects Miami’s creative ecosystem and global cultural influence.

Joe Deitch, founder of the Elevate Prize Foundation and Elevate Cities, describes the initiative as an opportunity for artists to help define how the city presents itself to the world.

With one of the most diverse music scenes anywhere on the planet, Miami may soon have an anthem that reflects the sound of the city locals simply call the 305.

How to Submit to Elevated Tracks 305

Artists who want to participate in the contest can submit their songs online before the March 30, 2026 deadline.

Learn more about the project

https://www.elevatecities.org/miami/elevatedtracks305/

Submit music here

https://elevatecities.submittable.com

The 30th Annual Rockin’ Celebrity Chefs Returned to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood to Benefit Ann Storck Center. (more…)

Miami Community Celebrates Coconut Grove Civil Rights Icon Thelma Gibson on Her 99th Birthday, Her Non-Profit Raises $70,000 For House & Programs. (more…)

Goodwill South Florida Turns Up the Spook Factor with DIY Costumes, Haunted Bargains and a Mission That Gives Back.
(more…)

Saving Lives, Preserving Legacies and Building Community: PURRR Adoption, Jewish Family Home Care, Stranahan House, and Broward Children’s Center Lead the Way in South Florida. (more…)

The Light Up the Night Gala brought stars, changemakers, and supporters together for a magical evening dedicated to breast health awareness.

September 28, 2025

Miami knows how to throw a party with a purpose, and on Friday, September 26, the Mayfair House Hotel & Garden bloomed into The Enchanted Garden for Luminous Global’s 4th Annual Light Up the Night Gala. The evening was equal parts glamour and heart, with guests arriving in style to support a mission that is transforming breast health awareness.

Supermodel and Real Housewives of New York original star Kelly Killoren Bensimon turned heads on the pink carpet, where she was joined by Luminous Global founder and CEO Marylin Dans and Florida House Representative Fabian Basabe. The arrivals set the tone for a night that was as celebratory as it was meaningful.

Inside the garden-inspired ballroom, the setting was pure magic. Guests sipped champagne beneath twinkling lights, live music floated through the air, and conversations flowed as advocates, changemakers, and community leaders came together. The energy of the room made it clear that this was not just another Miami gala. It was a gathering of people determined to make a difference.

The program honored this year’s awardees whose dedication to advocacy continues to shape the future of breast health. Their stories brought both smiles and tears, reminding everyone of the power of education, awareness, and early action. Proceeds from the evening directly supported The Luminous Advocacy Project, a nonprofit focused on promoting early detection, advancing education, and ensuring women everywhere have access to equitable medical care.

Highlights of the Evening

Guests were introduced to Luminous, the first breast familiarity tool designed to give users a visual reference of their own breast health. Presented as an app and awareness lifestyle guide, it helps women and men build consistent habits for self-familiarity. Luminous does not replace medical exams but complements them by empowering people to recognize changes early.

The gala also spotlighted the organization’s global outreach efforts. Upcoming missions include Medical Mission Honduras 2025: Pathway to Wellness, where volunteers and medical professionals will bring diagnostic care, health education, and vital breast health services to underserved communities abroad.

On the educational side, guests learned about the project’s commitment to spreading awareness through multilingual resources and school outreach programs, ensuring that communities both local and international have the knowledge they need to take charge of their health. The initiative’s vision also includes working toward FDA Class III approval for its device, a milestone that would make this technology more widely available.

A Night That Truly Glowed

By the time the music quieted and the last glasses were raised, it was clear that the night had lived up to its name. The gala was beautiful, it was fun, and it carried a glow of hope that left everyone inspired. Guests walked away with more than memories of an enchanting evening. They carried with them the reminder that awareness is action, and that together, Miami’s community can shine a light on change.

To learn more about The Luminous Advocacy Project click HERE!

@brightshotsbybri

MARK MORRISON MAKES HIS “RETURN OF THE MACK” IN A POWERFUL WAY. (more…)