MCCJ MOURNS THE PASSING OF 1993 SILVER MEDALLION AND KEY MIAMI COMMUNITY ADVOCATE CARRIE PITTMAN MEEK

November 28, 2021

In 1993, we had the pleasure of recognizing the Honorable Carrie P. Meek at the Humanitarian Silver Medallion awards dinner.

Florida has lost a living Angel. Our light is less bright without her leadership, passion and advocacy. We do take solace in knowing that her fight for equity and in particular her support of opportunities for the people living in marginalized and underserved communities shall live on through the efforts made on behalf of The Carrie Meek Foundation.

From Tallahassee, Florida to the halls of Congress in Washington, Congresswoman Meek’s love for her family equaled that of her love of community. She will be missed. We pray that her soul is at peace and send our deepest sympathies to her family and closest friends.

Rest in Peace, Carrie Pittman Meek


MCCJ STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF JUDGE GERALD KOGAN, FORMER FLORIDA SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

MARCH 11, 2021

The MCCJ family is saddened by the passing of Florida Chief Justice Gerald Kogan (retired) on March 5, 2021.

In 2017, Florida Chief Justice Kogan received MCCJ’s Silver Medallion Award, our highest honor given to civic and community leaders whose deeds and values are concurrent with MCCJ’s mission of building an inclusive community.

The Miami Herald, in its March 7 obituary, emphasized Kogan’s civic mindedness, referring to him as an “ethics crusader” and describing him as someone who “saw public corruption as a threat to society itself”.

Deborah Hoffman, herself an MCCJ Silver Medallion honoree, notes that, “He ushered in the era of public trust and ethical governance as the Founding President of the then-newly formed Alliance for Ethical Government in Miami-Dade County immediately upon retiring as Chief Justice. His efforts succeeded in unifying many disparate parts of our local community. His goal was to promote, enforce and monitor ethics in government and public service.”

Florida Chief Justice Kogan’s life and legacy were dedicated to furthering the greater good of society by promoting fairness and equal treatment for all in our justice system. His leadership and service earned him well-deserved recognition throughout our community and beyond. He was named a “Legal Legend” by the 11th Judicial Circuit Historical Society in 2007; the Chesterfield Smith Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Bar in 2005; and was one of the first to receive the University of Miami School of Law Alumnus of Distinction Award and the University’s Award of Excellence. Also, at the University of Miami, Justice Kogan distinguished himself by being initiated a member of the lauded Iron Arrow Honor Society – the highest attainable honor at the University – and served as Medicine Man and Secretary in 1953, and as Chief and President during the 1954-55 term.

He advocated for diversity in many organizations. His commitment to diversity within the legal profession and equal treatment for all in the justice system was evident in his capacity as founding chair of the Florida Supreme Court’s Gender Bias Study Commission, the first study in the nation to evaluate the role of women in the judicial system. The initial report was revolutionary in is observations and recommendations concerning women in the legal system. His range of influence included his mentoring countless young people during his lifetime.

For his tireless commitment to the cause of civil liberties, the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation bestowed upon him its Nelson Poynter Award and Stanley Milledge Award.  He was the first member of the judiciary recognized with the Friend of the First Amendment Award for opening public access to the administration of justice.

Florida Chief Justice Gerald Kogan’s remarkable career, and critically important accomplishments, have made a lasting impact upon our community and our society.

The MCCJ family sends our deepest condolences to the Kogan family.


MCCJ MOURNS THE PASSING OF 2020 SILVER MEDALLION AND KEY MIAMI HISTORIAN ARVA MOORE PARKS McCABE.

May 11, 2020

On Mother’s Day this past Sunday, Arva Moore Parks McCabe, one of Miami’s most distinguished citizens passed away at the age of 81. Arva was to receive MCCJ’s coveted Silver Medallion Award at the Humanitarian Awards Dinner this past March 14th. The Dinner was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A proud Miami native honored as Coral Gables’ “Citizen of the Year,” Arva was a noted historian and one of the leading Miamian’s documenting the city’s history. As an activist, Arva’s contributions played a central role in shaping modern-day Miami Dade. Her rigorous work as a published author has helped shape the scholarly understanding of Miami and Coral Gables well into the 21st century.

Abbey Chase of Chase Marketing Group worked closely with Arva during the City of Miami’s 100th anniversary in 1996 to produce a historic calendar tracing major milestones by decade. “Arva was such an amazing member of our community. Her knowledge of our history and her respect for all the people and events that made our city great were part of her DNA. It was indeed a pleasure to work with her on the calendar and so many other projects over the years. She has left a very rich legacy as a historian and leader of our diverse community
she will be greatly missed.”

MCCJ expresses their deepest condolences to the family of Arva Moore Parks McCabe


MCCJ MOURNS THE PASSING OF 1969 SILVER MEDALLION AND FORMER CITY OF MIAMI MAYOR MAURICE A. FERRÉ.

September 19, 2019

The visionary leader held public office six consecutive terms, spanning his position as City Mayor for more than a decade. Many consider FerrĂ© the “father of Modern-Day Miami.”

He led Miami during difficult and tumultuous times, while helping shape the city’s future as a business center and the gateway to Latin America. He was born in 1935, the year MCCJ was founded. MCCJ honored Maurice FerrĂ© with its coveted Silver Medallion Award in 1969.

We offer our collective condolences to the FerrĂ© Family.Read Maurice FerrĂ©’s Tribute in the Miami Herald, and in the New York Times.


MCCJ MOURNS THE PASSING OF 2007 SILVER MEDALLION SISTER JEANNE O’LAUGHLIN

November 28, 2018

Today and always, we will remember Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin, who received the MCCJ Clergy Silver Medallion Humanitarian Award for her many years of service to South Florida. The Silver Medallion couldn’t have gone to a more qualified individual. Her compassion, intellect and heart have contributed towards building a more inclusive and diverse community. We shall always keep Sister Jeanne close to our hearts, and will think of her when we need to go the extra mile as we continue the work that we’ve set out to accomplish in our community. Read Sister O’Laughlin’s Obituary in the Miami Herald.


MCCJ CHAIR EMERITUS DAVE LAWRENCE HONORED
May 9, 2018

Our Chair Emeritus, Dave Lawrence, was recently honored with a Florida Blue Sapphire Award in Orlando, Florida. This award was given for his efforts to improve the lives of children in Florida; he was one of only four finalists in the Individual category. The 13th annual Sapphire Awards, presented at the 2018 Florida Blue (BCBS) Community Health Symposium, recognized exemplary leadership, innovation and demonstrated successes in community health by individuals, non-profit organizations and programs in Florida.  Lawrence currently serves as chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida, a citizen-led, non-partisan grassroots movement of Floridians focusing on increased investment in the first five years of all children. The following video captures the impact Dave has had on quality early childhood education and health care in Florida.


FergusonLEONARD PITTS JR.: WE NEED TO WALK IN EACH OTHER’S SHOES
MIAMI HERALD, August 19, 2014

That’s what should concern us now. When the nightly dance of angry protesters, opportunistic criminals and inept police clashing over the shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown finally ends, what steps should civic-minded people take to address the ongoing abuse of African Americans by the criminal injustice system? Not just in Ferguson, Mo., but in America?  Read more.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/19/4298344/leonard-pitts-jr-we-need-to-walk.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/19/4298344/leonard-pitts-jr-we-need-to-walk.html#storylink=cpy


FABIOLA SANTIAGO: THESE BRATS NEED A HARD LESSON
MIAMI HERALD, August 19, 2014

The break-in at the Coral Gables home of Miami Heat guard Ray Allen and his family matters on a slew of fronts. 

The case holds up a mirror — and what one sees is troubling: What kind of society raises college-bound 18-year-olds who think that it’s okay to break into someone’s house because it looks empty and they’re “curious” about how a basketball player lives?

Ours does. Let’s, at least, face that fact. Some of us have raised a generation of self-entitled brats.  Read more.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/19/4298425/fabiola-santiago-these-brats-need.html#storylink=cpy

IMG_4113METROTOWN, WHERE STUDENTS TALK OPENLY ABOUT RACE, DIVERSITY
WLRN, August 16, 2013

Like at other summer camps, the young people who spent a week at MetroTown last month put on skits and competed in sports. But the purpose of MetroTown, unlike a typical recreational summer camp, is to teach students empathy. Students engaged in camp-wide discussions on race, diversity, gender, sexuality and religion…Read more.


Books and Books Circle 1MCCJ WORKS TO EMBRACE DIVERSITY IN THE MIAMI COMMUNITY
Miami Herald, August 1, 2013
MCCJ is hosting a monthly book club this summer, using books to get people comfortable talking about difficult issues in Miami, like race, immigration and religion. The idea is that after reading about different cultures, participants will feel at ease talking about their differences and learning about their neighbors….Read more


SEEKING THE AMERICAN DREAM
Miami Herald, July 21, 2013
Please read this message from MCCJ to the community following the verdict in the George Zimmerman Trial. Read more.


Quinones and cameraJOHN QUIÑONES IS HONORED BY MCCJ
WPLG May 6, 2013
ABC News anchor John Quiñones is honored by MCCJ with the Headliner Award for excellence in journalism. In an interview with Local 10, Quiñones explains the societal issues he explores in his What Would You Do? series, and how MCCJ has used dilemmas presented in his show to spark dialogue.


Herald MT 8METROTOWN SUMMER CAMP TEACHES TEENS ABOUT TOLERANCE
Miami Herald, August 15, 2012
Gathered in a St. Thomas University conference room, about 50 high school students recently took turns yelling, “Jew, Christian, Muslim, Atheist.” They were trying to guess the religions of five people sitting on a panel, all religious leaders in the community. Called Guess My Faith, the interactive game is designed to teach the students about different faiths, and be mindful of their differences…Read more.

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