At the February Special Council Presentation Ceremony, Vice Mayor Julio Guzman presented a proclamation to an outstanding individual, who has been an important fixture in the Homestead Community, Kerry Black. Ahead of her retirement, the proclamation declared that February 16th, 2022 is Kerry Black Day. She reinvigorated the South Dade Chamber of Commerce and founded Latin Impact Ministries alongside her husband, Pastor Russell Black. Vice Mayor Guzman commended Ms. Black for her endless support and work to make the Homestead Community a better place to live.
“This amazing woman has always had her ethics in the right place and influenced people around her for the better,” commented Vice Mayor Guzman, “she was that coach, that mentor who knew how to bring people together who have all sorts of different characteristics. She encouraged us to take on old missions, we became more productive, we strived to reach greater heights and she held us accountable for the result of the job at hand.”
As CEO of the South Dade Chamber of Commerce, Kerry Black, empowered the South Dade entrepreneurial community and provided business leaders with resources, guidance, and community connections. In just four short years, she restored the reputation of the Chamber while also expanding its reach from the Homestead and Florida City communities to span as far north as Palmetto Bay and as far South as Key Largo. Under her leadership the Chamber experienced its best renewal season and fully restored its financial status through successful fundraising efforts. She created and implemented strategic engagement scenarios with local business leaders and elected officials that included weekly podcasts with Miami Community News.
In August 1991, Kerry Black and her husband, Pastor Russell Black, founded Latin Impact Ministries to develop a network of national church leaders that empowers groups to organize and carry out missions for underprivileged families. They help to build schools, provide communities with higher education, and promote collaboration of strong leaders.
Kerry Black is set to retire in 2022 and Vice Mayor Guzman did not want the occasion to pass without honoring and thanking Kerry Black for all she has done for the community. Let it be known that February 16th, 2022 is officially Kerry Black Day!