DR. ENID CURTIS PINKNEY: Leader who uplifted the community passed on July 18, 2024, at the age of 92. Ceremony set for Friday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m. at Historic Hampton House, 4240 NW 27th Ave., Miami. PHOTO COURTESY OF HISTORY MAKERS

Miami-Dade – Commissioner Keon Hardemon is hosting a street naming ceremony to commemorate Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney on Friday, Nov. 22, at 10 a.m. at the Historic Hampton House, 4240 NW 27th Ave., Miami.

Family, friends, community members, and local leaders will gather to honor the life and legacy of Pinkney, a prominent community leader, historian, and activist.

She passed on July 18, 2024, at the age of 92.

Pinkney was a champion of cultural preservation, civil rights, and community engagement throughout her life.

She was a leader who uplifted the community, educated future generations, and preserved the stories of the past.

As a founding member of several historical organizations and an advocate for the restoration of the Historic Hampton House, her efforts have been instrumental in preserving the rich history of Miami-Dade County’s African American community.

To honor Pinkney’s impact on the community she served, Hardemon sponsored a resolution to co-designate a portion of NW 42nd St. between NW 27th Ave. and NW 29th Ave. as “Dr. Enid Curtis Pinkney Street,” which is next to the Historic Hampton House in Brownsville.

Also, Commissioner Kionne McGhee has officially renamed the South Dade Skills Center located at 28300 SW 152nd Ave., as the Cipriano and Maria Garza Skills Center, in recognition of Cipriano and Maria Garza’s lifelong dedication to education, social equity, and family values.

The renaming celebrates their tireless advocacy for the migrant farmworker community, their transformative work in educational access, and their unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for all.

Maria Garza, a former migrant farmworker, began her journey in advocacy by leading a labor strike at the age of 18 to fight for fair wages. She later founded the Mexican American Council (MAC), a nonprofit dedicated to providing farmworker children with quality education, access to the arts, and pathways to a brighter future. Through MAC’s College and Career Readiness Program, students can engage in dual-enrollment, internships, and receive scholarships.

Cipriano Garza, also a former migrant farmworker, has been a relentless advocate for educational equity as the longtime Director of the Migrant Education Program for Miami-Dade County Public Schools. For over four decades, Cipriano has developed programs that uplift migrant families and improve educational opportunities for their children. His efforts extend beyond education, as he founded the Everglades Community Association to provide essential housing and resources to farmworker families.

“Cipriano and Maria Garza have been pillars of our community, embodying the values of education, social equity, and family,” said McGhee. “By renaming the center in their honor, we celebrate their legacy and ensure their impact will inspire generations to come.”