NEWS (Updated 3/17/07)

In July of 2006 I moved from Washington, DC to Miami, Florida. In January 2007 I was offered a full-time position as the director of Imagine Miami -- an initiative (and movement) to create a just and sustainable Miami-Dade, where leaders put values and communities first.

This initiative is hosted by the Human Services Coalition, an outstanding non-profit led by a visionary social entrepreneur, Daniella Levine. Founded in 1995, HSC "works to empower individuals and communities to create a more just and equitable society by promoting civic engagement, economic fairness, and access to health and human services that address unmet needs." HSC staff work very hard to implement this mission, with inspiring results.

In January, I was also invited to join the Miami-Dade Sister Cities Coordinating Council. Sister Cities is a non-profit citizen diplomacy network - on a global scale - to create and strengthen partnerships between U.S. and international communities; to increase cooperation at municipal levels; promote cultural understanding; and stimulate economic development. I am a big believer in supporting local economies, but I also believe in building cultural understanding on a global as well as local scale.

Before I accepted the position with Imagine Miami, I was working part-time as the Executive Director of Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays. Viernes Culturales takes place the last Friday of every month in Little Havana (Calle Ocho/8th St. from 14th through 17th Avenues), when more than 60 artists, sculptors and artisans fill the sidewalks with their creations. Local eateries, art galleries, stores and the historic Tower Theatre also celebrate in the event, which features live music by local artists.

In November of 2006, I was a panelist for a highly praised workshop on revitalizing funding sources, for the Local Initiative Support Corporation's annual Urban Forum, which focused on business district revitalization. For the Forum, I also organized and led a walking tour of the Little Havana business district. 100 conference participants took the tour!

In October of 2006, I was a speaker for a panel on "Celebrations & the Animation of Downtown" at the Cultivating Creative Communities: Local Solutions, Global Success Conference. The conference brought together for the first time a collaboration of civic and community leaders to "build a new framework to understand how we can make our cities and regions more livable, equitable and sustainable places." The conference was organized by Partners for Livable Communities, an outstanding non-profit leadership organization that works to improve livability by promoting quality of life, economic development and social equity.

Corinna J. Moebius
Director, Imagine Miami
Principal, Bordercross Communications