Community connections: Meet Miami Herald journalists at African Heritage Cultural Center

Miami Herald Staff Report
·2 min read
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Join Miami Herald personalities for a community discussion on Thursday evening at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center.

The gathering is part of the newsroom’s Connecting with the Community series, and a chance for you to meet the people who cover your hometown and discuss issues important to you.

At the free event, you’ll also have a chance to meet a Miami Herald legend: Bea Hines, the first Black female reporter hired by the Herald.

Earlier this year, Hines met readers at a Miami-Dade library in Miami Gardens to tell her story about breaking barriers: starting as a Miami Beach maid, getting hired by the Herald as a library clerk, getting her college degree and becoming a reporter. She is now retired, but continues to write a column on religion in Miami-Dade communities.

Also speaking at Thursday’s event is Miami Herald commercial real estate reporter Michael Butler and climate change journalist Ashley Miznazi.

Butler, Hines and Miznazi
Butler, Hines and Miznazi

Over the past year, the Miami Herald has led several community events, including a pop-up newsroom in Westchester, a visit to a farmer’s market in Northeast Miami and a forum in Coral Gables on climate change. After Thursday’s event at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, the next planned Connecting with the Newsroom forum will be in September at the Lyric Theater in Overtown.

Connecting with our communities is one of the top priorities of Alex Mena, a veteran Miami journalist who was appointed executive editor of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald last week.

“As I have gone out to meet our community leaders and community members where they are over the past few months, I understand we need to do more to connect with them. And I will make it my mission to do that,” Mena said last week when his appointment was announced.

Bea Hines on stage at the North Dade Regional Library with the Herald’s Jeff Kleinman on Feb. 16. Hines talked about her triumphs and tribulations as the first female black reporter at the Miami Herald.
Bea Hines on stage at the North Dade Regional Library with the Herald’s Jeff Kleinman on Feb. 16. Hines talked about her triumphs and tribulations as the first female black reporter at the Miami Herald.

Here’s what to know about Thursday evening’s event:

What: Connecting with the Newsroom

Where: African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 NW 22nd Ave., Miami

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug 24

RSVP: Reserve a spot through eventbrite

Program:

▪ Remarks from Marshall Davis, Director, African Heritage Cultural Arts Center

▪ ”Fireside Chat” with the Miami Herald’s Michael Butler, Bea Hines, and Ashley Miznazi

▪ Audience Q & A

▪ Note: Refreshments will be served starting at 6, with the program starting at 6:30.