LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK
SCHOOL’S FINALLY OUT, Mary Lee Downey, CEO, Hope Partnership: The school year is ending and this mom is breathing a sigh of relief. This year was incredibly difficult on parents. We’ve had to make impossible decisions about home schooling, transportation, and extracurricular activities. For many of us, there was never a right answer, and those with fewer resources felt even more trapped between bad options. And while we faced all this anxiety, we had to be the ones to reassure our children that things were going be OK. Moms, dads, and other guardians out there, I hope this summer is a break for you too. You’ve certainly earned it.
HURRICANE PREP, Ben Friedman, attorney and community advocate: Hurricane season is almost upon us, and with the first Atlantic storm already brewing, it’s time for the annual hurricane preparedness review. How long will those 24-pack water bottles I purchased three years ago last? Am I going to get plastic poisoning from these old bottles? Should I get a battery-powered fan? Do I need a gas can? I need more toilet paper, candles, batteries. Wow, this is already overwhelming. I’ll just fight the crowds and buy supplies the day before the storm hits, like always. Better stock up on snacks now, though …
NOT ENOUGH FOR FLOODING, Ken LaRoe, Founder, Climate First Bank I/O:
The new law investing $100 million a year in coastal flooding prevention projects like higher sea walls is really silly. The Netherlands, one of the countries most at risk for sea-level rise, spends roughly $1.3 billion a year to bolster its 280 miles of coastline against catastrophic flooding — compare that to Florida’s 1,350-mile coastline. How do DeSantis and the foolish Legislature think that $100 million a year will even make a dent? Florida needs to invest heavily in renewable energy to draw down atmospheric CO2 levels.
RACE FATIGUE? Jeremy Levitt, distinguished professor of international law, Florida A&M University College of Law: The surge in racial justice-based white philanthropy that swept through the nation in the wake of the murder of George Floyd less than a year ago is tragically dwindling among Orlando’s political and corporate elites. Why? Is it white indifference? Race fatigue? Are whites now desensitized to anti-Black police violence? Platitudinal social-justice statements published by corporations big and small have been replaced by nonsensical investments in diversity and inclusion and traditional philanthropy as opposed to strategic philanthropy aimed at change and change leaders dedicated to removing the knees, chokeholds and bullets from the souls of Black folk.
BACK TO UNIVERSAL, A.J. Marsden, assistant professor, Beacon College: Two weeks after our second doses of the COVID-19 vaccination, my husband and I visited Universal Studios. Admittedly, I was a little apprehensive — it was our first big outing since March 2020. But my anxiety quickly dissolved. There were hand sanitizer stations throughout the parks — visitors were even given a squirt before and after each ride — and masks were worn when appropriate. Since our visit, Universal has lifted the mask mandate for fully vaccinated people while outdoors. Summer is here, Florida. Get your vaccine and get going. We all deserve a day at the park.
AMAZON STORES, Pamela Nabors, president/CEO, CareerSource Central Florida: Amazon is expanding their brick-and-mortar retail and grocery stores in Orlando. I’ve seen the new retailer at Mall of Millenia but have resisted the urge to browse. It is already too easy to lose hours on the Amazon app to buy what I never knew I needed, like an indoor lemonade LED planter (yes, there really is such a device). I am curious, though, whether the physical store would have such options like a wireless “grillbot” or smart meat thermometer — every self-respecting barbecue chef needs one! Ah well, I may tiptoe in for a peek during Memorial Day weekend — cha-ching!
TALENTED GIRLS, Beverly Paulk, founding member, Central Florida Foundation and The Orlando Philharmonic: A group of Orange County girls are changing the narrative and definition of beauty and girls’ full value. CLIC or Community Life Improvement Center, a vibrant, small nonprofit for 60-plus girls ages 12-18, is providing this opportunity during after-school hours. The girls proactively are taking charge of their media instead of responding to oversexualized and ridiculous standards for girls. They are using their talents to produce films on authentic beauty and their stories starting with scripts, full production, editing, and showings. In June CLIC will have a Hollywood-style opening for its first production at a sold-out Ocoee theater. Make room, Hollywood!
CARIBBEAN VILLAS, Stephanie Porta, co-executive director, Florida Rising: We will continue to organize and bring attention to Osceola County, where tenants of Caribbean Villas are suffering at the hands of an irresponsible landlord. The tenants consistently pay their water bills, but the landlord has neglected to pay the water company. As a result, the water company is threatening to turn off the water for the whole complex, thus forcing responsible tenants to bear the brunt of a problem that is not their fault. While community opposition has extended the deadline for the shutoff, we will continue standing by the tenants and ensuring they have access to the water they need to live.