Few cities beat the energy of Miami, and the city’s beaches, nightlife, and restaurants attract millions of travelers every year. But Miami also has a rich Black history and culture that’s often overlooked. Few people know that one of Miami’s oldest neighborhoods, Coconut Grove, was built by Black Bahamians, and in the 1930s, the historic neighborhood of Overtown used to be a bustling entertainment district, hosting greats like Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, and James Brown.
For your next visit to the “Magic City,” check out the following hotels, restaurants, and attractions where you can learn about Miami’s Black history and support the city’s Black-owned businesses.
Black-Owned Miami: Where To Go
Little Haiti Cultural Complex
Courtesy of Mariette Williams
Located in the heart of Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, the Little Haiti Cultural Complex pays tribute to Miami’s Haitian community with a display of Haitian art and textiles. Community events include Afro-Caribbean folk dancing classes and the “Sounds of Little Haiti” outdoor concerts on Friday nights. On Saturdays, the cultural center’s Caribbean Marketplace is filled with local vendors selling food, crafts, and books. Check the center’s site for upcoming events before you go.
This Black-owned tour company will help you “go beyond the beach” by offering walking tours of Miami’s Black neighborhoods. The owner, Cidelca, has been providing tours since 2016, and some of his most popular tours are the “Melanin Miami” tour, a 90-minute walking tour that explores Overtown and ends with a soul food lunch. You can also take a walking tour of Little Haiti and learn more about Haiti’s contribution to South Florida and how it became the first Black nation to gain independence under colonialism.
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
Like other Southern states, Florida has a history of harsh segregation and discrimination, and when Miami was settled in the 1890s, white residents prohibited Black residents from using public beaches. In response, Black activists claimed a beach area for themselves, and on August 1, 1945, “Virginia Beach, a Dade County Park for the exclusive use of Negroes” opened.
Though Miami’s beaches are no longer racially segregated, visitors can visit the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park to walk along the mile of white sand beach, picnic under a shaded pavilion, and pay homage to those who fought for the right to beach access.
Black-Owned Miami: Where To Dine
Rosie's Chicken Sandwich
Courtesy of Mariette Williams
Founded by husband and wife duo (and chefs) Akino and Jamila West, Rosie’s is regarded as one of the best places to eat in Miami. The weekend-only restaurant is a fusion of Southern and Italian flavors, and the highlights here include the lemon ricotta pancakes, wild mushroom polenta, and juicy fried chicken sandwich. The Bib-Gourmand recognized restaurant is located on a breezy outdoor patio in the Little River neighborhood, and you can look forward to fresh food and friendly service.
Helmed by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, Red Rooster Overtown has quickly become one of Miami’s best restaurants. The restaurant is a fusion of Caribbean and American soul food with dishes like Bajan salt fish cakes, fried catfish sandwiches, and Guyanese oxtail on the menu. If you’re here on the weekend, the Sunday brunch is a must. There are live gospel singers and musicians, and one of the most popular dishes, the fried yardbird and Belgian waffles, is served with warm maple syrup and sweet potato butter.
Nestled in the colorful Wynwood neighborhood, Dunkanoo Jamaican Kitchen has classic Caribbean dishes like crispy plantain bites, saltfish fritters, and fried whole snapper. There’s also an “Irie Hour'' from 4-7 p.m. where you can get $7 cocktails and jerk chicken sliders. Drop by the restaurant after exploring the outdoor murals and museums in Wynwood and plan on staying late - the restaurant is open until 2 a.m. on the weekends, and there’s a DJ spinning on the patio late into the night.
Black-Owned Miami: Where To Stay
The Goodtime Hotel
Courtesy of The Goodtime Hotel
For a chic South Beach stay, check into The Goodtime Hotel, which is owned in part by entertainer and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams. The Art Deco-inspired hotel has stylish rooms (floral shades and quirky art adorn the walls) and one of the coolest pool decks in Miami Beach.
The 3rd-floor pool deck features green and white striped cabanas, pink chaise lounges, and a Mediterranean restaurant and bar. The hotel is a five-minute walk from the beach and steps from restaurants and shopping.
For a boutique hotel experience, consider The Dunns Josephine Hotel in Historic Overtown. Founded by real estate developer Kristen Kitchen, the 15-room hotel pays tribute to the Harlem Renaissance stars who once made Overtown so famous. Each room is individually decorated as a tribute to entertainers like Josephine Baker, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Billie Holiday. The hotel also has a convenient location - Downtown Miami and the Design District are just a few minutes away.
The Gabriel Miami Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton
Downtown Miami has come a long way in recent years. The area used to be just high rises and commercial buildings, but with the addition of the Brickell Shopping Center along with a bunch of chef-driven restaurants and bars, the area is now a “can’t miss” destination in Miami. You can get close to all of the action with a stay at The Gabriel Miami Downtown, a contemporary hotel with 129 guest rooms that feature polished wood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and sleek, comfortable furniture. Guests also have access to complimentary bikes to explore downtown Miami, and on the weekend, there’s a shuttle service to the beach.
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The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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