Born and raised in Carver Ranches, now the City of West Park, Cora T. Daise represents a living bridge between the past, present, and future of South Florida’s Black communities. Descended from some of the first Bahamian settlers of Carver Ranches, Cora has spent nearly four decades ensuring that the people of Hallandale Beach—especially children, seniors, and families—are not just served, but truly supported.

With more than 37 years of municipal service, Cora has played a central role in shaping how social services are delivered in Hallandale Beach. Through her leadership within the Human Services Department, she helped expand access to critical programs in education, food assistance, senior services, youth development, and emergency support—meeting residents where they are and responding to real community needs.

As Director of Human Services, Cora guided the City through the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring uninterrupted access to social services during one of the most challenging periods in modern history. Under her leadership, families received food, seniors remained connected, children continued to be supported, and community partnerships were strengthened rather than disrupted.

Beyond programs and policies, Cora changed the culture of service. She is known for leading with compassion, dignity, and accountability—creating systems that prioritize people over processes. Her work strengthened partnerships between the City, nonprofits, volunteers, and faith-based organizations, resulting in a more coordinated and responsive safety net for residents.

Cora’s impact is not measured in titles, but in lives improved, families stabilized, and trust built over decades. Guided by her belief that how people are treated matters most, she continues to serve with heart, humility, and purpose—leaving Hallandale Beach stronger because of her presence.

�� We proudly honor Cora T. Daise for her enduring legacy of leadership, compassion, and community transformation.

In South Florida, Lakitsia Gaines is more than a successful business owner—she is a trusted resource, a mentor, and a bridge between opportunity and access. A Miami native and proud fourth-generation graduate of Florida A&M University (FAMU), Lakitsia has dedicated her life’s work to strengthening families, building financial confidence, and uplifting communities that have historically been left out of the conversation.

Family and legacy are central to her story. Married to Shawn Gaines, Lakitsia is the mother of two FAMU students who reflect the values she lives every day. Her son, Kendall Gaines, is completing FAMU’s five-year MBA program, while her daughter, Kaitlyn Gaines, is pursuing her dream of becoming a Child Developmental Psychiatrist. For Lakitsia, education is not just encouraged—it is modeled, funded, and fiercely protected.

After spending more than a decade advancing through leadership roles with State Farm, Lakitsia realized that corporate success alone was not enough. She wanted ownership. She wanted freedom. And most importantly, she wanted the ability to directly impact the South Florida community by teaching people how to protect what they earn and build sustainable wealth.

That vision came to life in 2006, when she became a State Farm Agency Owner, representing the nation’s #1 insurer. Today, she is one of fewer than 200 agents nationwide to own two State Farm agencies, serving residents in Miami and Hallandale Beach. Her offices are intentionally staffed with a multilingual team of 15 professionals, fluent in Russian, French, Creole, Spanish, and English—ensuring that language is never a barrier to understanding financial protection.

But Lakitsia’s agencies are not just places of business; they are hubs of education and community support. She and her team work daily with families, small business owners, seniors, and young adults—helping them navigate insurance, financial planning, and long-term security with clarity and care. Her goal is simple yet powerful: help people make informed decisions that change the trajectory of their lives.

Her excellence in business has earned her some of the industry’s highest honors, including the Million Dollar Roundtable, placing her among the top 0.5% of insurance and financial professionals worldwide, along with a decade of qualification in the Chairman’s Circle. Yet, even with national recognition, Lakitsia remains deeply rooted in local service.

Her community footprint is vast. She is an active member of The Links, Incorporated, Top Ladies of Distinction, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and Rotary International, organizations centered on service, leadership, and social uplift. At Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Miami Gardens, she leads the Finance Workshop Committee, bringing financial literacy directly to congregants and surrounding neighborhoods.

Lakitsia also serves on the boards of multiple nonprofit organizations, including Northstar Estates, and consistently supports educational, civic, and political initiatives aimed at community advancement. She has hosted events such as the FAMU Strike Tour ’21, raised funds for scholarships, and supported causes that promote access, equity, and representation.

Perhaps her most profound community impact is her investment in young people. As a former scholarship recipient herself, Lakitsia personally contributes more than $50,000 annually in scholarships and sponsorships for deserving high school students attending FAMU and other colleges and universities. In addition, she volunteers over 200 hours each year, providing free financial literacy seminars to schools, churches, community groups, and nonprofit organizations—ensuring that financial education reaches those who need it most.

Her personal motto captures the heart of her work:

“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

For Lakitsia Gaines, community impact is not an add-on—it is the foundation. Through ownership, education, mentorship, and service, she continues to build pathways to financial stability and generational wealth across South Florida.

�� We proudly honor Lakitsia Gaines for her unwavering commitment to community empowerment, financial education, and creating access where it matters most.

Community Spotlight: Dr. Eric B. Samuel, MD

In the heart of South Florida, where culture, community, and resilience collide, Dr. Eric B. Samuel, MD has quietly spent more than two decades doing what he believes he was called to do—care for families. As a board-certified family medicine physician serving Hollywood, Coconut Creek, and surrounding communities, Dr. Samuel’s work reaches far beyond diagnosing illness. It reaches into the very core of health equity, trust, and access.

For Dr. Samuel, medicine has always been personal. Long before he wore a white coat, he witnessed firsthand how chronic illness can devastate a family. The pain of losing his nephew to complications from Sickle Cell Disease still shapes the compassion and urgency with which he practices today. “It changes you,” he once reflected. “It makes you want to make sure no other family feels that kind of loss if there’s something you can do to help.”

That commitment led him into family medicine, where he now treats a wide range of acute and chronic conditions—from respiratory infections to long-term diseases like diabetes and hypertension. These conditions, which occur at disproportionately higher rates in Florida’s Black community, have become central to his work. He sees their impact every day. He sees the struggle, the worry, and sometimes the fear. But more importantly, he sees the potential—the possibility of better outcomes when patients have access to quality care, education, and someone who listens.

Dr. Samuel often describes his approach as a partnership. He believes deeply in patient empowerment: explaining the reasons behind every medication, every lab result, and every lifestyle change. In a landscape where systemic barriers and medical mistrust can discourage people from seeking help, he works to create a space where patients feel seen, valued, and informed. “Good care starts with trust,” he says. “And trust starts with understanding.”

Over the years, he has built a reputation not only for clinical expertise but also for compassion. His patients describe him as someone who takes his time—someone who doesn’t rush through appointments or dismiss concerns. In communities where preventable conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes have taken too many lives too soon, his work stands as both intervention and prevention.

The walls of his South Florida practice have heard countless stories—stories of families fighting to break generational cycles of illness, of patients seeking answers they’ve never been given, of small victories celebrated one blood pressure reading at a time. Dr. Samuel treats the diseases, yes—but he also treats the circumstances that surround them: limited access, fear of the healthcare system, the weight of inherited risks, and the social factors that often go unspoken.

His commitment to the Black community is unshakeable. He knows the statistics, but more importantly, he knows the people behind them. And he knows that every conversation, every follow-up call, every piece of education he offers is one more step toward closing the gap in health disparities.

After more than 20 years in practice, Dr. Samuel’s mission remains the same: provide exceptional care, empower patients with knowledge, and create pathways to better health for families who have often been overlooked. His work reminds us that change doesn’t always make headlines—sometimes it shows up in exam rooms, in trust rebuilt, and in lives strengthened one patient at a time.

�� We honor Dr. Eric B. Samuel, MD, for his compassion, his expertise, and his unwavering dedication to building a healthier South Florida.

Eric S. George Funeral Home proudly recognizes Zamarr T. Brown, Owner and Principal Architect of Design2Form (D2F) — a firm built on creativity, community, and purpose. With over 22 years of experience, Zamarr has shaped residential, commercial, and institutional spaces across Florida and Georgia with a clear mission: to rebuild communities and inspire change through thoughtful design.

A graduate of Design & Architecture Senior High, Zamarr credits his mother for guiding him toward architecture — a decision that became the foundation of his calling. Through D2F, he and his team provide architectural, interior design, and planning services, focusing on underprivileged neighborhoods and community redevelopment.

Through Design2Form, Zamarr and his team provide architectural, interior design, planning, and project management services—but their true mission is to be “the common thread between good design, budgets, and context.”

What excites him most is working in underprivileged communities, where good design can spark change, pride, and possibility.

Among his proudest projects are the Overtown Youth Center and ULBC Community Empowerment Center, both of which serve thousands of children and families each year. His firm’s work on Superior Manor Phase II Apartments in Miami continues that legacy, bringing affordable and sustainable housing to the Brownsville area.

Zamarr’s leadership and innovation have earned multiple awards, including the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Top Minority Business Award and recognition from Legacy Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Today & Tomorrow.

For Zamarr T. Brown, design is not just about structures—it’s about stories, souls, and shared spaces. His legacy stands as a testament to what can be built when passion meets purpose.

"Building Futures Through Fun."

Gregory Jackson is the proud owner of Tycoon Party Rental, LLC, a business that is as much about community and care as it is about fun. Gregory grew up in a neighborhood where opportunities were few and dreams seemed far away, he’s seen many young faces slip through the cracks—caught between the streets and a lack of options. Gregory has always been determined to make the difference, not just for the kids, but through them. “For the kids, by the kids!”

The young faces who work alongside him aren’t just employees; they’re part of the family. Gregory is committed to hiring local teenagers and young adults, not just to keep them busy, but to ensure they stay out of trouble and on the path to something better.

Beyond his business, he never forgets where he comes from. His roots run deep in the City of Hallandale Beach and surrounding areas, and he gives back at every opportunity. Whether it’s donating services for community events or sponsoring local programs, Gregory is always looking for ways to uplift the community.

For Gregory, it’s about building more than just a business—it’s about building a future. His party rental company is a testament to the power of believing in kids, the importance of community, and the magic that can happen when you invest in both.

“Running with Purpose, Living with Power”

Meet Joann Sampson, an 84-year-old Hallandale Beach resident and local hero who is proving that age is no match for passion, perseverance, and purpose. Known for her contagious smile and unstoppable spirit, Joann is a competitive sprinter representing South Florida in the National Senior Games—often called the "Senior Olympics."

Joann didn’t grow up on the track. In fact, she didn’t start running competitively until 2001, long after many athletes have retired. But her heart said “go,” and she’s been running ever since—breaking barriers and inspiring others to chase their dreams, no matter their age.

Over the years, Joann has competed in multiple state and national games, earning medals, recognition, and admiration. She most recently qualified for the 2025 National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa, after placing second in her age division at the Florida Senior Games. But her impact extends far beyond the track.

Joann is an active voice in her community, encouraging health and wellness among older adults. Whether it’s speaking at local churches, mentoring fellow senior athletes, or simply sharing her story with neighbors, she reminds people of all ages that purpose doesn’t expire with age.

She’s also participated in charity walks, intergenerational community events, and volunteers with local senior centers—always willing to lend her time, her energy, and her testimony. Her journey has become a symbol of what's possible when you live with intention, keep moving forward, and never count yourself out.

Joann says it best:

"This is my purpose. I want people to see that just because you're older doesn't mean you're done.

This month, we proudly spotlight Kim Cox—a South Florida native, visionary realtor, and community-focused developer with over 20 years of experience in real estate, sales, and marketing. As the owner and broker of Pisteuo Real Estate Group, the only real estate brokerage based in the City of West Park, Kim is known for her integrity, professionalism, and passion for helping families thrive.

Beyond traditional real estate, Kim has renovated more than 20 properties and leads affordable housing initiatives through her nonprofit, Kinetic Lifestyle Homes. Her work has been recognized by local leadership and continues to set new standards for accessible, high-quality housing.

She also partners with Eric S. George Funeral Home to offer preneed and final expense education, helping families prepare with peace of mind.

"Real estate is more than transactions—it's transformation. It's about helping people build, restore, and thrive." - Kim Cox

Kim Cox is truly redefining real estate—bringing vision, compassion, and purpose to every corner of her community.