Raised in District 8, Danielle Cohen Higgins, Now Raises up the Community
Having been born at Jackson Memorial Hospital and spending part of her early years living in what is now a District 8 housing complex called Milton Manors, Danielle Cohen Higgins is the perfect person to become the Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 8.
The daughter of Jamaican immigrants who came to the United States in search of better opportunities, she is a mother, attorney, and small business owner fluent in Spanish who is proudly representing District 8 on the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.
She knows all too well the importance of quality education and is a proud product of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she graduated at the top of her class and earned a scholarship to Florida State University. The first in her family to graduate from college, Higgins attended the University of Florida, following which she joined Greenberg Traurig before branching off to start her firm.
Higgins is dedicated to serving small businesses and individuals in her community. “My team and I are actively reaching out to community leaders and organizations to build trust and assess how we can be valuable partners.” She adds that she relies on her own and the community’s experiences to bring forth meaningful solutions for South Dade.
“I will help rebuild Miami-Dade and bring jobs and equitable opportunity to residents. Our priorities are to bring mobility and connectivity that reduces congestion, protects our environment, addresses the affordability challenges, and improves our government’s accountability and transparency. We have been participating in food distributions to provide temporary relief and aim to build our economy more equitably and sustainably,” she says.
One aspect of that involves supporting the existing tech industry and drawing in new companies. “I have partnered with Mayor Francis Suarez in developing a strategy to attract investment in our local tech industry, our talent, our transit and housing, and our small businesses,” she explains. “Workforce training, as well as support for small businesses, are all critical elements to an improved economy.”
Higgins is proud to call South Dade home with her husband, two young children, and their two dogs. Facing the stresses of the global pandemic along with her community members, she says, “There is no higher priority than vaccinating the vulnerable. With Miami-Dade’s high infection rate, we work to expand vaccine supply for our residents who are 65+ and essential workers, especially teachers and first responders. This is essential to rebuilding Miami-Dade.”
A born fighter with an attitude and determination to succeed, she adds, “Regardless of how impossible the challenges might seem, we focus on solving them and relying on the support of others. Together, we’re focused on making a difference with the issues that cannot go ignored – injustice, affordability, congestion, climate, and equitable access to opportunity.”
She concludes that “The resiliency of our Miami-Dade County never ceases to amaze me. Our similar stories of struggle and grit prepare us as residents to withstand difficult times. Our relentless work ethic, unyielding hope, and humor will be the source of what allows us to survive and thrive. The problems of 2020 have strengthened us for the promises of 2021. We are South Dade Strong, and District 8 is with you, every step of the way.”
Haz clic para leer en Español: Criada en el Distrito 8, Danielle Cohen Higgins, ahora levanta la comunidad
