Miami Transformed…City Magic with Former Mayor Manny Diaz

Thea is joined by "Miami’s best Mayor," Manny Diaz, who served as Mayor of Miami from 2001-2009. When Diaz took office, Miami was the poorest large city in America. It had a reputation as a drug capital with a corrupt police department, police shootings and riots. In this fascinating episode, Manny shares his personal perspective from his time in office. Thea and Manny discuss the growth of Miami during its most transformative moment, a moment Thea refers to as "The Manny Diaz Moment." Together, they look back at this period in Miami’s history, discussing the important relationship between government and the city’s entrepreneurs. Manny tells us exactly what it means to be a leader, building trust, and rallying others around his big vision for Miami - which included uplifting all citizens. Thea tells Manny that the ignition of Wynwood was directly connected to his hiring of John Timony as Chief of Police. Chief Timoney and the Miami Police Department made Thea feel sufficiently secure, supported, and confident enough to operate Wynwood’s first restaurant in the dark, desolate warehouse district. This igniting business paved the way for the thriving entertainment district that exists today. Thea and Manny reflect on the growth of Miami and the large-scale projects that were initiated during his time in office: Midtown, opera house, symphony hall, Miami Port Tunnel, Museum Park, Miami World Center, One Miami River Art Walk, and many more. Listen in for fascinating insight from a mayor who transformed the city and set Miami in motion to become the major player on the world’s stage that it is today. Manny Diaz initiated innovative programs in the areas of education, infrastructure, investment, affordable housing, law enforcement , poverty, homelessness, urban design, sustainability and arts and culture. In 2008, Manny Diaz was chosen to lead the United States Conference of Mayors as its president. Diaz has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work and leadership including America’s Best Leaders by US NEWs and World Report and the Center of Public Leadership at the Kennedy School of Government. He serves as a Resident Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics and is the author of Miami Transformed: Rebuilding America One Neighborhood, One City at a Time. As Thea puts it, “anybody who thinks they understand Miami, really doesn't until they read this book.”