Preserving Culture through Community Leadership (Allapattah Collaborative CDC)

In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt talks with Mileyka Burgos-Flores, CEO of the Allapattah Collaborative CDC in Miami, Florida, the only designated Main Street community in Miami. Mileyka is also this year’s recipient of the Mary Means Leadership Award.  Allapattah, one of Miami’s oldest and most diverse neighborhoods, is home to Little Santo Domingo, revitalized by Dominican immigrants along the 17th Avenue corridor. Mileyka, originally from the Dominican Republic, found her calling in Allapattah during college at the University of Miami. She quickly became involved in community events and eventually led efforts to create a strategic plan for the area, forming the Allapattah Collaborative CDC in 2019.  When the pandemic hit in 2020, Mileyka and her team shifted focus to support local small businesses, aiming to preserve the cultural identity of Allapattah and Little Santo Domingo. Their initiatives include providing resources, education, and opportunities tailored to entrepreneurs in the district.   In their conversation, Mileyka and Matt discuss the importance of Main Street leaders supporting small businesses, the importance of "owning the dirt," and Mileyka’s advice for fellow community leaders.  Further Reading: The Allapattah Collaborative CDC | Florida Main Street | 17th Ave – Allapattah Action Plan | Small Business Anti-Displacement Network | Mary Means Leadership Award |  “Own the Dirt” Swag