Black History Is the Blueprint. The Fight Continues in 2026. |
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Black History Month isn’t just about honoring the past, it’s about confronting the present and organizing for our communities’ futures. .
In Florida, Black history lives in the ongoing fight to vote freely, to live without fear, to earn a living wage, to access safe and stable housing, and to protect our communities from policies rooted in control, punishment, and erasure. In 2026, many of the same civil rights battles our elders fought are back on the table – repackaged, rebranded, and rushed through the legislature.
This legislative session is already making clear choices about who Florida protects, and who it leaves behind. Lawmakers are advancing policies that benefit corporations, attack immigrants, weaken voter protections, and shift costs onto renters and working families. These fights are happening now, and silence is not neutral.
Florida Rising is grounded in a simple truth: Black liberation has always driven progress for everyone. This month, we honor the leaders who built the road forward and we recommit to organizing for the rights we are still fighting to secure. |
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This week alone, Florida Rising members and partners took concrete action to protect our communities and demand accountability. -
More than 45 Floridians sent emails to their state senators urging them to vote NO on DHS funding unless it includes real accountability for ICE: sending a clear message that our tax dollars should not fund fear, secrecy, or harm.
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Community members continued testifying at the Capitol against proposed property tax changes that would hurt renters, working families, and public services while letting corporations off the hook.
At the same time, Florida Rising – alongside Immigrants Are Welcome Here, 50501 Central Florida, and Hope Community Center – has launched a new statewide advocacy form calling on elected leaders to protect due process, reject secret policing, and keep ICE out of our neighborhoods.
This action gives people across Florida a direct way to speak out and be counted in a growing, values-driven call for transparency, safety, and dignity in our communities. This is what people-powered advocacy looks like: organized, principled, and building momentum. |
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We’re proud to celebrate a major win for community leadership.
Our Chief Advocacy & Political Officer, Moné Holder, has been elected Chair of the Jacksonville Planning Commission – a powerful position shaping decisions about housing, land use, and whose voices are heard in development decisions. This is what building power looks like.
Read more about her selection here. |
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At the Capitol: Tea in Tally Is Back |
The 2026 Florida Legislative Session is in full swing… and the stakes are high.
Lawmakers are pushing proposals that would give corporations more power while making everyday Floridians foot the bill. Florida Rising is stepping in to draw clear lines between policies that protect people, and policies that cause harm.
We are supporting: - SB 132, which allows returning citizens to verify their voting eligibility without fear or intimidation
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HB 187, which strengthens transparency and accountability at the Public Service Commission — especially as utility companies push for higher rates
We are opposing: - HJR 203 / HJR 209, property tax proposals that threaten renters, working families, and essential public services
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SB 7006, which would reduce transparency at the Public Service Commission and shield utility corporations from public accountability
Florida Rising will continue showing up at the Capitol, tracking legislation, and organizing with impacted communities to ensure that people – not corporations – shape Florida’s future. |
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Collective joy, culture, and connection – all in one place.
The Bad Bunny Bowl is happening on February 8th, and we’d love for you to join us! 🐰🏈 Come watch the game with the community, enjoy great food, good music, and plenty of Bad Bunny vibes throughout the night.
📍 Club Tipico Dominicano
🗓 Sunday, February 8, 2026
⏰ 5:00 – 9:00 PM ET
📌 1344 NW 36th St, Miami, FL 33142
Space is limited, so be sure to sign up using the link below to save your spot.
RSVP Here We hope to see you there! |
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| You Be the Judge Training
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Electoral Engagement Committee (EEC) Orientation |
Ready to help shape Florida’s political future? Join our Electoral Engagement Committee Orientation, a required session for active, eligible Florida Rising members interested in joining their regional EEC. This orientation covers the role of the EEC, expectations for participation, and how members engage directly in electoral strategy and decision-making. 🗓 Tuesday, February 10, 2026
⏰ 6:30 – 7:30 PM ET
📍 Virtual Participation in an EEC Orientation is mandatory for members who want to serve on their regional committee. 👉 RSVP and take the next step in your leadership journey. |
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10800 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33161 |
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