Mayor Daisy M. Black
Daisy Black was elected Mayor of the Village of El Portal on November 2, 2010. This was not her first time being Mayor. She previously served as Mayor in the late 1990’s and early 2000. She served on the El Portal Council for twelve years. She was the first African American Mayor to serve on the Village of El Portal Council. Ms. Black returned to the El Portal Council in 2008 as a Councilmember and was elected Mayor in 2010.
Mayor Black was born and educated in Miami, Florida. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from Florida International University and a Masters Degree in Public Management and Human Resource Management from St. Thomas University.
Mayor Black retired after twenty five years from the City of Miami. She was the first African American Communications Supervisor for the City of Miami Police and Fire Departments and after ten years transferred to the Police Department’s Community Relations section where she worked as a Community Involvement Specialist, targeting quality of life issues in Miami Dade County. This peaked her interest in politics and community service.
While working as a Community Involvement Specialist, Daisy created programs for youth, seniors and other citizens living and working in Miami Dade County. She was a well respected liason between the Miami citizens and local city and county governments.
Mayor Black has served on many committees and boards in Miami Dade County. She recently ended a seven year term on the Governing Board of North Shore Medical Center. She also served on the Homeless Trust, Miam iDade Juvenile Justice Commission, Miami Dade Criminal Justice Council, Trustee Board of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, and other boards throughout Miami Dade County.
Ms. Black was president of the Miami Dade PLATO Parliamentary Law Unit, a member of the Florida State Association of Parliamentarians, First Vice President of the Miami Dade League of Cities and while Mayor of El Portal was honored by the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida League of Cities.
Mayor Daisy Black believes prayer, compassion and commitment are the keys to succeeding in life. She enjoys writing poetry, reading and community activism.
VILLAGE OF EL PORTAL ENDS SUMMER IN THE PARKS PROGRAM
WITH BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES GIVEAWAY
The Village of El Portal ended its Summer In The Parks Program with a Back To School supplies giveaway at the Village Hall. The giveaway was the culmination of a six week summer free lunch program coordinated by Mayor Daisy Black, to provide nutritious lunches for the children of El Portal. Over 850 free nutritious lunches were provided to El Portal youth. Children were served lunches in the El Portal Tot Lot as well as the Little Farm Trailer Park.
Many of the children were from families that could not provide nutritious lunches due to financial hardship over the summer. The children were excited because some of the meals served had their favorite lunches which had been served during the school year at their respective schools.
The Summer In The Park’s Program ended with a back to school back pack and school supplies giveaway on August 10, 2011. Over 100 El Portal children were given backpacks stuffed with school supplies at the Village Hall. They were also treated with hot dogs, sodas and chips. El Portal police officers selected the children to get the backpacks and with the El Portal staff, helped distribute them.
Mayor Black, who is a Dade County Public Schools substitute teacher, will continue to monitor the El Portal student’s educational progress by starting an award’s programs for students making the honor roll. Students must present their report cards to the Village to claim their award.
