Miami is a cultural melting pot that has been shaped by many Hispanic and Caribbean influences since the 1960s, making it one of one of the most diverse cities in the nation. With about 40 percent of residents being dominant Spanish speakers, combined with the thriving presence of Latin food, music, and art, new visitors may feel as though they stepped into a foreign country. In addition to being a leader in the hospitality and travel industries for tourist destinations like South Beach, Miami’s other neighborhoods are bubbling ecosystems for new business and culture. Neighborhoods like Little Haiti and Little Havana are a window into the proud immigrant community of Miami, offering authentic festivals and marketplaces.

In Wynwood, you will discover blocks of the most incredible art galleries and outdoor murals, hot new nightlife venues, and innovative start-up companies and social ventures. Brickell, Downtown, and the Design District are Miami’s Manhattan, the cultural, financial, and commercial center of South Florida.

If you’re looking to contribute to the city on a local level, you can plug into the 27 local social ventures started by Teach For America alumni. These partnering organizations offer corps members and alumni numerous opportunities, including fellowships and events, to affect change in the areas of education, public policy, technology, entrepreneurship, music, and more.

As our nation's fourth largest school district, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) holds an A-rating and have a nearly 80 percent graduation rate. M-DCPS is one of only four districts in the nation to show improvement in reading and math two years in a row. As we grow hopeful about the rising numbers, we know that a significant gap still remains between Miami’s highest-income schools and the schools in low-income areas.