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Miramar Business Academy wins National League of Cities diversity award
Summary
The city’s Miramar Business Academy was recognized with first place in the National League of Cities 2025 Cultural Diversity Awards; staff and graduates described the entrepreneurship training program’s curriculum, mentorship and seed funding benefits.
The Miramar Business Academy (MBA) — a municipal entrepreneurship training program run by the Economic Development and Housing Department in partnership with SCORE Broward — won first place in the National League of Cities 2025 Cultural Diversity Awards, department director Anita Fane Taylor told the commission on April 16.
Anita Fane Taylor said the MBA was created in 2023 and provides comprehensive training on business plans, market research, projections, marketing and access to local resources and grants. The program was developed by staff member Claude Louissant, who the director said could not attend in person.
A short video of graduate testimonials played for the commission. Participants in the video described the program as practical and equity‑focused; one graduate said the program helped them pitch a donut shop and another said she used the training for accounting services tailored to the music and entertainment industry. A speaker in the video said the MBA certificate was accepted by a college for academic credit.
Director Fane Taylor said Miramar was selected from dozens of applicants and competed against cities with populations between 50,000 and 200,000. She asked the commission to recognize department staff and the current third MBA class and invited elected officials to join a photograph with the award.
Mayor Wayne Messam and commissioners commended staff for the award. The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; staff requested recognition and thanked the commission for continuing support.
