Listening with Eli

Trying to look for a podcast?  Are you searching for an ASMR clip (que weird noises)?  Or maybe we're trying to listen to the local news “This just in on channel 10.”  Maybe you were trying to listen to your favorite audiobook that you can find anywhere else. “What soft, beyond the window breaks? It is the East and Juliet is the Sun!”  Or just wanted to hear your favorite celebrities talking about their day. “Like oh my gosh. Did you just see what she did to me? It was so atrocious!”  Well regardless of your reason. I'm thankful that you're here. Hi, I'm Elijah Pestana and I want to talk about things that I find interesting. From religion, politics, entertainment, and culture; I want to find things that impact my community and possibly you the listener. So, this is “Listening with Eli”. I hope you enjoy the show.

https://youtu.be/6n-IS6GvNWw

This opportunity has allowed us to create and tell a story using thorough secondary research and primary research. Through the perspectives of our interviewees, we’ve come to the conclusion that- as of 2022- there is this founding idea behind the relationship of the wealth gap and housing: you either have it or you do not.

Regardless of where you are in the wealth gap, everyone has lived in place they call home. Whether you live in a mansion in Sunny isles, a two-bed apartment in Doral, or even a small efficiency in Hialeah, having a roof over your head gives you a place to rest, spend time with friends and lay the groundwork for future. Which is why the United Nations believes that housing is human right, rather than a luxury or tangible commodity.

It's important to know the ins and outs of complicated issue like housing. That way you can see issues that affect your local community. By helping friends and family, advocating for your neighborhood, or even voting local elections help make this world a better place not only for our self's, but for the generations after who see the work, that we all made for a better tomorrow.

Ever heard the saying "The RICH get RICHER & the POOR get POORER" this comes from the idea that no matter how much you make, you will never make to the top of that ladder.

And this affects younger Americans the most.

Heres a fact for you,

"Its ridiculous! Who can afford this, who can? Alot of you guys do know I exist, (and see the impact yet) but I do care. What you kids going to do, WHAT ARE YOU KIDS GOING TO DO?"  - Fred Christain Founder of #IMPACT

With price of essential goods going up, the dollar dropping due to inflation, the cost of living is getting higher and ever before. So how can someone get up that ladder In the first place?

Well, it all beings with a place to lay your head and relax called home. Studies have shown having your own house is the beginning of financial stability and future wealth.

In this limited podcast series, will break down how things like the wealth gap and generational wealth affect younger audiences though the Lense of housing.

Our topics will range from things like barriers of homeownership, advocating for one's community, and the importance of doing your research.

These round table discussions are based on the oral history interviews recorded with our partnership with Florida International University and Catalyst Miami.

Welcome to the Wealth Gap & Miami's housing break down.

David Ebanks is a North Miami resident and an experienced homeowner throughout Florida. David immigrated to the United States from Honduras at the age of 10. He graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Social Work. Today, David has a passion for helping out other people in their process of homeownership for small gestures such as a cup of coffee.

During the interview, David Ebanks shares his own experience as an immigrant and his desire to go back home to Honduras when he first settled in the United States. He discusses barriers to homeownership and recalls his own experience with the housing market and generational wealth that came from his mother. Similar to many young people, David tells us about his own financial illiteracy and his experience with credit cards, mortgage, and credit as a young adult. He also talks about the inequality when it comes to purchasing a home for many people such as people of color and people who have been incarcerated.

Linda Julien, a Miami Gardens resident and homeowner, serves as the city's first Haitian-American council member. Linda earned a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Florida International University and a Master's in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. For the last ten years, she has worked throughout Miami Dade County, focusing on real estate, economic development, procurement, and workforce development. One of Linda's most notable projects is Solé Mia, a 4-Billion-dollar, 15-year mixed-use real estate development, public/private partnership between a local municipality and development team of Soffer and LeFrak. Ms. Julien serves on the Board of the Opa-locka Community Development Corporation, an organization dedicated to transforming under-resourced communities by improving access to health, education, employment and homeownership.

Councilwoman Linda Julien explains how she became involved in public service for the Miami Gardens community. She tells us her backstory, and how her childhood experiences sparked her interests in public service and community advocacy. Linda Julien is a long-time South Florida resident and explains her story as a child of Haitian immigrants in South Florida.

"Its ridiculous! Who can afford this, who can? Alot of you guys do know I exist, (and see the impact yet) but I do care. What you kids going to do, WHAT ARE YOU KIDS GOING TO DO?"

Fred Christian is a longtime activist and a member of the disabled community. Fred partakes advocates for his community and the younger generation. He fights for affordable housing, healthcare, gun violence, along with many other social justice issues. Fred attended Rowan University and began the foundation of his social media organization titled, #IMPACT, in 2015.

Fred Christian has a highlight during the interview which is when he questions what the younger generation is going to do… What are we going to do with this crisis? His call for action is for the younger generation to take action and get involved. Although this is an ongoing situation that may not be resolved easily, we as a group decided to make this podcast for younger generations to get involved. It is easy to research and find information online about situations, it is easy to find organizations online. Below we will provide just a few of the organizations that we have found that take place in the Miami area:

1. Casa Familia 

2. Disability Rights Florida

3. Miami-Dade County - Community Action and Human Services

4. Miami Lighthouse for the Blind 

The wealth gap and an individual's availability to housing, in a way, work interchangeably. Without having the money to support oneself, a person cannot buy/rent a house and, without property to hold, it is difficult to build long lasting credit and wealth. It’s a never-ending cycle that has been proven difficult to break from for the majority of South Floridians. In the U.S, history has not permitted many ethnic Americans the opportunity to create long-lasting generational wealth and the wealth gap is currently wider than it's ever been.

In this oral history project, we will break down this vicious cycle through the three different perspectives of the individuals we interviewed during September/October 2022. We hope to shed lighter on the effects of the wealth gap and how the younger generations can work to possibly break this cycle.

CLICK HERE TO Read Fred Christian, Advocating for a community's future