The Carrie Meek Foundation was founded in 2001 by Carrie P. Meek, one of Florida’s most consequential public servants. To understand the Foundation is to understand the woman behind it: a granddaughter of a slave who became a U.S. Congresswoman, and who spent her entire life fighting to make Miami-Dade a place where everyone had a fair shot.
From educator and community leader to state senator and United States congresswoman, Carrie P. Meek spent her life challenging barriers and creating opportunities for others. Her journey shaped the values that continue to guide the Foundation today.
The granddaughter of a slave and daughter of sharecroppers, Carrie Pittman Meek grew up in a segregated South. From the beginning, the odds were stacked against her. She refused to accept them.
Motivated by the tragic death of Gwen Cherry, the first African American woman legislator in Florida, Meek entered the special election to fill Cherry’s vacant seat and won. Her political career had begun.
Congresswoman Meek passes at age 95.
For more than two decades, the Foundation has carried Congresswoman Meek’s vision forward through grantmaking, civic engagement, community development, and strategic partnerships.
Congresswoman Meek created a permanent vehicle for directing resources, partnerships, and opportunities toward communities that have historically been overlooked.
The Foundation translated Congresswoman Meek’s priorities into community-centered investments in education, housing, health, economic development, and civic engagement across Miami-Dade County.
Lucia Davis-Raiford became President and CEO, beginning a new period of organizational growth. Under her leadership, the Foundation expanded its grantmaking, developed new community partnerships, and strengthened its response to emerging needs across Miami-Dade County.
Supporting Safer Communities invests in local organizations advancing violence prevention, healing, mentorship, youth engagement, and safer futures.
Support from the Office on Violence Against Women expanded prevention work and engages men and boys as partners and advocates for women and girls.
The Foundation works with residents, nonprofits, and community partners to advance education, health, housing, economic opportunity, workforce development, and community safety.
95Y
Years of life dedicated to equity and community
First Black Florida representative since Reconstruction
Secured in federal aid to rebuild Miami-Dade after Hurricane Andrew
Founded the Carrie Meek Foundation before leaving office
Why this legacy guides everything we do.
Congresswoman Meek did not believe in waiting for the right moment. She ran for office after a tragedy. She traveled north for her education when Florida would not let her stay. She secured hurricane relief before anyone asked her to. She founded this Foundation before she retired. That urgency, that refusal to accept barriers as permanent, is the spirit behind every grant we make, every program we run, and every community we serve.
