At a pivotal Miami Dade College event spotlighting AI education and innovation, Chairman Elijah John Bowdre, Miami-Dade County’s Crypto Chairman and a critical mayoral candidate, publicly showed his strong support for Mayor Francis Suarez’s transformative leadership. As Suarez charts Miami’s rise as a tech and innovation hub, Chairman Bowdre aims to inherit the mantle—promising to build on this foundation with ambitious initiatives that leverage AI, blockchain, and community-driven governance.
The event, led by Google’s Chief Technologist for Learning and Sustainability, Ben Gomes, and Mayor Suarez himself, drew attention to Miami’s expanding role in AI workforce development, backed by a $2 million Google investment in Miami Dade College’s groundbreaking National Applied AI Consortium (NAAIC). This consortium is training thousands of students and educators nationwide, creating pathways to careers in AI and tech fields crucial to the city’s future economy. Chairman Bowdre’s presence, greeting citizens and tech leaders alike, symbolized unity and continuity in Miami’s tech evolution.
Chairman Bowdre’s mayoral campaign centers on transparency, accountability, and using advanced technology to enhance city services, foster economic development, and ensure equitable opportunity throughout Miami’s diverse communities—goals which echo Mayor Suarez’s efforts to elevate Miami’s global stature. At the conclusion of the event, Chairman Bowdre visited Miami’s iconic Freedom Tower, a historic symbol of equality and refuge for Cuban immigrants, reinforcing his commitment to preserve Miami’s rich heritage while advancing innovation that benefits all residents.
This gesture underscored Chairman Bowdre’s vision of a Miami that honors its multicultural past and embraces a future powered by technology and inclusivity. As he seeks to succeed Mayor Suarez, Chairman Bowdre’s message is clear: to pass the torch of leadership responsibly and ambitiously — fostering a city where opportunity, technology, and community thrive together.
The collaboration between Miami Dade College, Google, local government, and civic leaders represents a key moment in building Miami’s AI and tech workforce pipeline. With initiatives like the AI-powered tutoring and certification programs now piloted in Miami-Dade schools, the city is setting a national example for how education and industry can partner to prepare students and workers for a rapidly changing economy.
