Elected officials, community leaders, students, family and friends will convene at MDC’s Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center to honor the late community leader and political strategist’s legacy with the creation of a new fund to benefit students
Miami, April 1, 2022 – Miami Dade College (MDC) will host a reception fundraiser in support of the Patrick. F. Hidalgo Scholarship Fund at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, at MDC’s Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center (Meek Center) in Liberty City, where students will benefit from the late community leader and political strategist’s legacy fund created by his family, friends and colleagues. The reception is open to all who wish to contribute to this important endeavor. The 6:45 p.m. program of speakers, which will include City of Miami District 5 Commissioner and Chairwoman Christine King and other leaders, will be livestreamed at www.mdc.edu/livestream. Financial support for the fund is encouraged by visiting www.mdcfoundation.com/PatrickHidalgoFund.
The Patrick. F. Hidalgo Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships, mentorships and other important support resources to students at MDC’s acclaimed Meek Center. It was originally launched just after Patrick’s passing at 41, on March 2, 2020, as a Go Fund Me page by his longtime friend and colleague Stephanie Valencia, Co-Founder of Equis Research and a member of the Obama Administration, where Patrick also worked. Many others have since joined the effort, including Mayor Suarez, who is Patrick’s first cousin, several of his classmates from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and others.
Located at 6300 NW 7th Avenue, the Meek Center has a particular focus on educational opportunities in entrepreneurship, entrepreneur-led seminars and mentoring sessions, business-related programs, technology, community development and vocational programs that prepare students for today’s workforce and emerging industries. It has a full range of student and academic services including advisement, career counseling, financial aid, tutoring, and a food pantry. The Center also offers opportunities to engage in a variety of conferences and workshops. Students can complete academic programs, obtain educational requirements for an associate degree or attend as a convenient, centrally located facility for additional classes. Learn more at https://www.mdc.edu/meek/.
The reception will be catered by Patrick’s favorite restaurant in Overtown, the Lil Greenhouse Grill, where he spent many days while working in the neighborhood.
WHO: Miami Commission Chairwoman Christine King, MDC Leadership and Students, Family and Friends of Patrick F. Hidalgo
WHAT: Reception Fundraiser for the Patrick. F. Hidalgo Scholarship Fund
WHEN: Tuesday, April 12, 6 – 8 p.m., Program at 6:45 p.m.
WHERE: MDC Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center, 6300 NW 7th Avenue