Over 200 bankers, community development leaders, real estate brokers, organizational heads, NHS homeowners and individuals from various communities turned out for NHS' recent annual meeting held at the Radisson Miami. Long-time community development expert Barbara Romani was this year's honoree and keynote speaker. Impassioned and motivted, she shared her thoughts on community development and the progress of Neighborhood Housing Services.

Executive Director and President Arden Shank introduced Romani, later handing her a commemorative plaque and unique piece of African-American art. Joined by Board Member Patricia Algaze, the two beamed as they handed her the items.

Generously funded by area banks, sponsors included:

Presenting Sponsors ($5,000 and above)
Citibank Florida
Commercebank
HSBC Bank U.S.A.

City Builders ($2,500 to $4,999)
Bank United
Hemisphere Bank
Washington Mutual

Neighborhood Builders ($1,500 to $2,499)
City National Bank
Commercial Bank
Delta National Bank
Fannie Mae
Regions Financial Coropration

Block Builders ($500 to $1,499)
BankAtlantic
Continental National Bank of Florida
Great Florida Bank
Metrobank
SunTrust

Don Phoenix, Neighborworks® America Southern District Director; Wayne Carter, representing Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Gerard Philippeaux, Public Affairs and Policy Director for Miami-Dade Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, and other officials came to pay tribute to and acknowledge both Honoree Romani and the achievements and successes of Neighborhood Housing Services.

The energy level was high as MC Marc Williams, NHS Director of Homeownership Training, stepped up to the dais. With live jazz generating ambiance and business networking galore, the meeting proceeded under the theme of "Breaking Ground-Building Lives." Touching on groundbreakings in West Little River and Homestead this past year, Williams also referred to NHS exceeding homeownership goals, with 170 families becoming new homeowners during the past year.

Demonstrating visible results of homeownership training and lending, single mother Martha Denis and Alex and Augustine Sanon expressed their thanks to NHS for all their help in becoming homeowners.

Another highlight included comments from Daniella Levine, Executive Director of the Human Services Coalition. Levine shared news concerning an upcoming Housing Summit that would address recent housing uproars in the area.

Adding yet more sizzle, Radisson Miami generously donated a two-day stay at the hotel, part of a free drawing package.

Planning Committee Members included Board Members Maria-Lee Forbes, Ramona Exum, Beverly Kovach, and Luldina Quinones.