United Way Miami is celebrating it's centennial birthday. Established less than three decades after Miami’s official incorporation on April 24, 1924, United Way Miami has supported local families for a century, contributing to the development of a resilient and thriving community. From navigating global pandemics to addressing natural disasters and inequities across diverse groups, United Way Miami has been a leader in the region.
“I am genuinely proud of this moment and honored to guide this remarkable organization through this pivotal milestone,” stated Symeria T. Hudson, President and CEO of United Way Miami. “As we stand on the cusp of a new era for United Way Miami, we are at the forefront of creating innovative solutions to the complex challenges faced by our residents. Through strategic partnerships, we are making a collective impact that extends well beyond our local boundaries. By uniting Miami’s public and private sectors, we amplify our efforts to uplift the community and achieve tangible, lasting outcomes.”
With Miami-Dade County undergoing rapid transformation, grappling with widening wage disparities, a high cost of living, and an oversupply of jobs relative to talent demand, United Way Miami is laser-focused on addressing these issues. The organization directly spearheads 14 initiatives to assist the underserved, providing funding, expertise, research, advocacy, public awareness, and volunteers to nearly 100 programs across more than 60 local agencies. Each year, United Way Miami’s work positively impacts the lives of over 230,000 individuals.
Symeria T. Hudson assumed the role of president and CEO of United Way Miami in August 2022. With over thirty years of diversified experience, Symeria is a seasoned executive who brings both local and international nonprofit and corporate expertise to United Way Miami. Before joining the organization, Symeria served as president and CEO for Chapman Partnership, a prominent local nonprofit providing comprehensive services to empower the homeless population into self-sufficiency.
Symeria holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University. She has been recognized by many organizations, such as The South Florida Business Journal – 2023 Power Leaders in Corporate Philanthropy, ChamberSOUTH Annual Business Excellence Awards – Visionary of the Year and the Miami Marlins – Women Empowerment Night Game Changer Award, to name a few. In her spare time, Symeria enjoys spending time with her husband, Gary Hudson, and their son, Garrett Hudson. Symeria is an avid runner and has completed 13 Chicago marathons. She enjoys leadership and self-help programs as well as books.