Be Strong International’s Hearts in Rhythm 2026 Delivers Powerful Night of Youth Transformation in Miami
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Sold-out waterfront event honors community leaders and highlights life-changing impact of Heart Skills® programs
Be Strong International’s Hearts in Rhythm on the River 2026 concluded on April 30 with a sold-out gathering of community leaders, philanthropists and supporters at Seaspice Brasserie & Lounge. The annual event celebrated the organization’s impact on youth and families across South Florida while raising critical support for its Heart Skills® programs that equip young people with tools for fostering stronger relationships at home, in school, and in the community.
Set along the Miami River, the evening was filled with vibrant energy as guests connected, shared stories, and celebrated the life-changing work of Be Strong International. The ambiance reflected a true sense of unity and purpose, as attendees engaged in heartfelt conversations and experienced firsthand how Be Strong International’s programs are transforming the lives of youth by building confidence, improving communication at home and fostering connection among their peers as a result of the organization’s Heart Skills® programs.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Stronger Together Award to four distinguished leaders: Cathy Burgos, Director of the Community Services Department for Miami-Dade County; George Joseph, President and CEO of Dade County Federal Credit Union; Rodrick T. Miller, President and CEO of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council; and Madeline Pumariega, President of Miami-Dade College. Each honoree expressed deep gratitude and pride in receiving the recognition, underscoring their shared commitment to strengthening the South Florida community. Reflecting on the mission of Be Strong International, Madeline Pumariega shared, “Successful people have heart. Be Strong International’s focus on helping youth and teens develop those heart skills not only strengthens our community, it strengthens who we are as individuals. I am honored to receive this award because our values are truly aligned.”
The program also featured an inspiring moment from 2026 Rising Star student Kristel Gonzalez, who delivered a powerful and heartfelt speech about her journey in Be Strong’s after-school program. Kristel shared how the program helped her build confidence, form meaningful friendships, and develop essential life skills she did not have before, especially Heart Skills®, which transformed her relationships with her family, friends, and teachers. Her story served as a powerful reminder of the organization’s lasting impact on youth.
“Hearts in Rhythm is more than an event. It is a reflection of what happens when a community comes together to invest in the next generation,” said Michelle Shirley, CEO and Chief Heart Officer of Be Strong International. “The energy in the room and the stories shared remind us that transformation is possible, and it starts with equipping young people with the right tools.”
This event was made possible through the generous support and championship of community partners, including TD Bank, Amazon, Mastercard, Dade County Federal Credit Union, Evo Air, and MPS Credit Union, among many other institutions committed to advancing the mission of Be Strong International. Proceeds from the event will directly support Be Strong International’s programs serving youth and families across Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Click the gallery to view the pictures of the evening:
We use cookies to optimize our website and our service.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
By selecting the recurring donation option, you authorize Be Strong International (BSI) to charge the payment method provided on a recurring monthly basis for the donation amount specified. Charges will occur on or around the same date each month, beginning on the date ofthe first transaction.
You may cancel or modify your recurring donation at any time by contacting us at bestrongintl.org/contact-us. All transactions are securely processed, and your information is handled with the utmost care in accordance with our privacy policy.
Thank you for supporting Be Strong International’s mission to empower and strengthen individuals and families.
Third-Party Payment Processing Fees
When making a donation through our website, a small portion of your contribution goes toward third-party processing fees charged by Stripe. These fees help facilitate secure transactions and ensure your donation is processed safely and efficiently.
Standard Stripe Fees:
Online Transactions: For domestic cards, Stripe charges 2.9% plus $0.30 per successful transaction. + 0.5% for manually entered cards + 1.5% for international cards + 1% if currency conversion is required ACH Direct Debit: Stripe charges 0.8% per transaction, capped at a maximum fee of $5.00.
To help cover these costs and ensure 100% of your intended donation supports our mission, you have the option to include these fees in your total donation amount. Thank you for your generosity and support!
