Carlos Andres Robles Alvarez is the first blind Hispanic Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Losing his sight changed the course of his life. What followed gave him a new sense of purpose. By Kacie Tzuo Photo by Michael Dubrovin | IMAGE.Miami When Carlos Alvarez lost his sight at 19, he thought his time in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu mat was over. A high school friend had introduced him to the sport, a lifeline for Carlos after years of bullying over his congenital glaucoma. Carlos says he had...

Across the state, communities are restoring dunes, monitoring waterways and rebuilding living shorelines. Florida Climate Week is testing whether connecting those efforts can turn local progress into lasting statewide change. By Alexandra Escobar VoLo Foundation President Thais Lopez Vogel works alongside children from EcoClub, an after-school program inspiring young environmental stewards through hands-on learning When Thais Lopez Vogel, co-founder and president of VoLo Foundation, returned...

What if ROI stood not only for return on investment, but also for the ripples of impact we set in motion? In this op-ed, Miren Oca, founder and CEO of B Corp–certified Ocaquatics Swim School, reimagines how we measure the true value a business creates. Miren Oca | TEDxOvertown 2026 More than 18 years ago, a young man named Miguel came to interview for a job at Ocaquatics. He struggled to answer my questions in English, but I saw a spark in him and decided to give him an opportunity. Miguel...