She’s 99 and still fighting for Black and Hispanic rights — and mentoring a new generation

Cairo Eubanks is just 27, but she has a mission to seek out mentors to learn how they make the world a better place.

Eubanks, who is Miss Black Florida, was surprised when a new mentor was introduced to her in 2019. They are about seven decades apart in age.

“I remember the first time my father told me about Ms. Lynne. He explained to me that he wanted to introduce me to a community advocate in her 90s, with a much better memory than us both. And he was right!” Eubanks said.

Her dad is Willis Eubanks of Global Oved Dei Seminary and University, an interfaith e-learning global center with corporate offices in Miramar.

“Ms. Lynne” is community leader Lynne Warrick, who is preparing to celebrate her 100th birthday on April 24, 2023. At the recent Hispanic Women of Distinction Awards luncheon ceremony, she was acknowledged and celebrated. Warrick was also inducted into the Fort Lauderdale Hall of Fame.

For Eubanks, their relationship is an honor.

“Although I have been blessed to have had many impactful mentors, Ms. Lynne is certainly unique. How many people can say that their mentor has nearly a century’s worth of life experiences and knowledge that they can directly provide them?!

“Several of our mentorship sessions have been her imparting knowledge on interracial and intercultural advocacy work while being on the Board of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education in the ’80s and her participation on bipartisan and nonpartisan committees.

“One fact that has always stuck out for me has been her determination to stand up for the rights of others. This includes those who do not look like her. She told me how she was a strong ally for Historically Black Colleges and Universities through NAFEO, and how critical it was for her work to blur color lines between Black and white people — especially at a time of segregation and then integration,” Eubanks said.

At the Hispanic Women of Distinction Awards in August, Eubanks said they were holding hands as everyone celebrated Warrick.

“Ms. Lynne squeezed my hand and smiled, and immediately told me that she intended to ‘pass the baton’ to me to continue the work that she had started decades ago.”

The Lynne Warrick Institute was founded in 2004 to realize Warrick’s dreams of helping youth become the future leaders that South Florida needs.

She had a 25-year career with the U.S. Department of Defense before starting her own video production business. Other accomplishments include being the first woman to take the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command course. Her video production company, National Color, became one of the leading suppliers of film and video services to the federal government.

She also started Lynne Warrick Enterprises Inc. with the goal of helping small businesses to broker private/government sector partnerships especially minority enterprise development.

Eubanks said she and Warrick share a love of advocacy, giving back and compassion. Mostly, they share a mission of “empowerment through education.”

And like Warrick, Eubanks is on her way to accomplishments that help others be wiser, braver and bolder. She received the 2022 Young Pacesetter for Africa Development Award on Africa Day at the United Nations.

Eubanks recently brought her Bringing the Globe ed-tech resource platform to Miami Norland Senior High, where she and a group of panelists spoke to 250 girls.

Bringing the Globe develops online courses and resources for parents and teens. Eubanks created and designed the online certificate courses “Operation: STOP Cyber Harassment” and “Storytelling with a Purpose” to “empower teens with the tools they need to first advocate for themselves so that they can advocate for others.”

“The conversations I had with students at Norland were genuine and beautiful,” Eubanks said. “I’m so honored to get to work directly to empower students in our community.” Learn more at www.bringingtheglobe.com

Miami record label celebrates new releases

Congratulations to Houndstooth Cottage, the nonprofit record label from Miami, with the release of three albums in October.

Houndstooth just received the Best Record Label 2022 from Miami New Times. The organization hosts music events, art exhibitions and happenings all over.

“Houndstooth Cottage seeks to contribute to the surrounding communities through performance, exhibits and community service,” said Tony Kapel. He and his wife, Maitejosune Urrechaga, created Houndstooth Cottage in 2013, and since then, they have represented more than 20 releases in formats ranging from vinyl to CD to cassette.

“Ultimately, the HC goals are to advocate leadership among artists/musicians to foster personal growth,” Kapel said. He and Urrechaga are the duo behind noise rock band Pocket of Lollipops.

The Oct. 15 party at Epoca Brewing in North Miami kicked off with live music from The Associates during their monthly Tidal Tracks. They were followed by Weird Makers Brian Smith, then Pocket of Lollipops. The evening closed with Personal Demons, celebrating their album release.

Look for the HC Lop-Off Sessions coinciding with Art Basel/Miami week at Feria Clandestina at the Seven Seas Motel on Biscayne Boulevard. The four-day fair will host artists, galleries, and independent projects from Miami, Amsterdam, Mexico City and Guadalajara.

You can help support HC at https://gofund.me/3a044f0a and learn more at www.houndstoothcottage.com

Write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com with news for this column.

This story was originally published November 10, 2022 at 6:00 AM.