Thread by @cunningpscott

I was asked by a newcomer to be more welcoming to the incoming tech community. So here’s my version of a welcome mat to Miami: a thread for #miamitech

1. We can’t welcome you if you don’t know where you are where. My “Miami reading list” is a thread for another day but start here: A World More Concrete by N.D.B. Connolly. Not only the best book about Miami but maybe the best book about a city, period.

2. Ok I lied. One more book. The Halfway House by Guillermo Rosales. Because you can tell the truth in fiction too.

3. You want to invest in Miami? I’ve got some investments for you. Donate to/volunteer with/support the following orgs. The return on your investment is a better city.

4. @Ex4Change @mavenleaders @bookleggers @cjpmiami @EngageMIA @TransitMIA @MiamiFoundation (racial equality fund) @MiamiBookFair @MoonlighterMIA @DiasporaVibe @LotusHouse1 @youngmusiciansu @art_prevails @OLCDC @educatetomorrow @UrbanImpactLab @learn01io @info_melody

5. Oh I got more: @thrdhrzn @guitarsoverguns @LocalProgress @GLBTQAlliance @MiamiHomes4All @RootsBlackHouse @seek_inc @MiaMusicProject @nwsymphony @A4LMiami @Dream_in_Green @Bas_Fisher @Miamilighthouse @mialightproject @pamm @NuDecoEnsemble @airieverglades @OCINEMA

6. More: @MiamiWaterkpr @MexAmCouncil @miami_freedom @LeapForLadies & a few who aren’t on Twitter : transsocial.org miaminewdrama.org pelicanharbor.org freeplastic.org

7. Miami is BURSTING w/ artistic talent. Way too many to name but here’s 5 I love: @najjak @monilaurasimone @lasanalfabetas @misaelsoto @NadegeGreen and if you want to know more ask @mfsirmans @KnightArts @oolitearts @mitchellakaplan @gael_lelamer @_ninajohnson

8. An easy way to get involved is #givemiamiday hosted by @MiamiFoundation but that’s the starting place, not the end point. Ask ppl w/ at least 1 foot in tech who care about Miami for more: @rflipsey @rsm @TheRealWifi @BrianBrackeen @cksopher @BrucePinchbeck @LABuchananESQ

9. Can’t believe this is coming so late on the thread but read & support real local journalism. @MiamiHerald @OneHeraldGuild @WLRN @miamitimes @MiamiNewTimes @newtropicmiami @BiscayneTimes and also not real local journalism @the_plantain

And some of the best journos anywhere: @Carlos_Frias @OgleConnie @GenXStoryteller @harrisalexc @BiancaJoanie @AliciaZuckerman @NickNehamas @samanthajgross @travisjcohen @katielepri @RodriguezRene @inaminorkey @TooMuchMe @PatriciaMazzei @HudsonsView @NutmegRadio @lrobertsonmiami

Seriously so many great journalists @jakeflorida @CMorganHerald @rjwile @SuzetteLaboy @thefrankness @HowardCohen @LDixon_3 @grantstern @ErikPetersen @miamicrime @cearmario @jesssswan @ojcorral @dannysanchez @conarck @Onz_11

Plus 3 great local follows: @kevinamezaga @miamiabel @jasonkatzwrites & even our sports ball guys are incredible: @Alf954 @EthanJSkolnick @byChrisJoseph @LeBatardShow @GregSylvander @gregcote & we’ve got a member supported soccer team @BiscayneBaySC

10. Udonis Haslem. That’s it. That’s the tweet.

11. We have great libraries. Use them. Support them. @MDPLS @um_spec_coll @BlackArchives @FIULibraries @wolfsonian (& there’s more - ask @ntsandler - he’s the library nerd)

12. Get out of Wynwood / Brickell / Downtown / MB and go explore the other neighborhoods that constitute the majority of Miami. The best stuff is outside the core. Don’t ask anyone to spoon feed you. Go find it for yourself.

13. Inequality in Miami is actually worse (.52 Gini) than SF (.51). Maybe that’s a selling point for some newcomers? For us it’s a huge problem, and one that supersedes the need for tunnels in Brickell. Prove you care about it and you’ve got a supporter in me.

14. Howard Herring from @nwsymphony often says, Talent is evenly distributed, opportunity is not. Miami has so much talent thwarted by structural barriers. Unlock a tiny fraction of that and you’ll succeed AND you’ll improve the city.

15. The Future is big business here. It’s what we peddle. Be wary of anyone who doesn’t know and openly talk about Miami’s past. @HistoryMiami is a good place to start. Also @IslandiaJournal for the fun & weird. Marvin Dunn at @FIUCASE is THE guy.

16. There’s a ton of great ppl/orgs/places missing from this thread. Miami is too big, too complex. No one is a guide to this place or a guru. Don’t trust anyone who says they are.

17. Most of us are from somewhere else. Do you love this place for what it really is? Or is Miami a means to a personal end? If you prove you love it, you’re a local. And there is nothing better in the world than getting to say you’re a part of Miami.

18. So welcome to Miami. Whether you realize it or not, you made the best decision in the world to come here. Don’t fuck it up.