- Albert E. Dotson, Jr., hosted ceremony installing M-DCC Board of Directors' new officers -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – MIAMI – South Florida’s business and civic leaders gathered Thursday evening as the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce chairman’s gavel passed to its new leader. Ricardo Forbes, corporate vice president and chief diversity officer at Baptist Health South Florida, was officially installed as chairman of the M-DCC Board of Directors. The event, hosted by renowned Miami attorney, Albert E. Dotson, Jr., was held at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod, LLP. Judge Orlando Prescott of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida performed the installation ceremony, swearing-in the chamber board of directors’ 2012-2014 officers.

“It is a great honor and responsibility to take over as chairman of the Miami-Dade chamber,” said Ricardo Forbes in his address. “These next two years, we will build on its past leaders’ great work and broaden our economic mark on South Florida through inclusion, partnership and collaboration.”

From the workforce to workplace and wider South Florida community, Forbes has spearheaded Baptist Health’s effort to build the best place for diversity. As the chief diversity officer, Forbes works closely with human resources staff charged with recruiting, hiring and developing retention programs for the 15,000 employees throughout Baptist Health South Florida’s health care facilities. Under his leadership, Baptist Health has been nationally recognized for its diversity programs and policies.

“This is a critical time for our chamber,” said Bill Diggs, chamber president & CEO. “With the continued growth of the Miami skyline, the Port of Miami projects moving forward, plus the Marlins ballpark opening, there should be plenty of opportunities for South Florida’s black businesses. But in order for that to happen, we must continue to be the strong, advocate chamber that we are. Mr. Forbes has a great reputation in this community, and I’m confident he will continue to forge key relationships benefitting our members.

Forbes was joined by a notable list of board officers also being installed. They included: Valerie Crawford (chair-elect), president, Crawford Enterprises; Fred Jackson (immediate past chair), chairman, Beecher Jackson; Aletha Player (vice chair), manager, corporate & internal affairs, Florida Power & Light Company; and Al West (treasurer), senior vice president, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Founded in 1974, the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce leads the way towards long-term prosperity by providing advocacy, networking, resources, and training to minority businesses in South Florida. It was established out of a need for a strong organization that could objectively advocate the needs of a growing black business community. Considered the "go-to" organization for small, minority businesses in South Florida, the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce strives to provide a world of business opportunities for its members. It does this by planning strategic marketing efforts and effective business developments for the 21st century and beyond.