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Miami Beach Mayor Gelber, ‘Confederate Currency: The Color of Money,’ and horses healing hearts

 Painting by African-American artist John W. Jones
Courtesy of Dwayne Rayner Partners In Racial Justice
Painting by African-American artist John W. Jones.

Miami Beach voters said yes to change. An art exhibit looks at money, specifically the money from the Confederacy and its link to slavery. Plus, a local organization helps children deal with trauma by teaching them about horses.

On this Thursday, Nov. 4, edition of Sundial:

Miami Beach Mayor Gelber 

Miami Beach voters reelected Mayor Dan Gelber for a third consecutive term. They also voted in favor of a 2 a.m. booze ban referendum, supporting a plan that was previously rejected by voters in 2017.

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Mayor Gelber joined Sundial to discuss his plans for the city. We also heard from hospitality workers and listeners.

Read more here.

Miami Beach Mayor Gelber
 Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber poses with supporters at an Election Night watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021

‘Confederate Currency: The Color of Money’ 

Did you know money from the confederate South featured hidden images of enslaved people?

African-American artist John W. Jones recreated those images into beautiful, colorful paintings.

His goal is to provide a sense of dignity for those enslaved people — and shed new light on the relationship between slavery and America's economic power.

The paintings are now on display at the African-American Research Library And Cultural Center in Broward County.

“People don't really learn about this. It does get overlooked, to recognize that America's greatness in terms of economic power would not have been there, had [it] not been for the enslaved individuals whose backs it was built upon,” said Dwayne Rayner, who co-produced the exhibit and is the executive director of the organization Partners In Racial Justice.

Makiba Foster, the library’s regional manager also joined Sundial to discuss the history portrayed in this artwork.

The exhibit is titled “Confederate Currency: The Color of Money” and it’s open to the public until January 2022. Find more information here.

‘Confederate Currency: The Color of Money’
Painting by African American Artist John W. Jones.

Horses Healing Hearts

Nearly one in four kids in the U.S. grow up in a home where substance abuse is present, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

That was the story for Liz Olszewski. She eventually launched Horses Healing Hearts, a group where kids who grew up with substance abuse in the home can find healing by learning how to ride and care for horses.

There’s a documentary called "Without Wings" that focuses on Olszewski’s story and the kids she’s helped. That film will premiere Saturday at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

Find showtimes and information here.

Horses Healing Hearts

Leslie Ovalle Atkinson is the former lead producer behind Sundial. As a multimedia producer, she also worked on visual and digital storytelling.