Daisy Black was a mainstay in El Portal politics.
She served as mayor and a long time councilwoman of the quaint little village just North of Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, and remained active in local politics even when she wasn’t holding a seat on the dais.
Black announced earlier this year that she would broaden her political resume to run for the District 3 Miami-Dade County Commission seat against incumbent Audrey Edmonson.
After collapsing at a candidate forum Wednesday, Black died. She was 68.
Black was born in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood, the fifth child of eleven siblings.
She served on the Miami-Dade Homeles Trust, the Juvenile Justice Council and was a member of the local NAACP.
Some of the issues she championed for were access to affordable housing and restoration of voting rights.
As news of her death spread, friends and family took to social media to remember “a beautiful soul.”
“I along with countless others greatly benefited from her wisdom, presence, and support. She was an ardent supporter of our efforts to restore voting rights, and a champion for human right and dignity,” wrote Desmond Meade.
“May your beautiful soul rest in peace,” wrote Francesca Menes. “Your commitment to our community was invaluable. ”
