| . |
Voter Accessibility, the 2006 Transportation Survey for the
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce's 2006 Transportation
Summit, the 2007 Miami-Dade Expressway Authority Market
Analysis, and the 2008 Education Compact for the City of Miami
Gardens and the Miami-Dade County School Board.
At 25 she quit her job in South Florida, picked up and moved to San
Diego, California to be with a woman she fell in love with and spoken
to for over a year. Nov 8th Prop 8 was on the ballot and the
presidential election was right around the corner.
“I lost my mind for a while (lol), met someone who lived in
California, fell in love, and had everything going (in my
career), but felt I had not had a life for as long as I can
remember.” - Vanessa Brito
“I didn't really know I was going to move to California. I got there on
September 11th and got married on September 11th. Because we
don’t have that right (to get married) readily available, the moment
I got to California and was in love, the opportunity pushed us and
didn't give us the chance to think about it. If there was equality
across the board, people would jump at the opportunity to it.
Getting married was the best experience of my life. The downside
was my mom and sister being disappointed that I didn't tell them
beforehand.”
Brito experienced her first taste of leadership &
recognition in the second grade. “I was always very to
myself… I was a chubby little lesbian girl. I would sit at
the end of the cafeteria table alone because everyone
would cheat off my papers and I didn't like that. The
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce's 2006 Transportation
Summit, the 2007 Miami-Dade Expressway Authority Market
Analysis, and the 2008 Education Compact for the City of Miami
Gardens and the Miami-Dade County School Board.
At 25 she quit her job in South Florida, picked up and moved to San
Diego, California to be with a woman she fell in love with and spoken
to for over a year. Nov 8th Prop 8 was on the ballot and the
presidential election was right around the corner.
“I lost my mind for a while (lol), met someone who lived in
California, fell in love, and had everything going (in my
career), but felt I had not had a life for as long as I can
remember.” - Vanessa Brito
“I didn't really know I was going to move to California. I got there on
September 11th and got married on September 11th. Because we
don’t have that right (to get married) readily available, the moment
I got to California and was in love, the opportunity pushed us and
didn't give us the chance to think about it. If there was equality
across the board, people would jump at the opportunity to it.
Getting married was the best experience of my life. The downside
was my mom and sister being disappointed that I didn't tell them
beforehand.”
Brito experienced her first taste of leadership &
recognition in the second grade. “I was always very to
myself… I was a chubby little lesbian girl. I would sit at
the end of the cafeteria table alone because everyone
would cheat off my papers and I didn't like that. The
“It is amazing seeing Vanessa trying to save the world and
bringing people together while most of us are acting to
protect our own interest, finding ways to create uneven
halves. said Natacha Abreu, Director of Business Solutions
Strategy and Sales Operation for Xerox Distributor Group.
"I have learned from her that nothing in the world will be more
gratifying than favoring others. She has changed my life”
added Abreu.
Brito is just beginning to blossom as a community
leader, woman and role model. The education
she received in school, at home and in life so far
has served well as a foundation to do great things
for others.
Like many movers & shakers, Brito also has her critics, and is
working on not over-committing herself, not burning bridges in
the community, knowing when & how to trust the right people
and follow through.
The experience of having Brito on the board of directors of
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, writing for Ambiente
Magazine, watching her lead & inspire others and getting to
know her personal, private & vulnerable side has led me to
the conclusion that all sides are right in what they say of her.
She does manipulate what she says for the greater good. She
does convince you to work with her cause with a winning
smile, promise and vision of what can be. She does seem to
be to good to be true. But so far, her actions & results for
clients, causes and loved ones greatly outweigh any shortfalls
or overly zealous approach she may have or take.
bringing people together while most of us are acting to
protect our own interest, finding ways to create uneven
halves. said Natacha Abreu, Director of Business Solutions
Strategy and Sales Operation for Xerox Distributor Group.
"I have learned from her that nothing in the world will be more
gratifying than favoring others. She has changed my life”
added Abreu.
Brito is just beginning to blossom as a community
leader, woman and role model. The education
she received in school, at home and in life so far
has served well as a foundation to do great things
for others.
Like many movers & shakers, Brito also has her critics, and is
working on not over-committing herself, not burning bridges in
the community, knowing when & how to trust the right people
and follow through.
The experience of having Brito on the board of directors of
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida, writing for Ambiente
Magazine, watching her lead & inspire others and getting to
know her personal, private & vulnerable side has led me to
the conclusion that all sides are right in what they say of her.
She does manipulate what she says for the greater good. She
does convince you to work with her cause with a winning
smile, promise and vision of what can be. She does seem to
be to good to be true. But so far, her actions & results for
clients, causes and loved ones greatly outweigh any shortfalls
or overly zealous approach she may have or take.
www.ambiente.us FEBRUARY | FEBRERO 2010
VANESSA BRITO | Leading the LGBT Community by Example
By Herb Sosa
It is 3:30 am, and Brito is already running around here West Miami-Dade home,
getting ready for her most recent trip to help out with the Haitian Relief Effort.
This time it is into the Dominican Republic to escort supplies & to help out with
coordinating volunteers & medical teams on the ground and en route to Port Au
Prince later in the day. She is on 3 hours sleep, Cuban coffee and her never
ending drive and perseverance to help those that need it the most. Next stop -
a face to face with the Dept. of Health. No Puedo (I can’t take it) she texts me,
but anyone who has ever worked with Vanessa knows she not only can handle it,
but thrives on the pressure and challenges of making a difference.
Born in Miami Beach to a Portuguese mother & Spaniard father, Brito learned
early on about leadership, carving your own path and figuring things out on your
feet. Family, especially her mom, aunt & sister, are vital to her life and strength.
She has her B.A. and M.A. in Political Science from Florida International
University. During her five year tenure with the FIU Metropolitan Center, she
served as the FIU Project Manager for the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan
Planning Organization quarterly and annual newsletters as well their
Citizen's Guide to Transportation. Ms. Brito
has also served as the Project Manager
for the 2006, 2007, and 2008 City of Miami
EITC Outreach Campaigns, the 2006
Broward County Exit Poll on Hispanic
VANESSA BRITO | Leading the LGBT Community by Example
By Herb Sosa
It is 3:30 am, and Brito is already running around here West Miami-Dade home,
getting ready for her most recent trip to help out with the Haitian Relief Effort.
This time it is into the Dominican Republic to escort supplies & to help out with
coordinating volunteers & medical teams on the ground and en route to Port Au
Prince later in the day. She is on 3 hours sleep, Cuban coffee and her never
ending drive and perseverance to help those that need it the most. Next stop -
a face to face with the Dept. of Health. No Puedo (I can’t take it) she texts me,
but anyone who has ever worked with Vanessa knows she not only can handle it,
but thrives on the pressure and challenges of making a difference.
Born in Miami Beach to a Portuguese mother & Spaniard father, Brito learned
early on about leadership, carving your own path and figuring things out on your
feet. Family, especially her mom, aunt & sister, are vital to her life and strength.
She has her B.A. and M.A. in Political Science from Florida International
University. During her five year tenure with the FIU Metropolitan Center, she
served as the FIU Project Manager for the Miami-Dade County Metropolitan
Planning Organization quarterly and annual newsletters as well their
Citizen's Guide to Transportation. Ms. Brito
has also served as the Project Manager
for the 2006, 2007, and 2008 City of Miami
EITC Outreach Campaigns, the 2006
Broward County Exit Poll on Hispanic
| . |
teachers were apparently watching me, and all of a sudden, the
room went silent and one of the teachers came up to me with a
microphone, pointing out the kids all should look up to, and they gave
me a stuffed green dinosaur- I still have it, love it… it was my first
symbol of recognition. It still feels the same way every time I am
recognized. Even though I was ands still am very shy in front of
crowds.”
Vanessa currently serves as a Board Member on the Miami-Dade
room went silent and one of the teachers came up to me with a
microphone, pointing out the kids all should look up to, and they gave
me a stuffed green dinosaur- I still have it, love it… it was my first
symbol of recognition. It still feels the same way every time I am
recognized. Even though I was ands still am very shy in front of
crowds.”
Vanessa currently serves as a Board Member on the Miami-Dade
| . |
Vanessa is responsible for designing methodology
and managing public opinion surveys and all market
research projects undertaken by MYami Maketing
Inc. She also takes the lead on all strategic planning
and marketing development for all clients.
| . |
| County Climate Change Task Force and the Miami-Dade County Equal Opportunity Board. In addition, she is a contributing writer to Miami. com and Miami.com en Español, committee member to SAVE Dade Foundation's Communications and Marketing Committee, a Federal Club member of the Human Rights Campaign, a host committee member of the "Black Crossroads" at the Historical Museum of South Florida, Advisory Board member to the Latin Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and board member of Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida. Most recently, Brito took the lead for Unity Coalition| Coalición Unida in a Haitian Relief Effort of donations & leadership following their devastating Earthquake in January 2010 which claimed over 200,000 lives and countless injuries. As a board member of the leading Latino|Hispanic gay civil-rights nonprofit initiative, offering leadership on issues that concern Latino|Hispanic LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) and other minority groups across the U.S., she and others knew they had to help out and act fast. Within hours of the news, Brito was on the phone & speed texting, pulling together her resources, clients, friends & community to organize a collection point that following weekend. The result was overwhelming, mushrooming into 5 drop off sites, a collection truck at Neat Stuff, a Miami are non-profit that Brito is also on the board of, and a steady stream of volunteers, donations and emotions all day. She didn’t stop there. Brito continued her leadership role to help Haiti by establishing relationships with several airlines to get the much needed medical & food supplies to the island – even when other well established organizations had their items grounded in warehouses in the U.S. – she managed to figure out how to expedite the process, develop instant partnerships and get the job done. |
| . |
To date, Brito has supervised multiple containers full of hundreds
of thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies, wheelchairs,
walker, crutches, surgical materials, medicines, food &
emergency housing, as well as flying to the island herself on
various missions to escort the donations, assuring their successful
delivery to those in need. She has assisted the U.N. , U.S. &
Haitian governments, along with various other agencies, to
secure volunteers and their travel & safety needs – All this with a
perfectly motionless Mohawk, black framed glasses and constant
and captivating smile.
of thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies, wheelchairs,
walker, crutches, surgical materials, medicines, food &
emergency housing, as well as flying to the island herself on
various missions to escort the donations, assuring their successful
delivery to those in need. She has assisted the U.N. , U.S. &
Haitian governments, along with various other agencies, to
secure volunteers and their travel & safety needs – All this with a
perfectly motionless Mohawk, black framed glasses and constant
and captivating smile.
| . |
Consistency and repetition are Key. Being genuine
and sticking to your mission is paramount –
no matter how big or small an organization may be.
I have been very fortunate in life, but I have also
been very unlucky, incapacitated, unhappy and
hurt buy others actions. If I can help one person feel
better about themselves, weather by something
I said, something I was able to give them, whatever,
that motivates me most.
Helping my mom. She has serious physical
challenges and I help her on a daily basis.
She has taught me everything about strength,
leadership & love.
| . |
“As an Haitian myself, I will never able to say thank you
to you and your team down in Florida. These life saving
drugs you help put on that plane is priceless. We as a
nation have a long way to go, but because of people like
you guys; we hope for a better future. Now I am crying;
no time to cry, a lot to get done. Thanks.”
- Marc Payen of NYC, who works for the U.S. Housing Dept.
coordinating a good relationship and communications
between French speaking missions within the UN.
to you and your team down in Florida. These life saving
drugs you help put on that plane is priceless. We as a
nation have a long way to go, but because of people like
you guys; we hope for a better future. Now I am crying;
no time to cry, a lot to get done. Thanks.”
- Marc Payen of NYC, who works for the U.S. Housing Dept.
coordinating a good relationship and communications
between French speaking missions within the UN.
The Brito Effect
I look into the future, five, ten or maybe fifteen years from now, and I ask myself, over a
little “cafecito”, of course, where will the local LGBT movement be? What will it look like?
Who will lead it? True leaders are hard to find, mainly because it’s a tiring fight for justice
and equality. Plus, it’s a movement that relativity few respect. Sure the younger
generation is more ‘open’ to gays, but it doesn’t matter what age group is prepared to run
the local government. After all, politics will always remain politics, people are bought and
sold, and though once in a while we as a community of others are given a little justice, it’s
as easily taken away with the next election. But then…then I remember, I haven’t included
the ‘Brito Effect’. And that my LGBT friends will make all the difference.
I look into the future, five, ten or maybe fifteen years from now, and I ask myself, over a
little “cafecito”, of course, where will the local LGBT movement be? What will it look like?
Who will lead it? True leaders are hard to find, mainly because it’s a tiring fight for justice
and equality. Plus, it’s a movement that relativity few respect. Sure the younger
generation is more ‘open’ to gays, but it doesn’t matter what age group is prepared to run
the local government. After all, politics will always remain politics, people are bought and
sold, and though once in a while we as a community of others are given a little justice, it’s
as easily taken away with the next election. But then…then I remember, I haven’t included
the ‘Brito Effect’. And that my LGBT friends will make all the difference.
| . |
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| “Neat Stuff is proud to have had one of its own board members Vanessa Brito, step forth and take the lead in our community’s collaborative effort to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Vanessa’s courage, tenacity, and endless energy ensured the successful outcome of the Haiti Relief Effort and undoubtedly culminated in our increased ability to ship much needed assistance.” - Franklin Monjarrez, Executive Director, Neat Stuff Inc "Vanessa is undoubtedly one of the best things that’s ever happened to UC|CU. Her leadership skills, teamwork efforts and integrity are untouchable... She is an Angel in disguise with lipstick!" - Dahlia Canes, a founding board member of Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida “While some focus on maintaining grass-root efforts by focusing on keeping those who have been active engaged, Vanessa goes a step further by trying to inspire others to join in the cause and inspiring those who are involved in a particular cause to collectively assist with other causes. This was most evident by her mobilizing the LGBT community to assist the relief efforts in Haiti, something others might have simply dismissed as ‘not our cause.’” - Florida State Representative Richard Steinberg |
| . |
The “Brito Effect” is our future. What is it? Simply the political works and aspirations
of one openly gay, proud Lesbian that has more fuel, stamina, and determination
in her engine than a Canadian train traveling from Canada to Moscow, stopping in
Florida then back again non-stop. And those of us who know her know she’ll beat
that train hands down, and be back to share a little “cafecito con un pastelito de
guayaba” with her friends before the train ever reaches its destination.
What is it that distinguishes Ms. Brito from every other leader in the LGBT
community? What is it that drives this twenty-six year old,
highly skilled, and gifted woman, from giving her soul to the egalitarianism that all
citizens were once promised in the United States Constitution? Why has she
sacrificed most of her youth forgoing her own personal needs, her own individual
desires for some superficial instant gratification that Lesbians seem so fond of?
Indeed relinquishing that particular spice of drama is practically unheard of. And
for what? What is the alternative that Vanessa Brito opted for instead?
A cause that cry’s out her vision, that calls her name, that invites her to struggle
for justice, to request and demand equality for all people, for everyone that has
been disenfranchised not just her own special, exclusive interest
group. - Maria A. Hernandez
of one openly gay, proud Lesbian that has more fuel, stamina, and determination
in her engine than a Canadian train traveling from Canada to Moscow, stopping in
Florida then back again non-stop. And those of us who know her know she’ll beat
that train hands down, and be back to share a little “cafecito con un pastelito de
guayaba” with her friends before the train ever reaches its destination.
What is it that distinguishes Ms. Brito from every other leader in the LGBT
community? What is it that drives this twenty-six year old,
highly skilled, and gifted woman, from giving her soul to the egalitarianism that all
citizens were once promised in the United States Constitution? Why has she
sacrificed most of her youth forgoing her own personal needs, her own individual
desires for some superficial instant gratification that Lesbians seem so fond of?
Indeed relinquishing that particular spice of drama is practically unheard of. And
for what? What is the alternative that Vanessa Brito opted for instead?
A cause that cry’s out her vision, that calls her name, that invites her to struggle
for justice, to request and demand equality for all people, for everyone that has
been disenfranchised not just her own special, exclusive interest
group. - Maria A. Hernandez
| . |
Another group Vanessa has been very involved with locally has
been SAVE Dade. Established in 1993, SAVE accomplishes its
mission through education initiatives, outreach, grassroots
organizing, and advocacy. Executive Director CJ Ortuño said
"Vanessa Brito is at the forefront of LGBT political strategy. I've
had the fortunate opportunity to work side by side with her on two
SAVE Dade projects. Vanessa is one of our pillars of support
working to ensure the success of programs such as our Speakers'
Bureau Training and Woman's Committee.
We will look to Vanessa to provide her expertise in political
messaging and media essentials as we develop and launch a
Speakers' Bureau to gain the support of the movable middle
voters. In order to achieve success in this program, she is working
with GLAAD and other organizations to develop the core
curriculum to be introduced to participants.
As a Woman's Committee member we will rely on Vanessa's
sphere of influence as the committee aims to develop women
leaders in political advocacy. With a goal of engaging more
women, Vanessa will assist with the financial sustainability of the
project and its intended programming to achieving its intended
outcome.
SAVE Dade's future depends on its ability to engage a wide
variety of leaders, most importantly women leaders. Vanessa's
actions will pave the way for younger lesbians to get involved in
the political process and see the LGBT movement as a place that
is worthy of their time and energy. Without their help we extend
the time line for achieving equality, Vanessa is doing her part to
ensuring that we reach that day quicker and more efficiently than
anticipated."
been SAVE Dade. Established in 1993, SAVE accomplishes its
mission through education initiatives, outreach, grassroots
organizing, and advocacy. Executive Director CJ Ortuño said
"Vanessa Brito is at the forefront of LGBT political strategy. I've
had the fortunate opportunity to work side by side with her on two
SAVE Dade projects. Vanessa is one of our pillars of support
working to ensure the success of programs such as our Speakers'
Bureau Training and Woman's Committee.
We will look to Vanessa to provide her expertise in political
messaging and media essentials as we develop and launch a
Speakers' Bureau to gain the support of the movable middle
voters. In order to achieve success in this program, she is working
with GLAAD and other organizations to develop the core
curriculum to be introduced to participants.
As a Woman's Committee member we will rely on Vanessa's
sphere of influence as the committee aims to develop women
leaders in political advocacy. With a goal of engaging more
women, Vanessa will assist with the financial sustainability of the
project and its intended programming to achieving its intended
outcome.
SAVE Dade's future depends on its ability to engage a wide
variety of leaders, most importantly women leaders. Vanessa's
actions will pave the way for younger lesbians to get involved in
the political process and see the LGBT movement as a place that
is worthy of their time and energy. Without their help we extend
the time line for achieving equality, Vanessa is doing her part to
ensuring that we reach that day quicker and more efficiently than
anticipated."
Brito's humbleness, relentless energy and drive, empower her
and all around her to do more. Expect much from her -
including many more projects & ideas, a more visible
leadership in the LGBT community, calls & texts & new ideas
at all hours, and probably being our U.S. President someday,
but not until she turns 35!
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE.
Do not reproduce without citing this source.
and all around her to do more. Expect much from her -
including many more projects & ideas, a more visible
leadership in the LGBT community, calls & texts & new ideas
at all hours, and probably being our U.S. President someday,
but not until she turns 35!
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE.
Do not reproduce without citing this source.
| . |
| . |