Yanira Cardona, the first Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for the City of Jacksonville, is leaving her post after two years of service to become General Manager of the Phoenix Arts District.
Jacksonville ’s first Hispanic outreach coordinator steps down, takes on new role with Phoenix Arts DistrictFamily of child injured in school bus crash on Zoo Parkway plans to pursue legal actionYanira"Yaya" Cardona has been serving as Jacksonville 's Hispanic Outreach Coordinator since March 2024.
, the first Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for the City of Jacksonville, is leaving her post after two years of service to become General Manager of the Phoenix Arts District. “Serving as the first Hispanic Outreach Coordinator for the City of Jacksonville has been more than a title — it has been a responsibility I carried with deep pride, purpose, and heart,” Cardona How this Puerto Rican woman became the driving force behind events celebrating the Hispanic community in Jacksonville In her resignation letter to Jacksonville Mayor Deegan, Cardona recalled helping organize town halls connecting Deegan with the city’s Hispanic community even before the role officially existed — back when Deegan was still on the campaign trail. “I remember the promises you made about diversifying boards, creating new opportunities, and building a city that truly represents all of its people,” Cardona wrote in her resignation letter. “To not only witness but be part of that journey as Jacksonville elected its first female Mayor was an experience of a lifetime.” The Hispanic Outreach Coordinator position was created under Mayor Deegan, who said it was designed to connect Jacksonville’s growing Hispanic population to city services and civic life. “I am truly grateful for Yaya’s service to our community,” Deegan said following Cardona’s resignation. “Today, the community is more connected to the city than ever before because of Yaya’s dedication to the work of making every voice heard.” During her two years of service, Cardona helped small businesses through the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business program, known as JSEB, supported HealthLink Jax, organized town halls and helped build Unidos Jax, a space celebrating Hispanic culture.after posting a video from her office, addressing reports of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, activity across Northeast Florida. In the social media video, Cardona can be heard asking families to have a plan in case they get arrested and to “stay home” if there’s no need to go outside. “If you get pulled over, as much as we want to huff and puff, please comply,” Cardona said in the video.“There was nothing she said that was illegal,” Deegan said. “The reason she was put on administrative leave because we have a policy in the city. We have a mayor who is the spokesperson for the city, and we have people who follow policy that if you are going to create any social media content. that can be misconstrued as coming from the mayor, that has to come through me or our communications office,” Deegan said.announced that he sent a “criminal subpoena” to Deegan’s administration, saying one of the city’s employees may have impeded immigration enforcement. The request specifically sought work-related emails, texts, and documents from Cardona containing words such as “Nazi,” “Gestapo,” “stormtrooper,” or “terrorize.”Looking ahead, Cardona said she hopes to one day return to her hometown of Guánica, Puerto Rico, and run for mayor. For now, she’s focused on her new chapter — and leaving the community with this message:Kaitlyn is a Jacksonville native who started her career at Channel 4 in 2012 as a producer and now oversees the News4JAX+ streaming channel. She graduated from Fletcher High School and is a proud Florida Gator.Local businesses anticipate impacts from Pearl Street Square developmentReady for some fun at the Clay County Fair?Florida’s SAVE Act to change voter registration rule4 kindergarten students hurt, semi smashes back of school bus crossing train tracks on Zoo ParkwayTeal Tower: Thousands of old EverBank Stadium seats ready to be recycledVisitors relive Moon-mission memories as Artemis II lights up the sky | 'Sends chills through me'A St. Johns County mother’s push for ‘Trenton’s Law’ gains attention after Tiger Woods DUI arrestJaguars, Orlando officials unveil team's 2027 temporary homeramps at First Coast Expressway, SR 16 interchange officially open ahead of Clay County FairForecast: 100% chance of cute as kindergartners bring letters to News4JAX meteorologist Katie GarnerJacksonville gas prices surge & diesel prices set new recordsJacksonville Jaguars fans react to NFL's decision to move team for 2027 season
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bay Area arts: 9 cool shows and concerts to catch this weekendOpera al fresco, a rollicking blues fundraiser and a Cambodian festival in Oakland top our roundup of stuff to see and do this weekend and beyond.
Read more »
Suspect arrested in connection with 2023 Phoenix murder at Steele Indian School ParkAt around 11 p.m. on February 5, 2023, officers were called to Steele Indian School Park and found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound in her running vehicle. She was later pronounced dead.
Read more »
Man arrested in connection with deadly 2023 shooting: Phoenix PDPhoenix Police say a man has been arrested for his alleged role in the shooting death of his girlfriend three years ago.
Read more »
An Orange County staple celebrates 40 years with a new Hispanic initiative: L.A. arts and culture this weekendSegerstrom Center for the Arts is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an exciting new season and the launch of a Hispanic initiative
Read more »
Analysis: Why does arts advocacy matter? Here’s why: ‘The arts are under attack’On April 2, Arts, Culture & Creativity Month, a statewide initiative now in its eighth year, was launched in San Diego, “where Mexico meets the United States, where this fusion of community and culture really creates something…
Read more »
Suspect arrested after body found inside trunk in PhoenixPolice believe 44-year-old Derek Standridge was killed inside a hotel room near 24th and Van Buren streets before being loaded into a trunk and driven away from the scene. The suspect in the murder, 26-year-old Charlie Carldwell, was arrested.
Read more »