Around the turn of the 20th Century, black people coming to Miami to work on Henry Flagler’s railroad were relegated to live in “Colored Town.” They faced discrimination and the wrath of Jim Crow, yet Overtown grew into a vibrant community — the Harlem of the South. When Miami’s growth encroached on Overtown, the neighborhood lost many of the places that made it shine. Like Clyde Killen’s Pool Hall, where some of the country’s top black artists performed late at night after they played shows in Miami Beach. Clyde Killen’s is being reborn into a restaurant from star chef Marcus Samuelsson. David Beckham plans to put his Major League Soccer stadium in Overtown. And talented Miami couple Jamila Ross and Akino West are about to open their Copper Door Bed & Breakfast nearby. The neighborhood recently hosted BlackTech Week, drawing innovators and entrepreneurs from around the country. Overtown is enjoying a return to its glory days.
1. The Gallery
“Locust Projects has some stellar exhibitions lined up by Nancy Davidson and Miami-based artist Pepe Mar, and we are also participating in NADA Miami during Art Basel.”
3852 North Miami Avenue, Miami; 305-576-8570; locustprojects.org.
2. The Clothing
“I do the delivery services like MM.LaFleur. It is a great way to see a range of things you likely would not find in one store. I go for comfortable modern pieces that have an interesting cut, and I try to make them distinctive through accessories.”
3. The Makeup
“A colleague at Locust introduced me to Fenty Beauty, and I am so happy! Real-life skin tones that cover my sensitive, heat-flushed skin and have awesome staying power.”
Foundation, $34. Sephora, 721 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach; 305-532-0904; sephora.com.
4. The Restaurant
“I’m intrigued that there are still restaurants where you can expect the unexpected and be wowed every time. My faves at KYU Miami include the roasted grouper, Thai coconut creamed spinach and coconut cake.”
251 Northwest 25th Street, Miami; 786-077-0150; kyumiami.com.
5. The Art
“Miami’s museums and galleries pull out all the stops this time of year, and locals are lucky to go check them our before or after Basel. I’m looking forward to the Dara Friedman retrospective at Pérez Art Museum Miami.”
1103 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami; 305-375-3000; pamm.org.
6. The Late Night
“The Corner is my go-to bar. They have great cocktails made by attentive bartenders, an extensive beer selection and good noshes. It’s a reliable haven to keep those great conversations going.”
1035 North Miami Avenue, Miami; 305-961-7887; thecornermiami.com.
7. The Ring
“My grandmother’s color-coded drawers of vintage costume jewelry informed my collecting obsession. I’ll mix big and bold vintage statement pieces like ’70s black chains and ’50s multistrand beads with modern touches, including my Elsa Peretti Cabochon ring that looks like a crystal ball.”
$775. Tiffany & Co. at Miami Design District, 114 Northeast 39th Street, Miami; 305-428-1390; tiffany.com.
8. The Read
“The most beautifully written book I’ve read recently is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Richly visual, enchanting characters. Begs to be made into a movie. Can’t wait to see who they cast as Count Rostov!”
$27. Books & Books, 265 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables; 305-442-4408; booksandbooks.com.