[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E275]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING MIA POINSETTE AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR 
                         WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2024

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Mia Poinsette is an award-winning disruptive 
philanthropist and respected community leader. She is the founder and 
executive director of the Poinsette Foundation, a self-funded nonprofit 
that invests in ideas that empower underestimated women and children of 
color. Since launching in 2022, the foundation has helped thousands of 
Central Florida families through more than 80 community partners.
  In Osceola County, the foundation's contributions include sponsoring 
nearly 60 children at the Kissimmee and St. Cloud Boys and Girls Club 
during the holiday season. In addition, the ``The Poinsette Foundation 
Team Space'' in Osceola, Oak Ridge, and Ocoee High Schools collectively 
supports nearly 1,000 students enrolled in the Junior Achievement 3DE 
program.
  Mia demonstrates additional commitment to her community by serving as 
a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Osceola County, Women 
United, the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council, Women's Executive Council, 
and Women on the Rise. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer also appointed Mia to 
serve on the Mennello Museum of American Art's Board of Trustees.
  Mia graduated from multiple leadership programs, including the Black 
Boardroom Leadership Institute's 2022 leadership track, Leadership 
Orlando Class 103, and the 2023 ATHENA NextGen Cohort. She is currently 
enrolled in Leadership Osceola.
  Recognized for her impactful footprint in the community, Mia is the 
recipient of the Osceola Magic Change Maker award, Heart of Florida 
United Way's 2023 Change Maker: Women United Impact award, the Women's 
Executive Council's 2023 Women of Achievement: Central Florida 
Influencer award, Women on the Rise's 2023 Community Impact Leader 
award, and Women on the Rise's 2023 Inspirational Deeva award.
  Mia earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Johns Hopkins 
University and is pursuing a graduate degree in government at Harvard 
University.
  Happily married with two children, Mia is also a violinist and an 
avid traveler in her free time.

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