A big thank you to our ministry partner Christian Business Mens Connection (CBMC). Check them out at https://www.cbmcsouthflorida.com

He was the mayor of Miami Lakes for nearly 12 years, but the part that stops us cold is this: the salary was about $20,000 a year. So while Manny Sid is cutting ribbons and handling community crises, he’s also teaching classes, working weekends at his restaurant, and trying to stay present with his family. That’s the backdrop for a candid conversation about integrity, visibility, and what leadership feels like when the spotlight follows you into everyday life.

We trace Manny’s story from his parents Cuban exile roots and a faith that wasn’t always safe to practice, to a defining moment when a woman sat outside City Hall praying for him on the National Day of Prayer. From there, we talk about civic life at street level: why people know their mayor but often can’t name their state representative, and how that disconnect shapes what residents expect from local government.

Manny also breaks down his current role in Miami-Dade County strategic procurement as assistant director for small and local business development. If you care about Miami-Dade small business resources, government contracting, local business certification, and building a stronger local economy, you’ll get practical insight into how the county buys everything from fuel to food and why contracting with local supply chains can keep dollars circulating longer in the community. We also revisit COVID leadership, mental health support, and the tough call to push for reopening to protect mom-and-pop businesses.