Reflections on the Zelaya Liger Power Mixer

Earlier this month, I stepped out of my hermit shell and into my first in-person networking event of 2025: the Zelaya Liger Power Mixer in North Miami. Hosted by my longtime friend Jeff and his wife Emma, it was more than a mixer, it was a masterclass in intentional connection.

Jeff and I go all the way back to our undergrad days at Florida International University. Over the years, I’ve watched him thrive as an entrepreneur and keynote speaker, always keeping faith at the center. Now, seeing him build alongside his wife, who is equally powerful in her own right, made the evening even more meaningful.

What made this event so special wasn’t just the energy, the elevated bites, or the setting. It was the purpose behind it. Jeff and Emma looked around their circle and said, “We know people who need to know each other,” and then they created a space to make that happen. That kind of intentionality is rare, it’s the kind of intentionality that lingers long after the evening ends.

It’s no surprise that I also found myself reconnecting with six or seven fellow FIU alumni that night. From undergrads to master’s and doctorate holders, it was a great bunch. Six degrees of an FIU Panther is real. #PantherPride 🐾

That spirit of leaning into your circle, that weekend I saw a clip of Kevin Hart in conversation with Issa Rae. Kevin said he never hesitates to call his real friends when he needs something, help, advice, or a connection, even the busy ones. Issa, the creative genius behind Insecure, Hoorae Media, and Viarae Prosecco, admitted she sometimes worries her busy friends won’t pick up. A fear I know I’ve shared. But Kevin’s response stuck with me: don’t hesitate and know that boldness and creativity go hand in hand with connection.

This mixer was more than just an event. It was a reminder that intentional connection matters, and that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply show up.

Shoutout to the connections that were made: Francesca Adcock, Mohales Deis, Veron Pless, JC, Oscar Cortes, Richard Maurisma and Jeff Mendelson.