Amara La Negra, Maffio and Tony Cao at City of Miramar’s First Fridays: Network & Chill

The First Fridays: Network & Chill series is celebrating Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month.  Join Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam and the Economic Development & Housing Department on Friday, October 2, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Bind Space at Miramar. Admission is free with RSVP.  

Designed for adults ages 21 and older, First Fridays: Network & Chill creates an engaging environment where attendees can expand their professional networks, exchange ideas, discover new opportunities and gain valuable insights from accomplished industry leaders.  The goal of this monthly Fall series is to bring together entrepreneurs, small business owners, creatives and emerging professionals for an evening of networking and business development.

Headlining the October event are Amara La Negra, Maffio and Tony Cao. Entrepreneurs Amara and Maffio have influential careers in the Latin Music industry.  Tony is a third-generation Cuban - American baker, entrepreneur, and co-founder/CEO of CAO Bakery & Café⁠.

Beyond music and television, Amara has established herself as a multifaceted entrepreneur.  In 2025, she debuted her first fragrance, Eternal Beauty. She currently serves as a daytime television host on Univision’s nationally syndicated talk show Desiguales and has appeared on Love & Hip Hop: Miami.  Amara is a two-time published children’s author and the creator of Amarita’s Way, a book series that encourages young readers to embrace self-love, confidence, individuality, and cultural pride. 

Maffio, is a multi-platinum, seven-time Grammy and Latin Grammy award-winning producer and recording artist.  He has production credits for Pitbull, Akon, Farruko, Nicky Jam, Wisin, Anitta, Shaggy, Fonseca, Olga Tañón and Elvis Crespo.

Tony is carrying forward a family baking tradition that began with his grandfather, Antonio Cao, founder of Vicky Bakery. He began working in the family bakery at age 13, learning baking, customer service, and operations directly from his grandfather and later his father. 

In 2018, Tony and childhood friend Carlos De Varona transformed several Vicky Bakery locations into CAO Bakery & Café, creating a more contemporary concept blending traditional Cuban flavors with Tony’s Cuban - American upbringing.  Under his leadership, CAO has expanded to more than 20 locations across Florida, while maintaining signature products such as pastelitos, croquetas, Cuban sandwiches, and cafecito. Tony’s broader vision is to take the family legacy beyond South Florida and develop CAO—short for “Cuban American Original”—into a recognizable Cuban- American café brand across Florida and eventually nationwide. 

"First Fridays: Network & Chill reflects our commitment to investing in the people who drive Miramar's economy, our entrepreneurs, professionals, innovators and aspiring business leaders," said Mayor Wayne M. Messam. "The Fall Season continues that mission by providing access to nationally recognized speakers, valuable networking opportunities and real conversations that inspire growth, collaboration and success. We invite everyone to come out, connect and be part of Miramar's thriving business community."

Event Details: When: Friday, October 2, 2026,

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:30 p.m.)

Where:  Bind Space at Miramar

3150 SW 145^th Avenue, Miramar, FL

The series will continue the first Friday of each month:

• October 2, 2026
• November 6, 2026 

• December 4, 2026

Each event will feature influential guest speakers, networking opportunities and resources designed to support business growth, leadership development and entrepreneurship.  Previous month’s guest speakers have included DJ Irie, Rohan Marley, Spectacular Smith, Pretty Vee, Trick Daddy, Chris Smith, Tiffany Willis, Louis Oliver and more.

Registration is free but required. Space is limited, reserve your spot today at MiramarFirstFridays.Eventbrite.com.