Rod Mack Says His Community Roots and Financial Experience Can Bring ‘Real Leadership’ to Miami Gardens Council Seat 4

The youth football leader and finance professional laid out plans for safer neighborhoods, responsible development, stadium traffic relief and long-delayed improvements at Myrtle Grove Park.

For Roderick “Rod” Mack, the race for Miami Gardens City Council Residential Area Seat 4 is personal. He grew up in the city, attended local schools, and built much of his public identity around mentoring young people through youth football. Now, he says that same hands-on approach is what he wants to bring to City Hall.

Mack is one of three candidates seeking the nonpartisan seat in the Aug. 18 election, alongside educator and community advocate Mykita Cherry-Prime and substitute teacher and salon owner Angela Maria Wynter. The winner will serve a four-year term. Current Seat 4 Councilwoman Katrina Wilson is term-limited.

During an interview on Hy-Lo News’ Can We Talk podcast, Mack described himself as a product of Miami Gardens whose professional and community experience has prepared him to help lead the city through its next season of growth.

“Our community deserves leadership that’s present, that’s accountable and focused on the people that call Miami Gardens home,” Mack said.

Mack said he attended Myrtle Grove Elementary, Parkway and Lake Stevens middle schools and graduated from Monsignor Edward Pace High School, where he played football. He later attended the University of Miami and said he has spent more than two decades working in finance. His campaign website identifies him as the founder of Onyx Financial Management Group.

In the community, Mack is closely associated with the Miami Gardens Ravens youth football program. He said that work allowed him to build relationships with young athletes, parents, grandparents and community leaders while teaching discipline and skills that extend beyond the field.

He pointed to his finance and business management background as a key distinction in the race, saying experience developing financial plans and budgets would be valuable as the city weighs spending, development and the pressure residents feel from rising costs.

Mack’s growth plan starts with expanding Miami Gardens’ commercial tax base through hotels, retail and office space. He argued that responsible commercial development could spread more of the tax burden away from homeowners while allowing the city to maintain both its suburban neighborhoods and its entertainment destinations.

“The growth of Miami Gardens should benefit the people that call Miami Gardens home already.” — Rod Mack

“The growth of Miami Gardens should benefit the people that call Miami Gardens home already,” Mack said.

Traffic around Hard Rock Stadium remains one of the most visible quality-of-life issues in the city. Mack called the stadium an important economic engine that brings jobs, tourism and attention to local businesses, but acknowledged that nearby residents often carry an unfair share of the inconvenience.

His proposed response includes stronger coordination among stadium officials, the Florida Department of Transportation, local law enforcement and Miami-Dade County; off-site parking and game-day shuttles; and, over the long term, permanent mass transit serving the stadium area. Mack also proposed a standing group that would include neighborhood representatives, public safety officials, stadium representatives and city leaders.

“Our residents deserve a seat at the table and a voice,” he said.

Asked to rank concerns such as public safety, property taxes, illegal dumping and unpermitted RVs, Mack placed safety first. He said residents cannot fully enjoy their homes or neighborhoods if they do not feel safe and argued that unpermitted RVs used as living quarters can also create code enforcement and safety concerns.

Mack also promised to push stalled improvements at Myrtle Grove Park, a place he said shaped his childhood and now hosts his youth football program. “Within two years of me being there, we would have groundbreaking on Myrtle Grove Park,” he said. “I guarantee you that.” Any construction timetable would still depend on city funding, contracting and council action.

On council conduct, Mack said elected office would require him to remember that he is serving as a proxy for residents, not simply representing himself. He said criticism comes with leadership and that being elected does not give an official the right to disrespect residents.

Mack closed his case to voters by returning to the trust families have already placed in him through his youth work.

“You’ve already trusted me with your most prized possession. That’s your children,” Mack said. “You see the work that I can do.”

He said his priorities would include cleaner and safer neighborhoods, stronger support for seniors, an environment where families and businesses can thrive and better pathways for young people.

Miami Gardens’ municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. Because Seat 4 is a residential area seat, voters should confirm that they live within the district and verify their registration and polling information with the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections.