HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-24-0502City of Miami
Resolution R-24-0502
Legislation
City Hall
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 17003 Final Action Date: 12/12/2024
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION, BY A FOUR -FIFTHS
AFFIRMATIVE (4/5THS) VOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 54-137 OF THE
CODE OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA, AS AMENDED ("CITY CODE")
WAIVING THE RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO STREET RENAMING
CONTAINED THEREIN, CODESIGNATING NORTHWEST 11TH AVENUE
BETWEEN NORTHWEST 58TH STREET AND NORTHWEST 60TH STREET
AS "LUTHER CAMPBELL WAY," THEREBY ACKNOWLEDGING LUTHER
CAMPBELL'S COMMUNITY SERVICE, CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSIC
INDUSTRY, AND ADVOCACY FOR FREE SPEECH; PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
SPONSOR(S): Mayor Francis X. Suarez, Commissioner Damian Pardo,
Commissioner Manolo Reyes, Commissioner Christine King
WHEREAS, Luther Roderick Campbell, also known as "Uncle Luke," was born on
December 22, 1960, in Miami, Florida, to parents of Bahamian and Jamaican ancestry; and
WHEREAS, Luther Campbell graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School in
1979, and later enrolled in an eight -week study course at Miami public radio station WDNA,
where he learned basic audio editing and production techniques; and
WHEREAS, Luther Campbell began his career in the early 1980s, working as a cook
at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach and promoting rap groups of the era in Miami; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, Luther Campbell discovered the California -based rap group 2
Live Crew, bringing them to Miami and started managing the group, eventually joining the
group, and leading to the formation of Luke Records f/k/a Luke Skyywalker Records; and
WHEREAS, under Luther Campbell's leadership, 2 Live Crew released several
successful albums, including "The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are" (1986), "Move Somethin"'
(1988), and the controversial "As Nasty As They Wanna Be" (1989), which became the first
album in history to be deemed legally obscene; and
WHEREAS, Luther Campbell's advocacy for free speech was highlighted during the
1990 obscenity trial, which ultimately led to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling that
protected the groups' First Amendment rights and that of other artists; and
WHEREAS, Luther Campbell can be credited with fighting for the right to be able
parody the song "Pretty Woman," which led to a United States Supreme Court ruling that a
commercial parody can qualify as fair use and the lyrics of the original and the parody
enshrined in the legal opinion; and
WHEREAS, beyond his music career, Luther Campbell has been involved in various
ventures, including hosting a sports talk radio show, appearing in films and video games, and
City of Miami Page 1 of 3 File ID: 17003 (Revision:) Printed On: 8/12/2025
File ID: 17003 Enactment Number: R-24-0502
running for Mayor of Miami -Dade County in 2011; and
WHEREAS. Luther Campbell has also enriched many as a freelance writer with his
column in the Miami New Times titled "Luke's Gospel," which gives insight to matters
affecting the community and country at large; and
WHEREAS, Luther Campbell has made significant contributions to the Miami
community through his extensive community service efforts, including mentoring youth,
supporting local schools, and organizing charitable events, founding the Liberty City Optimist
Club at Charles Hadley Park; and
WHEREAS, Luther Campbell's career in high school football started in 2009 as the
linebackers coach at Miami Central High School and as of 2018, he is the head football coach
for Miami Edison High School, where he not only inspires his players on the football field but
takes his players on tours of colleges all across the Southeastern United States to further
encourage their educational pursuits; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 14317, adopted on September 26, 2024, provides that the
restrictions related to street co -designations, including the restriction on renaming named
streets, contained in Section 54-137 of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida ("City Code"),
may be waived by a four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote of the City Commissioners, or an
unanimous vote of the quorum that exists because of either abstentions or vacancies
resulting from resignation, death, suspension, or physical incapacitation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami wishes to honor Luther Campbell's enduring influence
and commitment to both the local community and broader cultural conversations by co -
designating a portion of Northwest 11th Avenue in his name;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are
adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission, by a four -fifths (4/5ths) affirmative vote, pursuant to
Section 54-137 of the City Code, hereby waives the restrictions related to street renaming
contained therein and co -designates Northwest 11th Avenue between Northwest 58th Street
and Northwest 60th Street as "Luther Campbell Way."
Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to
the Departments of Police, Fire -Rescue, and Solid Waste; the Miami -Dade County
Department of Transportation and Public Works; the Miami -Dade County Commissioner of
District 3; the United States Postal Service; and, if a State of Florida road, to the Florida
Department of Transportation, District Six, for sign installation within the newly designated
roadway.
Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
City of Miami Page 2 of 3 File ID: 17003 (Revision:) Printed on: 8/12/2025
File ID: 17003 Enactment Number: R-24-0502
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
ge Wy j ng III, C1ty ttor -y 12/3/2024
City of Miami Page 3 of 3 File ID: 17003 (Revision:) Printed on: 8/12/2025