Friends of The Underline hosted Miami’s inaugural Sneaker Ball on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Brickell City Centre, with generous support from Swire Properties. The event   together Miami’s elected officials, philanthropic leaders, and community advocates—sporting stylish sneakers—in celebration of the community’s linear park, urban trail, and public art destination. The evening surpassed expectations, raising over $500,000, playing a monumental role in funding the park’s continued operations and programming while advancing its mission of transforming Miami’s urban spaces, enhancing connectivity and livability. 

The night also honored Inter&Co, The Underline’s Exclusive Lifestyle Partner, for their groundbreaking contributions to the community and their integral role in supporting the growth of The Underline. As part of their ongoing commitment, Inter&Co will sponsor several key amenities at The Underline, including a Sound Stage and Rock Ridge Plaza to enhance the park’s entertainment offerings, The Grove Gallery, which will allow for expanded food and beverage services, and a bicycle share program, promoting sustainable transportation for visitors. The audience enjoyed a Samba performance to celebrate Inter&Co’s Brazilian roots.

One of  the Sneaker Ball’s magic moments was marked by the formal announcement of Eulois Cleckley as the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Friends of The Underline, who will join the organization in November. Cleckley, the current  Director of the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW), brings more than 20 years of leadership in transportation and mobility. His expertise and vision make him the ideal leader to help secure the resources needed for The Underline’s growth and community impact.

The Underline is composed of two nonprofit (501c3) organizations. The Friends of The Underline serves as the fundraising and advocacy arm of the project, while The Underline Conservancy operates and maintains the space, each with their own separate board of directors. This structure represents the essence of a public-private partnership (P3), where the collaboration between Miami-Dade County and these nonprofit organizations enables the development, funding, and long-term sustainability of The Underline. Patrice Gillespie Smith is the President and COO of the Conservancy and Meg Daly serves as chair of both organizations.

“The Sneaker Ball is more than a celebration—it represents our ongoing commitment to building a future where The Underline serves as a model for connected, accessible public spaces that integrate culture, art, walkability, and sustainability,” said Meg Daly, Founder and Chair of Friends of The Underline. “With Eulois’ expertise and leadership, I am confident we can take this transformative project to the next level, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him on board.”

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava recognized The Friends of The Underline and its generous donors integral role, stating, “The County of Miami-Dade has provided funding and space, but as a 3P public-private partnership, we can’t do it alone—we can only succeed with the support of people who share our vision for transforming underutilized spaces like The Underline into something remarkable. The success of the Sneaker Ball is a testament to the community’s commitment to making this vision a reality.”

Swire Properties President and Underline Board member Henry Bott echoed this sentiment, saying, ”As a proud supporter of The Underline, Swire Properties believes in the power of reimagining public spaces to create a more connected and vibrant Miami. The Underline embodies that spirit, showcasing how collaboration can transform underutilized spaces into places that inspire and bring our community together. We’re excited to see Eulois Cleckley lead this next chapter and look forward to the positive impact The Underline will continue to make in our city.”

Sponsor Lounge & Event Highlights

The evening kicked-off with an exclusive Sponsor Lounge, generously hosted by Braman Bentley Miami where VIP guests enjoyed a luxurious pre-event experience, featuring a runway show by Istituto Marangoni Miami and a roller skating performance. Following the Sponsor Lounge, the Sneaker Ball welcomed business and community leaders, and celebrities for an evening of entertainment and philanthropy. A highlight of the event was the curated silent auction, offering an array of luxury items such as adventure-themed getaways, high-performance bicycles, and gourmet dining experiences. Items included stays at Casa Chameleon in Costa Rica, weekends at Little Palm Island, a Cannondale high-performance bike, and more. The auction was a tremendous success, raising significant funds to support the development of The Underline, Miami’s 120-acre linear park and urban trail that aims to enhance the city’s connectivity, sustainability, and community engagement.