‘We believe in giving individuals their roses.’ Rick Ross gets own day in hometown

C. Isaiah Smalls II
·2 min read

Rick Ross officially has a day named after him in his hometown.

The city of Miami Gardens declared March 13 Rick Ross “The Biggest Boss Day” following the multi-platinum rapper’s performance at the Jazz in the Gardens festival on Sunday.

“Rick Ross is an amazing artist, but also a remarkable member of the Miami Gardens community, who has never forgotten his home and where he grew up,” read an excerpt of the proclamation.

Celebrating that day could include anything from a community service event to a concert, said Miami Gardens Councilman Robert Stephens III.

“After contributing so much to our city and our community, we deemed it was necessary to express our appreciation to him,” Stephens said. “We believe in giving individuals their roses while they could smell them.”

Born William Leonard Roberts II, Ross was raised in the Carol City neighborhood of Miami Gardens. He graduated Miami Carol City High School where he starred as an offensive lineman, earning All-Dade first team honors in 1993. Ross then briefly attended Albany State University on a football scholarship before returning to Miami to pursue a career in music.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Robert L.Stephens III (@rlstephens3_)

The proclamation notes that he owns “many businesses” in Miami Gardens including a Checkers on 27th Avenue and 183rd Street, which he used to frequent after football games in high school. Although the area has seen more development since those days, the ethos of community never truly changed, according to Ross.

“If you somebody who want to be fascinated by the skyline, the ocean, the boats, that’s easy,” Ross told the Miami Herald in early March. “But if you want to get that real soulfulness, that down-home realness, come to my city. Come to Miami Gardens.”

The crowd reacts as rapper Rick Ross performs during Jazz in the Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium Arena in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, March 13, 2022.
The crowd reacts as rapper Rick Ross performs during Jazz in the Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium Arena in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, March 13, 2022.

The proclamation wrapped up Miami Gardens’ premiere two-day celebration of Black culture. Featuring performances from Mary J. Blige and the Isley Brothers, in addition to Ross, Jazz in Gardens attracted thousands of people from across the country after its two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.