The Circle of Brotherhood Stands Its Ground

The Circle of Brotherhood Stands Its Ground. The Most Impactful Moments of a Call Miami Cannot Ignore

“The Brother’s Cry”: Lyle Muhammad’s Urgent Plea for the Survival of the Circle of Brotherhood
Miami, FL – Before a crowd gathered on the campus of the Circle of Brotherhood in the heart of Brownsville, Executive Director Lyle Muhammad didn’t speak as a politician or an official. He spoke as a brother. And his message was clear, raw, and deeply human.

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“I was going to climb onto that roof… and I wasn’t coming down until we raised what we needed.”

That’s how Muhammad opened his speech, comparing the federal defunding to a moral crisis. With a firm voice, he made it clear that the cause is not negotiable:

“We got into legal trouble this morning, but this is serious. We will not be moved!”

On April 22, his organization received an email notifying the immediate termination of their federal contract, along with 364 others.

“Do you know why I was going to get on that roof? Because these people go into the neighborhood every day, working with our youth. They are essential workers. And I wasn’t coming down until we had what we needed to pay them.”

The Exact Number: $1,598,227.23

That’s the amount required to keep the full team running for one year.

“If I can keep the people, I can keep the work. But if I lose these people, I lose the work,” he said, pointing to the staff by his side.
“They are not replaceable. They’re the first-round picks. Out of more than 90 applicants, they’re the best. And I’m not willing to let them go that easily.”

With strength, he condemned the institutional double standard:

“When funding for COB drops, homicides rise. Do your own math.”

“During COVID, doctors were essential. We are the doctors of this violence.”

Muhammad denounced the absurdity of cutting off support to those saving lives in the streets, while millions are spent on trivialities:

“Did you know that last week someone raised $600,000 after calling a child a ‘nigger’ and getting relocated? And we’re the ones being denied support? This is a call to the world.”

“We’re Not Asking for Votes. We’re Asking for Payment.”

Turning directly to politicians, Muhammad was blunt:

“We don’t want recommendation letters or nice statements. We want checks. We want you to put your money where your mouth is.”

“If you don’t believe in this work, leave us alone. But if you support it, do what needs to be done.”

He publicly acknowledged figures like former Mayor Carlos Giménez and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson for their support, but clarified:

“Do you know how much the county has invested in our community violence prevention programs? Zero. ZERO.”
“And yet, we’ve reduced homicides by over 80% in the zip codes we serve.”

“We Go Day by Day, Week by Week… Until We Reach That Goal.”

The fundraising target was laid out with precision, and his message was firm:

“This is not a protest. This is a mission. If just the Black population of Overtown and Brownsville each donated $25, we’d raise $400,000 instantly.”

Final Message: “See the Vision. Support the Mission.”

Holding up a T-shirt designed by a man freed after 32 years in prison, Muhammad ended with a challenge:

“No more speeches. No more excuses. Support the mission. Because washing cars is better than washing blood off the sidewalks.”

Key Note

The federal government has launched a review process to filter which organizations truly deserve violence prevention funding. This pause doesn’t mean the money is lost—it’s an opportunity to prioritize those who have proven their impact through results and sacrifice.

Organizations like Circle of Brotherhood, with a spotless track record and measurable achievements, should be among the first to be reinstated. Backed by thousands, their work speaks for itself—and that will be seen by many, including the federal government.

How to Help

Website: circleofbrotherhoodmiami.org
In-person donations: 5120 NW 24th Ave, Miami, FL 33142
Major gifts contact: egardner@cobmiami.org
Follow the campaign: @CircleofBrotherhood

“We are not victims. We are warriors.”

SHARE. SUPPORT. ACT.

#SupportCOB #SeeTheVision #SaveTheMission

Call to Action:

• May 7 – Rally held in Washington D.C. and Miami
• Demand transparency and real support from your local authorities

“Justice is not charity. It’s an investment in shared humanity.” — Brother Lyle Muhammad

3 WAYS TO GIVE

✅ GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/353067df
✅ Cash App: $1bro1hood (Memo: CVI)
✅ Mail Checks To:
Circle Of Brotherhood Inc.
5120 NW 24TH AVE
Miami FL 33142

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!