Orlando Standard

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has announced the selection of members for the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee, continuing efforts to maintain transparency in developing a permanent memorial at the Pulse site. The committee aims to recommend a conceptual design by the end of the year to honor the 49 lives lost in the tragedy.

The selection process began on June 7, 2024, when Dr. Larry Schooler introduced plans for a working advisory committee comprising victims' families, survivors, community leaders, and professionals with expertise in design and engineering. Over 150 applications were submitted by June 23 and reviewed anonymously by community leaders who then recommended individuals to Mayor Dyer.

The community leaders involved in this review were:

- JahKiya Bell, Ed.D., Senior Advisor to the President and CEO, Heart of Florida United Way

- Rev. Dr. Jose Rodriguez of the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King and Jésus de Nazaret

- Joél Junior Morales, Foundation Manager, Contigo Fund

- Jesse Arias, Director of Orlando United Resiliency Services (OURS), LGBT+ Center Orlando

The selected members of the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee are:

- Aracelis Maria Jimenez

- Brett Rigas

- Brian Reagan

- Carlitos Diaz Rodriguez

- Cesar Rodriguez

- Felicia Burt

- Jamie Reed

- Joshua Garcia

- Keinon Carter

- Kelly Dawson

- Rev. Marcelino Rivera

- Mayra Alvear BenabeI

- Norman Casiano-Mojica

- Nancy Rosado

- Perry T Snider Jr.

- Siclaly “Laly” M. Santiago-Leon

- Terrance Hunter

- Tommy Connelly

Monthly meetings will be held through year-end with updates available at pulseorlando.org/committee. The first meetings are scheduled for July 24 from 4 – 8 p.m. and July 25 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Kia Center's Hourglass Room on West Church Street.

Public participation is encouraged both virtually and in-person with sessions available in English and Spanish. Virtual access details can be found at pulseorlando.org/meetinginformation.

Additionally, families, survivors, and community members will have several opportunities over six months to provide input into the memorial’s design through community meetings and an online feedback platform.

An open house for public input is set for July 25 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Kia Center's White and Blue Rooms.

To further support transparency throughout this process, a dedicated website—pulseorlando.org—has been established to host historical records, information updates, and engagement opportunities related to the Orlando United Pulse Memorial.