The City of Lauderdale Lakes has officially renamed its Multipurpose Center in honor of longtime public servant Jamaican-American Commissioner Hazelle P. Rogers, recognizing decades of leadership and service that have helped shape the city and the wider South Florida region.
The renaming ceremony, held on January 8, 2026, at the facility located at 4340 NW 36th Street, brought together residents, community leaders, city staff, and elected officials to celebrate Rogers’ enduring legacy. The venue will now be known as the Hazelle P. Rogers Multipurpose Center.
Mayor Veronica Edwards Phillips described the honor as a fitting tribute to a leader whose impact has been deeply felt across Lauderdale Lakes.
“This renaming is a heartfelt and well-deserved tribute to a woman whose leadership, vision, and commitment to service have left an indelible mark on our city,” Phillips said. “Commissioner Rogers has dedicated her life to uplifting communities, championing equity, and ensuring that Lauderdale Lakes continues to move forward with purpose and pride.”
Rogers has served in public office for decades, including terms as Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes, Florida State Representative, and currently as a Broward County Commissioner. City officials noted that the renamed center will stand as a lasting symbol of her contributions and continue to host programs, services, and community events reflective of her commitment to community development.
A Jamaican national, Rogers is a trailblazer in Caribbean-American political leadership. She is the first person from the English-speaking Caribbean American diaspora elected to public office in the southern United States, launching her political career in Lauderdale Lakes in 1996.
In 2008, she made history again when she was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, becoming the first Jamaican and the second person from the English-speaking Caribbean to serve in the state legislature in Tallahassee. During her tenure, Rogers was a leading advocate for Caribbean diaspora initiatives and was instrumental in launching Caribbean Heritage Day celebrations at the Florida Capitol, highlighting the contributions of Caribbean-Americans to U.S. development.
Her work has earned widespread recognition. In 2012, she received the Jamaica Diaspora Honors “Changemaker” Award from the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami during celebrations marking Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence. She was also inducted into the Broward County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2004.
City officials said the Hazelle P. Rogers Multipurpose Center will continue to serve as a place for connection, growth, and civic engagement — reflecting the leadership and service that defined Rogers’ career and legacy.
