When a community renames a public building after a leader, it signals more than recognition, it affirms lasting impact. In Lauderdale Lakes, that affirmation comes with the renaming of the city’s multicultural hub as the Hazelle P. Rogers Multipurpose Center, honoring Hazelle P. Rogers for decades of service as Mayor, Florida State Representative, and Broward County Commissioner.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Rogers immigrated to the United States as a teenager and later made South Florida her home. Her early involvement in neighborhood and civic initiatives, often focused on community support and engagement, laid the groundwork for a career defined by accessibility and service, particularly within Broward County’s Caribbean-American and immigrant communities.
Rogers’ municipal career included years on the city commission and service as Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes, a period widely credited with strengthening community-focused programs and civic participation. Her leadership also carried symbolic significance, expanding representation for Caribbean-American communities in South Florida’s political landscape.
Rogers served as a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2016, representing Broward-area districts until term limits concluded her tenure. Her committee work addressed practical policy areas, finance, health, and public services, closely aligned with the needs of working families and local governments.
Following her state service, Rogers returned to local governance as a Broward County Commissioner, maintaining influence over countywide systems that shape daily life, from community services to infrastructure and resilience planning. For Lauderdale Lakes, this continuity underscored her long-term commitment across every level of government.
Multipurpose centers function as a city’s “living room”, hosting seniors’ programs, youth initiatives, cultural events, workforce workshops, and emergency coordination. Naming such a space for Rogers ties her legacy directly to the everyday life of residents.
City leaders recommended the renaming during a June 2025 commission workshop, with a formal Renaming Ceremony scheduled for January 8, 2026, at the center’s location on NW 36th Street. The action recognizes Rogers’ sustained leadership and tangible contributions to the city.
Beyond honoring one individual, the Hazelle P. Rogers Multipurpose Center stands as a statement of possibility. It reflects a belief that steady public service, rooted in community, can become part of a city’s permanent fabric, inspiring future leaders to follow a similar path of commitment and impact.
