Memorial Engagement Process

On June 7, 2024, Dr. Larry Schooler announced the creation of a working Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee to consist of members representing victims’ families, survivors and other stakeholders, as well as community leaders and those with technical experience in design and engineering, such as landscape architects.   

More than 150 individuals submitted applications to join the committee by the June 23 deadline. Of the applicants, 35% identified as Hispanic and 50% identified as being directly impacted by the tragedy, as a survivor, family member or friend of the victims or a first responder.  

The applications were reviewed without name or personal identifying information by a group of community leaders who made a recommendation to Mayor Dyer of individuals to serve on the committee.  

Those community leaders 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 the Orlando United Resiliency Services (OURS), LGBT+ Center Orlando 

On July 10, 2024, the city announced the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee will consist of the following 18 members:  

• Aracelis Maria Jimenez, lost a family member in the tragedy 
• Brett Rigas, survivor and lost a family member in the tragedy
• Brian Reagan, survivor, former Pulse employee, artist
• Carlitos Diaz Rodriguez, family member of a survivor, architect/design professional, landscape architect, artist
• Cesar Rodriguez, survivor 
• Felica Burt, lost a family member in the tragedy
• Jamie Reed, lost a friend in the tragedy, architect/design professional, marketing professional
• Joshua Garcia, former Pulse employee, provided services after the tragedy, mental health professional
• Keinon Carter, survivor 
• Kelly Dawson, lives in the Orlando area and felt the loss as a community member, architect/design professional
• Rev. Marcelino Rivera, lost a friend in the tragedy, provided services after the tragedy, clergy and artist
• Mayra Alvear BenabeI, lost a family member in the tragedy
• Norman Casiano-Mojica, survivor
• Nancy Rosado, provided services after the tragedy, mental health professional, community advocate, former first responder 
• Perry T Snider Jr., lost a friend in the tragedy, former Pulse employee, artist
• Siclaly “Laly” M. Santiago-Leon, lost a family member in the tragedy
• Terrance Hunter, regularly visited or patronized Pulse, educator and museum professional
• Tommy Connelly, survivor, artist 

Of the 18 invited to participate on the Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee, all had a direct relationship to the tragedy and/or had a profession that was specifically requested during the application process.  

More specifically, 17 indicated having a direct relationship to the tragedy, whether that be they lost a family member, are a survivor, lost a loved one or friend, worked at or regularly visited Pulse or directly assisted with the response to the tragedy.  

Of the 18 Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee members: 

• 10 lost a family member or are a survivor of the tragedy 
• 10 identify as Hispanic, three as Black or African American and five as White
• Eight identify as male, seven as female and three as non-binary or androgynous