Blog Archives
Commissioner Mark Samuelian Celebration of Life Service
MIAMI BEACH, FL – Florida Armenians (FLArmenians) deeply mourns the sudden passing of Miami Beach Commissioner Mark Samuelian, who passed away surrounded by family and loved ones on June 22, 2022. He was 58 years old. Samuelian was a beloved member of the South Florida Armenian American community. Originally from Boston, MA, Samuelian moved to Miami Beach in 2003 and was immediately active in his local community.
Samuelian had just been reelected to his seat in 2021 after winning for the first time in 2017 on a “resident first” agenda, NBC News Chanel 6 Miami reported.
“Samuelian was the first Armenian American elected in Miami Dade County,” stated FLArmenians Editor Arsine Kaloustian. We are so grateful for his years of steadfast service and his lasting contributions to Miami Beach and to the South Florida Armenian American community. His loss will be felt not only regionally, but throughout the state,,” Kaloustian said.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said Samuelian was a “superb colleague and dedicated public servant.” Miami Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said his death is a “profound loss for our entire community.”
A Celebration of Life of Mark Samuelian will be held on Monday, July 11 at 4:00pm at the New World Center, 500 17 Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Public parking is available in the city garage at 640 17th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139.
You can watch online as the event will be LIVE STREAMED on the City of Miami Beach’s Facebook Page at 4:00pm.
Arsine Kaloustian Appointed Armenian Council of America’s Communication Director
WASHINGTON, DC — The Armenian Council of America (ACA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Arsine Kaloustian, a veteran community engagement, marketing, and communications specialist, as ACA’s Communications Director. In this role, Kaloustian will oversee all communications and public relations efforts for ACA.
“We are very excited to welcome Arsine aboard as she leads our national communications team” remarked ACA Chairman Sevak Khatchadorian. “Her extensive experience not only with Armenian-related issues but with journalism and communication in a professional capacity will be a great asset to our organization.”
Arsine Kaloustian is the Editor in Chief of both Palm Beach Social Diary and Sojourn Hamptons magazines, covering the arts, food, design, culture, music, and fashion that exemplify the affluent lifestyle. She has spent over 15 years working in marketing, and has a wealth of experience writing for both C-level executives and publications.Arsine has been an integral leader in the Armenian community over the last two decades.
She is the Co-Founder of FLArmenians.com, the largest Armenian American media outlet in the Southeast U.S. She previously served as the Florida Chair of the Armenian Assembly of America, as Global Social Media Director of the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief, and as the Chair of ‘Return to Asbury’ Kef Weekend in Asbury Park, NJ.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue advancing ACA’s mission during this important time in Armenian history,” Kaloustian said. “As ACA works to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Armenian American community, I look forward to helping the Armenian Council achieve our common goals of championing the causes and concerns of the American American community to both government entities and the media.”
As a grassroots organization, ACA is dedicated to working with all political leaders, offering Armenian related news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The ACA also aims to strengthen U.S. – Armenia and U.S. – Artsakh ties, the development of programs promoting sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.
City of Miami Beach Officially Recognizes the Armenian Genocide
Miami Beach City Commissioner Mark Samuelian
MIAMI BEACH, FL – On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, the City of Miami Beach, Florida passed a resolution officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide, reported FLArmenians.com.
The resolution was introduced by Miami Beach City Commissioner Mark Samuelian and passed unanimously.
“I am extremely proud of my Armenian heritage, and happy to have visited Armenia this summer and seen the wonderful countryside and its people. I commend the U.S. House of Representatives for condemning and recognizing the Armenian Genocide and proud of the City of Miami Beach for adopting this resolution,” Mark Samuelian said in a statement to FLArmenians.com. “In addition, I congratulate the Armenian Genocide Committee, Inc. (AGC) for its efforts in commemorating the Armenian Genocide here in South Florida. This is a significant step in honoring the history of the Armenian people and their contributions,” Samuelian said.
In 2017, Samuelian became the first Armenian American elected official in Miami-Dade County history.
“The City of Miami Beach is the first city in Miami-Dade County to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, and I know I speak for the thousands of Armenian Americans in Miami-Dade when I say ‘Thank You’ to Commissioner Samuelian, Mayor Gelber, and the entire City Commission on this historic occasion,” stated AGC Chairwoman Arsine Kaloustian. “As the Armenian American community in South Florida continues to grow, AGC will continue to build on our accomplishments and expand Armenian Genocide awareness, education, and affirmation in the Sunshine State,” Kaloustian said.
A copy of the resolution is available here.
Florida Armenians 