One Latina Transformed Miami’s Love for ‘Cafecito’ and Latino Culture Into ‘305 Day’, a Beloved March Tradition

JennyLee Molina 305 BELatina Latinx
Photo courtesy of JennyLee Molina (photographed, JennyLee Molina)

Edited on March 5, 2025.

Whenever people ask where I live, I never say Florida. I say Miami. I’ve done it for as long as I can remember, and it’s because this city is unlike any other. It might appear on a map as part of Florida, but in every other way, it stands apart. Locals call it the 305 (three-OH-five), and there is nowhere else quite like it. Sorry Orlando, but this is where the real magic happens.

Miami’s identity is shaped largely by its Latino community, which makes up more than 70 percent of the population, according to recent Census data. This cultural influence permeates every part of life. The streets pulse with Latin music, the aroma of cafecito lingers in the air, and Spanglish conversations are a daily norm. JennyLee Molina, a Latina publicist with deep ties to Miami’s community, recognized how integral this cultural energy was to the city’s identity.

JennyLee Molina 305 (2) BELatina Latina
Photo courtesy of JennyLee Molina

Inspired by this, she founded 305 Day, a celebration that brings together the people of Miami to honor all that makes the city special. Now, each March, the tradition grows, uniting the 305 in pride for the place they call home.

A Personal Story Rooted in Miami’s Struggles and Triumphs

Molina, who describes herself as a multi-hyphenated Cuban-American publicist, knows the essence of the 305 well. The accent, the cultural fusion, the vibe — it’s second nature.

She recalls the time when she ventured outside of Miami for her first major project after college, only to have her English mocked. One peer remarked that while she was speaking English, it sounded as though Spanish was the primary language.

“Then, everybody started laughing, and I almost felt embarrassed, like, ‘oh, I didn’t realize I had this weird accent’ — I always thought that I spoke English well because I read and wrote it,” she told BELatina during an exclusive interview.

Growing up in sunny South Florida, particularly in Hialeah, often referred to as “la ciudad que progresa” (the city that progresses), Molina experienced firsthand what makes Miami a city unlike any other. The stories of her immigrant family and their sacrifices shaped the foundation of her success.

Her family’s journey is not unique in Miami. Many South Floridians share the experience of uprooting their lives from their home countries. Molina’s own family arrived as exiles fleeing the Castro regime in Cuba.

“I know they made a lot of sacrifices for us when they came to this country, especially the way they came. They fled communist Cuba and were literally shot at. My mom was ten years old when their boat was shot at,” she explained.

The traumatic events of her mother’s early years left a lasting impact on the entire family. “My mom heard the shots as they were leaving. My grandfather screamed, ‘Don’t shoot, there are women and children on the boat!’”

Her mother went on to become the first in her family to attend college and build a career. These stories of survival and sacrifice became ingrained in JennyLee Molina’s values.

“I owe it to them.”

Molina reflects on how her family’s sacrifices shaped her perspective on success: “For me, it’s not just about, ‘oh, I want to be successful for the sake of being successful,’ — I feel like I have a sense of obligation to my family for the sacrifices they made. So, I think that that’s always the underlying motivation: not only do I want to make myself proud, my family proud, but also my grandparents, my family.”

From Social Media Campaign to Cultural Movement

Molina’s entrepreneurial drive is inspired by her grandfather, who raced horses and took on any job to support his family in Cuba. With this spirit and the lessons passed down from her family, Molina started 305 Day, a tradition that honors everything that makes Miami unique.

In 2013, she launched a social media campaign on Instagram with the handle @305Cafecito, celebrating Miami’s official cafecito time—3:05 p.m. It was a perfect match because Miami’s cafecito culture and the area code had already become intertwined. Add a guava and cheese pastelito, and you have a quintessential Miami moment.

Her mother’s favorite saying, “todo empieza con un granito de arena,” (everything starts with a grain of sand) guided Molina in the early days of the campaign. “When I started to see other people sharing their coffee moments at 3:05 with the hashtag 3:05 Cafecito, I started to realize it was more than a hashtag, and I really wanted to turn it into a platform that celebrated the Spanglish coffee culture that is Miami,” Molina reflected.

By 2014, the campaign was thriving. The growing momentum inspired Molina to create a larger platform to celebrate everything about the 305.

305 Day Becomes an Integral Miami Tradition

Molina’s next idea was to turn 305 Day into an event. “I thought, ‘well, how fun would it be to make 305 March 5th?’ Like 305 Cafecito’s annual celebration with free coffee and free pastelitos.”

The first 305 Day event took place at one of Miami’s most beloved ventanitas (walk-up windows) at the historic Versailles Restaurant. Despite only planning the event a few days in advance, over 300 people showed up for cafecito and pastelitos. The success of this first gathering was a clear indication of how the 305 had a cultural pull that could unite the community.

“Fast forward to today, and everyone talks about 305 Day. It has become like this viral thing.”

In the years since, Molina’s efforts expanded. She spearheaded the creation of Leah Arts District, an area dedicated to artists in Miami, and secured support from community leaders, including the councilman who helped zone the area. What started as a social media campaign had now become a full-blown event, culminating in the first block party, which would go on to be the hallmark of the celebration.

In 2020, the partnership with Pitbull, Miami’s most iconic performer, solidified 305 Day as a cultural phenomenon. Pitbull’s involvement gave the event even greater visibility, further cementing its role in the community.

Today, 305 Day serves as a platform not only to celebrate Miami’s culture but also to support local businesses. “The 305 Day event now features small business vendors who we showcase. I love working with small businesses and really helping these dreamers get to the next level because so many businesses that I work with are so amazing,” Molina said.

The Future of 305 Day

Through 305 Day, Molina has been able to amplify the voices of local small businesses. Though it was tough at first, she continued, which is an inspiration in itself.

“Not everyone will get what you’re doing, but just keep going,” Molina shared as our conversation came to a close.

Now, each year, the event grows larger, showcasing more talent, creativity, and community spirit. And as the celebration continues to evolve, it’s clear that its impact will only deepen.

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