Nancy Metayer Bowen, a 38-year-old rising star in Florida politics and the Vice Mayor of Coral Springs, died on April 1, 2026, leaving a community in mourning. Her passing, confirmed after police conducted a wellness check at her Coral Springs home, cut short a life defined by groundbreaking achievements and unwavering advocacy. A first-generation American, Ms. Bowen’s journey began with her parents’ migration to South Florida in the early 1980s, her father arriving by boat and her mother on a student visa. This foundational experience instilled in her a profound drive, which she carried to Coral Springs, where she moved in 1997.

Ms. Bowen pursued a rigorous academic path, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida A&M University. She furthered her education with a Master of Health Science from Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health CanvasRebel Magazine. Her professional life reflected her commitment to community well-being, as she worked as an environmental scientist, advocating for crucial environmental improvements and public health initiatives. She also dedicated her time to working with nonprofits in Haiti and served on the Broward Soil and Water Conservation District for approximately two years, beginning in June 2017.

Her political career was marked by a rapid ascent and a series of historic firsts. Ms. Bowen was elected to the Coral Springs Commission in 2020, becoming the first Black and Haitian American woman to hold the position Florida Politics. Her dedication to public service was recognized by her constituents, who re-elected her as a Coral Springs Commissioner in 2024, running unopposed. In November 2025, she was appointed to serve as Vice Mayor of Coral Springs. Nikki Fried, Florida Democratic Party Chair, remarked, "Nancy was not simply our Vice Chair of Haitian Outreach. She was a scientist. An environmentalist. A brilliant barrier-breaker who made history as the first Black and Haitian-American woman elected to the Coral Springs City Commission. Nancy was my friend and a friend to everyone who has ever believed that democracy was worth fighting for. The world is less bright without her in it."

Ms. Bowen’s influence extended beyond local governance. She served as the Florida Caribbean Vote Director for Kamala Harris's presidential campaign in 2024 and was named Vice Chair of Haitian American Voter Engagement for the Florida Democratic Party in March 2025. Her tireless efforts earned her numerous accolades, including recognition by the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce as one of their Top 20 under 40, the United Nations Clean Water Advocacy Award, and induction into the CLEO Institute Leadership Circle. She was also honored with the 2025 Home Rule Hero Award by the Florida League of Cities for supporting local decision-making. Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, praised her, stating, "Vice Mayor Metayer Bowen was a light in the Haitian community and a true champion for immigrants. Her advocacy was not performative, it was rooted in lived experience, empathy, and an unwavering belief in the dignity of all people. We have lost not only a partner in this work, but a dear friend. Her legacy will continue to inspire us to fight for justice, humanity, and the protection of immigrant communities everywhere."

State Rep. Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs, captured her essence, saying, "Nancy was someone who truly cared about people and about this community. Her commitment to public service and her belief in the future of our community were clear in everything she did. Anyone who spent even a few minutes with Nancy remembers her smile and enthusiasm for public service. She lit up a room and made you feel like you mattered." Her sudden passing left her colleagues and community reeling. Coral Springs City Manager Catherine Givens expressed the profound sorrow, noting, "She had such a good heart. She truly cared about people. To say today is a very dark day for us in Coral Springs is an understatement. There are no words that can truly capture the depth of this loss."

The City of Coral Springs described her impact as "immeasurable" and stated, "She was more than a public servant, she was a light in our community." Her family, in a released statement, affirmed that she was "not only a cherished member of our family, but also a dedicated public servant who committed her life to improving the lives of others." Nancy Metayer Bowen’s brief but impactful life demonstrated the power of dedication and the pursuit of justice. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations to break barriers, advocate for the vulnerable, and strive for a more equitable and just society, ensuring that the light she brought to her community will not be extinguished.