By Dessalines Ferdinand
NORTH MIAMI, Fla. — Former City Councilman Jacques Despinosse stood among elected officials and community leaders on Thursday, Sept. 24, as North Miami dedicated portions of 131st Street in his honor. The ceremony recognized a man whose work to bring Haitian Americans into civic life began years before he held public office.
North Miami Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Marleine Bastien led the street dedication ceremony. The city’s other three council members—Vice Mayor Kassandra Timothe and Councilmen Pierre Frantz Charles and Kevin A. Burns—also attended, along with elected City Clerk Vanessa Joseph and former Florida state Sen. Daphne Campbell. Mayor Alix Desulme was the only member of the mayor and council absent from the public event.
The honorary name, “Councilman Jacques Despinosse Street,” applies to Northeast 131st Street from Northeast 2nd Avenue to North Miami Avenue and Northwest 131st Street from North Miami Avenue to Northwest 13th Avenue. Miami-Dade County approved the section between North Miami Avenue and Northwest 2nd Avenue, linking the portions designated by the city. The existing numbered street name remains in place.
Despinosse was born in Haiti and moved to New York City in 1968. After relocating with his family to Miami in 1977, he became active in efforts to give Haitian Americans a stronger political voice. He founded the Haitian American Democratic Club of Greater Miami in 1985 and encouraged immigrants to become U.S. citizens, register to vote and participate in decisions affecting their communities. He went on to serve as a delegate to six Democratic National Conventions.
North Miami voters elected Despinosse to the City Council in 2001. He was reelected unopposed in 2005 and represented District 3 until 2009. He later ran for mayor twice, in 2009 and 2011, losing both races to André Pierre. In 2013, he sought to return to the council but lost the District 3 race to Philippe Bien-Aime, who later became mayor. Despinosse continued his community advocacy after leaving office, including through his radio program, Radio Citizen.
Desulme’s absence was notable given the public disagreement over how North Miami should honor Despinosse. In June 2025, the mayor called him a “living icon” and said he opposed the street-only plan because he favored naming Breezeswept Park after the former councilman, in keeping with the family’s expressed preference. Councilwoman Mary Estimé-Irvin, whose District 3 includes the park, proposed naming it after Commissioner Marleine Bastien instead, then withdrew that proposal. The council subsequently rescinded its earlier decision to name the park for Despinosse. Desulme’s previous statement does not explain why he missed Thursday’s ceremony; his reason for not attending has not been established.
The sign itself has prompted another question about the scale of the tribute. “Councilman Jacques Despinosse Street” shares a post with a separate designation honoring Richard and Cherry Cook—three people recognized at one location. Meanwhile, North Miami has community centers named for former Mayor Joe Celestin on the city’s west side and former Councilman Scott Galvin on the east side. To those who see Despinosse as a pioneer whose advocacy helped open the way for later Haitian American elected officials, the comparison is difficult to ignore: Did the city give him an honor equal to his contribution?
For Despinosse, the dedication recognizes decades of public service. But a tribute meant to be seen raises a question: Why was the sign unveiled near the quieter Northeast 2nd Avenue end of 131st Street rather than at its busier intersection with North Miami Avenue? The honorary designation reaches that intersection, and Miami-Dade County approved the adjoining stretch of Northwest 131st Street between North Miami Avenue and Northwest 2nd Avenue. Traffic-sign rules may affect where a sign can safely go, but no explanation for this choice has been made public. Until there is one, community members are entitled to ask whether the tribute has been given the visibility Despinosse’s service deserves.
