History will never forget the indelible impact the month of May has inscribed in the lives of Haitian. The month of May is a special month loaded with a lot of events/programs in celebration of Haitian Heritage. Among the events lined up for this month is The Brunch & Award Day. This is a community Award event dedicated to celebrate Haitian who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the music industry in Haiti and a ‘Salute’ to South Florida’s leaders in the Haitian Music Industry. This year’s Brunch & Award Day was celebrated on May 16, from 11 am to 2pm at Little Haiti Cultural Center located in Little Haiti (the City of Miami), with important personalities (in the music industry) in attendance.
The event was presented by Little Haiti Cultural Center and was graced with huge support of the City of Miami, particularly the office of the Commissioner of District 5. The event was held at the Center outdoor space. A place where well-decorated tables were set with a big Umbrella placed on each table to create a little shade for the guests, since the temperature was high that day, around 94 degrees.
While a DJ was on place to play some good mix and remix of music, a quartet was also present to make the scene lively by injecting and displaying their skills in musical entertainment.
In a great event like this, the need “to make people’s mouth dance” too must not be taken for granted. Popular among the foods that were served was the Haitian cuisine food and drink (Tropical Fruits, Haitian Patties, Herring with Cornmeal (Mais Moulu), Rhum Barbancourt, a reputation brand of Haiti which is well-known around the world.
The event was one of the major programs among others line up for the long-month celebration of the Haitian Heritage Cultural Month in Miami-Dade County. This year marks the 21st edition, since it was launched in 2001, when Alex Penelax was the mayor of Miami-Dade County.
By way of digression, important to also mention is the effect covid-19 had on this event in the year 2020. Some restrictions were placed which obviously does not really allow people to come together in the spirit of the celebration. This actually prevented the people from really enjoying some important activities as usual. But this year is quite different with a remarkable turning in the tide of things as people were seen wallowing in the aura of deep excitement to witness and enjoy this year’s event like never before.
Factually, this year’s Brunch & Award Day was a special Tribute/Recognition to a number of 11 personalities which include Merline Joseph, Brochner Louidor, Alexis ‘Ti Gana’ Noel among others whom according to the organizers, have contributed to the growth, development cum advancement of the Haitian Music Industry in South Florida region.
The event officially opened with a welcome remark by Haitian-American State Representative Dotie Joseph (District 108), who consciously reminded the audience about the importance of the gathering and later enjoined them never to take it for granted.
Haitian-American rapper MECCA aka GRIMO who raps in English and Kreyol for Wyclef’s Sak Pase Records label, emceed the event. During the sunny-day event, Jean Marie ‘Mapou’ Denis, who by virtue of his achievements/attainments in professional career is a librarian, owner of “Libreri Mapou’ located in Little Haiti, a Venerated arts advocate, author, and playwright, has received a special distinction (Lifetime achievement) from the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners. During her address, the first female mayor of the county, Daniella Levine Cava, has declared MAY 15 “MAPOU’S DAY” IN Miami-Dade County. Mapou has made an enormous contribution to the Haitian culture in South Florida, for more than 30 years.
In a speech of about 10 minutes, Denis thanked the newly elected mayor and organizers, particularly, the manager of the Little Haiti Cutltural Center, Sandy Dorsainvil, for the great recognition he has received. He also took a little time talking about his long time existing cultural organization “Sosyete Koukouy”, a dance group founded in 1985. This is a group created to ensure the continued vitality of Haitian traditional culture and the Kreyol language. One fascinating fact about Denis is his dedication of more than half a century advocating for Haitian traditional culture and the Haitian Kreyol language.
Several local elected officials who have a connection with the Haitian community attended the 4-hour event, including the City of North Miami’s City clerk, Vanessa Joseph, Esq., newly elected and First-Haitian-American Miami Shores Village Councilmember, Katia Saint Fleur. The recently appointed City of Miami Commissioner District 5 -Jeffrey Watson, was also there to direct the rest of the ceremony by handling the distinction award to each of the honorees.
LIST OF BENEFICIARIES OF THE AWARD AND THEIR PAST OR PRESENT ACHIEVEMENT(S)
Alix Timmer: Owner of Records Shop MAXISOUND MUSIC HALL- one of the first established Haitian Music Stores in Miami.
Djénane St-Fleur Gourgue: She is presently the President of Afro Caribbean Groove PR Inc. and also the Vice President of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce servicing Broward and Palm Beach counties. Mrs. St-Fleur serves as the Chairperson for Haiti with the Lauderhill Sister City, where she is also the vice-President since 2004. She is actively involved in the Diaspora in the promotion of Haitian culture, jazz music and arts.
Patrick Fabre: The CEO of Kyafa Sports and Entertainment, Manager of konpa bands dISIP de Gazmann Couleur and Gabel.
Rodney Noel: The Co-Founder of Haitian Compa Festival, and Noel & Cecibon Productions
Gerald Firmin aka Kaliko: The Manager at Hollywood Live club.
Merline Joseph: She is a well-engaged personality in the Haitian community, either on a political, social or entertainment level. Years ago she was one of the faces of the Haitian Music Awards playing a vital role in the annual event management hierarchy. Ms. Joseph also received a special recognition form the office of Miami-Dade District 2 Commissioner, Jean Monestime.
Laura Quinla: from Rhythm Foundation used to be the promoter of Big Night in Little Haiti event, a monthly series that takes place every third Friday, held at the Little Haiti Cultural Center that included great Haitian music, food, art and culture.
Other beneficiaries of the Award include: Alexis ‘Ti Gana’ Noel, popularly known for his great skills of delivering the flyers of the community events, as part of one of the best ingredients which guarantee the success of the cultural community events. Well-known DJ and radio host Fabrice Polynice aka ‘DJ PAZ’, and Brochner Louidor also received a plaque of recognition from City of Miami District 5 Commissioner Jeffrey Watson.
It is also important to note that during the event, Sandy Dorsainvil, the manager of the center, received several recognitions and gifts with joy and surprise from Miami-Dade Borad of County Commissioners (handed to her by Mayor Daniela Cava), the City of Miami/District 5 Commissioner Jeffrey Watson, and two local organizations, including the Haitian-American Nurses Association (HANA), and Haitian American Professionals Coalition (HAPC) for her community service. Obviously, her reactions towards these impromptu recognitions clearly showed that she didn’t expect this coming. She therefore appreciated them and everyone in recognition of the kind gesture.
Generally, this year’s Brunch & Award Day was a powerful, colourful and successful one even as the beneficiaries of the Award were so happy and couldn’t hide their sense of gratitude to the organizers. You also need to see how the performers were passionately engrossed in the tactical and stylized display of their musical skills. The attendants were not left behind in this display of happiness as their overall reactions showed that they also enjoyed the event and praised the beneficiaries of the Award for their great contribution to the advancement of the Haitian Music Industry in South Florida’s region.
LE FLORIDIEN
