North Miami Beach, FL (Le Floridien) – The 2025 edition of Haitian Heritage Month, marking the 25th anniversary of this vibrant cultural celebration in South Florida, will officially launch on Wednesday, April 30, with an opening reception at the historic Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach. As tradition continues, the event is being sponsored primarily by the Office of Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 2, Commissioner Marleine Bastien.
This year’s theme, “Reclaiming Tomorrow: Sowing Seeds of Change,” reflects a forward-thinking vision for the Haitian-American community, grounded in resilience, empowerment, and cultural pride. According to a press release from Commissioner Bastien’s office, the reception will begin with a cocktail hour at 7:00 p.m., followed by a formal program starting at 8:30 p.m.
Commissioner Bastien, who is spearheading this year’s edition, will be joined by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in hosting the ceremony. The event, as described, is intended to honor the history, creativity, and continuing contributions of the Haitian community in South Florida and beyond.
A More Thoughtful Venue Choice
This year’s choice of venue—the Ancient Spanish Monastery—marks a notable shift from last year’s opening celebration, which was held at the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami. While Vizcaya is a picturesque and prestigious site, many attendees noted in 2024 that its location felt distant from the heart of the Haitian community, which is most concentrated in areas like North Miami, North Miami Beach, and Little Haiti.
The Ancient Spanish Monastery, located on West Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach, is a welcome change. Not only is the venue closer and more accessible to the community, but its historic ambiance also offers a symbolic backdrop for a celebration rooted in culture, memory, and transformation.
However, the very need to rely on such venues for major community gatherings once again highlights a lingering issue: the absence of a dedicated Haitian cultural or civic center in North Miami or North Miami Beach. Despite having Haitian-American elected officials in both cities, there appears to be a consistent lack of investment or initiative toward building an infrastructure that can host significant cultural events. The reliance on rented spaces, no matter how historic or elegant, continues to underscore this gap in community planning and vision.
HACCOF Steps Aside
Another key change in this 25th edition is the absence of the Haitian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida (HACCOF) from the leadership of the event. HACCOF had been the primary organizing entity for the Haitian Heritage Month opening in recent years. This year, however, the Commissioner’s Office has taken full charge of the grand opening, signaling a possible new direction for how Haitian Heritage Month will be managed and presented moving forward.
While it remains to be seen how the absence of HACCOF will affect programming and logistics, the Commissioner’s hands-on leadership may bring a renewed civic energy to the celebration, particularly given Bastien’s deep roots in Haitian-American advocacy.
Looking Ahead
As Haitian Heritage Month prepares to celebrate its 25th year, this milestone serves not only as a celebration of past achievements but also as a call to action—particularly in light of this year’s theme. “Sowing Seeds of Change” invites both the Haitian diaspora and their allies to reflect on how to invest in lasting legacies, create sustainable spaces, and cultivate new leaders who will carry the culture forward.
In that spirit, the opening reception is more than a ceremonial event; it is a moment of collective reflection and affirmation. It signals that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure that Haitian heritage is not only celebrated each May but preserved and supported all year long.
RSVP for the opening reception is required by Thursday, April 24. For more information, community members are encouraged to contact the Office of Commissioner Marleine Bastien.
