MIRAMAR (Le Floridien) – On May 6, 2015, the City of Miramar’s Mayor, Wayne Messam, introduced a resolution recognizing the tremendous contributions of the Haitian community over the past several decades. The product of that resolution was a unanimous consent proclaiming May to be ‘Haitian Heritage Month’ in Miramar. Ever since, the leaders of this great city haven’t missed an opportunity to show their love and respect to South Florida’s entire Haitian community each May.
This year again, Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis, as the main host, joined with other city officials and the head of the Community Access Center, to keep Haitian tradition and culture alive in the city, by organizing a Haitian Cultural Celebration event at the Miramar Cultural Center on the evening of May 2nd. The event took place from 6 to 10pm. This was the fourth year the city officially celebrated Haitian Heritage Month.
More than 250 guests were in attendance. They had the opportunity to enjoy an art gallery exhibition by local artists and a troubadour musical performance as hostesses passed out hors d’oeuvres, mainly some of the best Haitian cuisine aperitifs. Cocktails were also served during the two-hour VIP reception.
Maguy Prezeau, CEO of the Community Access Center, emceed the event. It was a time to celebrate Haitian culture, life, and the wonders of this incredible nation. “We have here such a diverse community,” she said in her opening remarks. “Miramar is a city that embraces different cultures. Today it gives us great pleasure to see that the City of Miramar is celebrating the Haitian culture. When you are away from home, you have heritage from Jamaica, Haiti, you have to get that home flavor wherever you are.”
Many dignitaries also addressed the crowd, sharing their love and appreciation for Haiti and all that Haitian-Americans contribute to society.
Surprisingly, Commissioner Maxwell Chambers hit the mic by saying ‘Comment ça va’ and ‘Sakpase’, just to make the audience feel more relax, and attempting to engage. It was a clear sign of respect by offering salutations in Haiti’s official languages (French and Creole).
“Thank you so much everyone for coming… to support,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to be here to support the Haitian Community. As you know, May is Haiti’s Celebration. It’s Haitian Flag Celebration. I would like to thank the Vice Mayor and Community Access Group who put together this event. I know it’s raining, but I am glad we have such strong support here with your presence. You come out in big numbers to participate at this festivity. It’s always good to support each other. As You know, I am from Jamaica. I have been a part of Haitian Culture since day one that I arrived here in South Florida. I have a great relationship with the Haitian Community, at different levels.
Broward County’s Commissioner Dale Holness (District 9) also addressed the audience. Making a short introduction in Creole, he said, ‘Bonswa tout moun’ (meaning good evening everybody), before switching to English. He garnered great applause from the crowd that was mainly composed of Haitians.
“It is good to be here with you this evening to celebrate the vibrant rich culture of Haiti,” he said before telling the audience he has made nine trips to Haiti, which is one of the reasons some of his good friends call him ‘Jamaitian’.
“On my nine trips to Haiti, I have been everywhere. I went to Jacmel, Port-Salut, Arcahaie, Okap, …almost everywhere. Haiti is a beautiful country; it is not only Cite Soleil. [And] the Haitian people have contributed greatly to this country,” the Jamaican-born Commissioner said.
Exposing his rich knowledge about Haitian history, Dolness reminded the audience of many facts about Haiti and the Haitian people’s history, such as the great contribution of Haitian soldiers at the Battle of Savannah in 1779, that the City of Chicago was founded by Haitian Jean-Baptist-Point Du Sable, and the Haitian army that defeated Napoleon Bonaparte’s colonial forces to become the first free Black Republic of the New World.
The Broward County Commissioner acknowledged the presence of a representative from the office of U.S. Representative for Florida’s 20th congressional district, Alcee Lamar Hastings. He concluded by saying that ‘you [Haitians] are to be proud.’ “Despite many setbacks on the island, Haiti gives the world freedom. Here in this country, Haitians play a vibrant and important role in building this nation….in education, business and politics. I know many of you don’t know this. Do you know there are three sitting judges in Broward County? One of them is with us tonight: Broward County Court Judge Phoebee Francois. She is going to an election next year, and I am asking all of you here who live in Broward County to go out to vote to make sure she is reelected.”
Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis was the last speaker at the VIP Reception. Mrs. Davis said she has a tight relationship with the Haitian community. She felt it is appropriate to celebrate Haitian culture.
She added, “Miramar is renowned as a multi-cultural oasis and it is only fitting that we join in this wonderful celebration of Haitian heritage. Our city’s diversity, and our acceptance and tolerance of our different beliefs, is part of what makes our city great.”
Thanking the audience who came out in big numbers despite the heavy rain, the host of this year’s Haitian Cultural Celebration event in Miramar also emphasized the great contributions of people of Haitian descent in different aspects toward the advancement of South Florida’s multicultural society.
“This kind of gathering helps bring Haitians in Miramar closer to the mainstream and civic life of the city where we’ve had a chance every year since 2015 to highlight the various cultural traditions of the Haitian community,” said Josette Chery, a longtime resident of Miramar who took part in the Thursday night event.
The Haitian population in Broward County has grown steadily since the 1980 U.S. Census, which reported that 1,849 people of Haitian descent lived in the county. The 2010 census reported more than 84,000 people with Haitian ancestry live in Broward.
According to worldpopulationreview.com 2017 report, Miramar has a population of 140,327 people. The demographics of the city have changed dramatically through the years, with 47% of the population today being Black and 7% of the total population made up of Haitian-Americans.
Miramar is home to one of the wealthiest Haitian communities in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, according to a study released in 2012 by the Brookings Institution, a public policy think tank in Washington, D.C. The study found that Haitians in Miramar had the highest median household income, with $43,138.
Eventslike this help to highlight the incredible contributions Haitian-Americans made to these communities. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this culture, these people, and the amazing future that stands before us thanks to their passion. Haiti and Haitian-Americans are part of the lifeblood that keeps South Florida’s heart beating strong. One event, one month may not be enough to truly honor the wonderful and rich heritage that is Haiti, but it’s a powerful reminder that we are all in this together and every single one of us plays an important part of keeping Florida a great place to live.