MAY is nationally recognized as Haitian Heritage Month, which is an opportunity for admirers of the world’s first black-led republic and the first independent Caribbean state to celebrate the rich culture, distinctive art, delicious food, and rich traditions of the country and its people.
If it is well-documented that the first celebration was held in Boston in 1998 (Tele Kreyol, one of the Boston Haitian Access Television programs celebrated the whole month of May with a series of programs on Haitian history, culture, and contributions to the world). However, since 2001 when former Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas (assisted by one of his staff members, Emmeline Alexis) through resolution R-452-01, declared MAY the month of Haitian-American Heritage around the most populated Florida’s country, the celebration has been made more visible and impactful in the South Florida region where the largest proportion of Haitians in the United States lives.
Year after year, the tremendous contributions of the Haitian community in South Florida become more valuable for many local governments. Later, many cities in the tri-county area (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) embarked on a traditional long-month celebration with the primary goal of highlighting the richness of Haitian heritage as a whole: music, dance, gastronomy, poetry, exhibitions, visual art, literature, crafts, and more.
City of Miramar salutes the contribution of its Haitian Community
On May 6, 2015, Mayor Wayne Messam, the son of a Jamaican immigrant couple, 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 (except last year due to the pandemic COVID-19), the leaders of this great city haven’t missed an opportunity to show their love and respect to South Florida’s entire Haitian community every May, particularly those members who live in this southern Broward County city.
This year, Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis, as the main host, joined forces with other city officials to keep the Haitian tradition and culture alive in the city by organizing an outdoor Haitian Cultural Celebration event at Shirley Branca Park Banshell (located on the east side of the city) on the evening of Saturday, May 22nd. The event took place from 6 to 10pm. This was the fifth year the city officially celebrated Haitian Heritage Month. Haitian-American rapper MECCA, aka GRIMO, emceed the event.
If the majority of the crowd lives in Miramar, we need to mention that Haitians living in the surrounding cities also came out to enjoy this special celebration. Participants had the opportunity to enjoy splendid food (some of the best Haitian and Caribbean cuisine), and also dance to the music of a great DJ. They enjoyed the live performance of headliner konpa band Harmonik. Local rap group ‘WE DEM ZOES’ lead by MECCA, solo singer Sheila Be (executed both American and Haitian anthems), female dancer Manou Kadance, and Patrick Dorce & The Rara Roots Rock Band rocked the stage as well.
The host of the event, Alexandra P. Davis, addressed the crowd on several occasions, sharing her love and appreciation for Haiti and all that Haitian-Americans contribute to society, mainly in Miramar.
“In Miramar, we are a diverse community,” said Commissioner Davis before introducing her colleagues at the City Commission. “This is a city that embraces different cultures. It is a pleasure to be here to celebrate with you the Haitian culture, which is so rich in South Florida, in the United States of America.”
She also recognized two Haitian-American personalities, Maguy Prezeau, CEO of the Community Access Center, and associate Jackie Jncharles-Arnoux, whom the commissioner reminded the audience that they are the two who started, even though at a lower level, the celebration of the Haitian Heritage Month in Miramar in 2010, through their not-for profit organization.
Commissioner Davis also acknowledged the presence of some dignitaries in the crowd, including the former mayor of the City of North Miami, Andre Pierre, esq.
Commissioner Davis has a strong relationship within the Haitian community. She said she felt it is appropriate to celebrate Haitian culture in Miramar.
Except Commissioner Winston F. Barnes (who could not be there), all the other members of the City Commission took the podium to salute the crowd, primarily Haitians. In their short address, Mayor Wayne Messam, Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne, and Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers, emphasized the great contributions of people of Haitian descent in different aspects toward the advancement of South Florida’s multicultural society.
Haitian-American first-term Florida State Representative (District 101), MARIE PAULE WOODSON, took pleasure to address the crowd with some creole words. She was followed by Anthony Bonamy who was there to read a proclamation on this occasion – signed by the Broward County Commission members, which designated May, 2021 Haitian Heritage Month in Broward County and May 18, Haitian Flag Day – on behalf of Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness (who showed up later at the end of the event due to two other events he had to attend).
Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief briefly addressed the crowd. She told the attendees (whom she called her Haitian brothers and sisters) that it is an honor for her to represent the city of Miramar for the last 10 ½ years. She took the opportunity to tell the crowd that she is running for Florida’s 20th Congressional District seat in the upcoming special election (November 2nd) to replace Alcee Hastings, who served more than 28 years in Congress until his recent death in April at the age of 84.
Commissioner Davis concluded by saying, “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.”
After all the speakers that evening left the podium, Konpa band Harmonik hit the stage again to play its second set, bringing the crowd back to a dancing mood.
As the event was about to end, former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness got to the mic to address the crowd as they began to leave the park. Holness, who some nicknamed ‘Jam-Ayitian’ because of his tight connection to the Haitian Community, also announced that he is running for Congress to replace late congressman Hastings for Florida’s District-20 seat.
“Congressman Hastings’ memory was an inspiration to all who knew him,” Holness said. “I am humbled by the opportunity to follow in his shoes.”
Events like this help to highlight the incredible contributions Haitian-Americans make 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.
It is certainly a powerful reminder that Miramar is a diverse population.
Dessalines Ferdinand
LE FLORIDIEN