On Sunday, October 9, the Association of Miramar Haitian-American Residents and Business Owners (MHARBO), in partnership with Macaya Foundation, hosted its first annual Haitian Community Resources Gathering at Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church Parish Hall. An unexpected downpour in Miramar that afternoon had a direct impact on attendance, which likely would have been larger if it was a normal, sunny Southern Florida day.
With its mission to enhance the representation of Haitians living and doing business in the city of Miramar through advocacy, community leadership, education, economic development and government relationship, the event was an opportunity for members of the new organization to hear from high ranking members of the government of the city of Miramar. Among the speakers were Mayor Wayne M. Messan and Vice-Mayor Yvette Colbourne.
Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis did arrive late (toward the end of the event), yet Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers was nowhere to be found. They were both part of the original speakers’ lineup. Marie Paule Woodson, Florida State Representative for District 101, and representatives of several local organizations, such as Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) and Broward Supervisor of Elections also addressed the gathering.
Veteran journalist Patrick Eliancy from Island TV emceed the event. Father Andrew from Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church gave the invocation.
During the introduction of the event, Ms. Farah Larrieux, Chair of the Executive Board, highlighted the goals of the association, which consists of representing the interests of the Haitian community within the city of Miramar, providing networking opportunities, strengthening the economy of the city and developing community leaders. The Chairwoman went on to introduce the ten founding members and talked a bit about some MHARBO realizations since its inception in 2019.
Addressing the guests, State Representative Marie Paule Woodson had a story to tell. “I came here to United States at the age of 21. I left because I did not have [the] connections needed to attend medical school in Haiti. Without speaking a word of English, I went to school and managed to set [my] sights on a career in public service in Miami-Dade County government for about 35 years.
“After retiring, I chose to enter into politics where I ran for the Florida State Representative District 105 Democratic primary in 2020, where I defeated two experienced politicians. I can tell you that I have been working hard on behalf of my district constituents who trusted me to send me to Tallahasse,” she explained.
The State Rep went on to explain how she secured more than 2.2 million dollars for her district – composed of parts of six cities – in the latest budget. Talking about her achievements during her first 2-year term, she took time to elaborate on a number of proposals signed into law either as her initial proposal or as part of a larger bill, such as Homestead Exemption for Seniors, HB597, Abatement of Taxes HB 71 amended into HB7071, and Homeless Youth HB1577. The last one is designed to help youth leaving foster care or experiencing homelessness get access to services and tools to alleviate some barriers and obstacles they face in their lives.
She was followed by the City of Miramar Mayor Wayne Messan who talked about a number of topics, including residents’ quality of life and economic development. Mayor Messan highlighted how diverse the city is in order to serve all its residents. He noted that the city makes sure there are no communication gaps. Knowing that there is a sizeable Haitian population now living in the city, Miramar has added more Haitian Creole speakers, particularly in the community service department. He also talked about the city’s economic development program department, and acknowledged its director who was in attenance, Claude Louissaint, a Haitian-American.
“MHARBO is very needed right now,” Mayor Messan said. “We need to know what you need in order to serve you as residents to our best capacity. When you communicate with us we can act, [and] that is my commitment to you. You will get what you demand. That is why I am encouraging you to reach out to my office. My assistant (Edna LaRoche), she is from Haiti.”
Vice-Mayor Yvette Colbourne then talked about new businesses coming to the city. “I am a parishioner at Saint Barthomew,” the Vice Mayor said. “You can reach my office at any time, and you will find someone ready to assist you.” She pointed out her assistant, former North Miami Marie Lucie Tondereau, who is Haitian-American. Mrs. Colbourne elaborated on several programs, she said, that are available to help residents of the city, such as a federal grant up to $25,000 per applicant to help residents and business owners who are behind on their mortgage and rent payments due to Covid. There’s also assistance available to those in need with their utility bills and rent payments. The Vice-Mayor implied that members of the audience should take advantage of these helpful resources by visiting her booth at the event.
A representative of Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) along with two high-ranking employees of the Broward Supervisor of Elections also addressed the audience to share pertinent information about Temporary Protected Status for Haitian beneficiaries and the voting process in Broward County for the upcoming November 8 election.
Making the closing remark, MHARBO Chairwoman Farah Larrieux, flanked by six other founding members, including Major Florinet Derac and Code Compliance Manager Duvard François, thanked the guest speakers for their participation at the event and the attendees who, despite the heavy rain, showed up.
MHARBO is a vital part of the city and support, especially for Haitian-Americans. Not only Haitian-Americans, though, but all Americans and immigrants who strive to make Miramar and the rest of South Florida a wonderful place to live, raise a family, and build a business. These events may seem small and not all that important, but if we likened them to our bodies, they would be like arteries that help drive blood and oxygen throughout our body, giving our organs nutrients and life.
It’s incumbent upon each of us to support an organization like MHARBO, become members, and show up for events like this, because when our political leaders see us showing up in ever-increasing numbers, it tells them to pay attention, to not ignore such a great cause. Let’s unite as a community to support MHARBO and the work it’s doing on our behalf and show our support, rain or shine, downpours or sunny days, because they support us.
Dessalines Ferdinand