Bowl for Education

      
Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month goes much farther than waving the Blue and Red flag, eating tassot and partying at Compas Fest. Haitians and Haitian Americans everywhere do their parts to share their favorite aspects of Haitian culture and history with the rest of the world. But the question that comes to mind is, what about Haiti? How does Haiti benefit from HHM?





Well this year a good friend of mine, Mrs Wanda wanted to do her part in helping Haiti directly. Partnered along with other Haitian Americans, not to mention a Haitian American themed radio show aka The Morning Drive on WSRF 1580AM (shameless plug), Mrs Wanda and the L'union Suite kicked off the 1st Annual Strike for Education Charity Bowl. A bowling tournament featuring some of today's most popular Haitian American entrepreneurs, personalities and artists whose proceeds go to benefit Fleur De Vie: Flower Of Life. 

Vote for RHONEL for Mr May 18th

The month of May and Haitian Heritage Month have finally come around again!!! A full month dedicated to uplifting Haitian culture to the fullest! Haitian food, music, art, history, language and much more put on display for the rest of the world to appreciate!!! Red and Blue flags will be draped everywhere, kompa music will be blaring and shouts of "Sak Pase, Nap Boule" will ring in the streets!!!!




A few major events happening in Miami to commemorate this month are the 2nd Annual Haitian Parents Be Like Comedy Show, the 4th Annual Taste of Haiti and the 17th Annual Haitian Compas Festival. Comedians, chefs and musicians will be traveling from places such as New York, Haiti and parts of Europe to share their talents with the people of Miami. Just the same, people will be flocking from all over the globe to take part in the festivities in Miami. (We do have the largest population of the Haitian diaspora in the U.S.A.)

Ayiti Cheri

Ayiti Cheri is a poem I wrote in February of 2010 after the devastating 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. Still in shock and hurting for all the lives lost and damage wrought, I wrote this poem to try and express how I felt. Hope you all enjoy.

7.0

January 12, 2015 marked five years since Haiti was ravaged by a 7.0 earthquake. On January 10, 2010 I had just walked into work at about 5pm. Instead of the hugs and high fives I was accustomed to, I was greeted by the sobs of my co-worker Marie. With her face tear stained and eyes blood shot red, the only words she could muster in response to my queries were Ayiti krazay. A quick visit to my Facebook newsfeed coupled with texts from family members caught me up on what was happening around me. Ayiti, in fact had krazay-ed (a little Crenglish for you). 

November 18, 1803 The Battle of Vertieres

November 18, 1803, a momentous day in Haitian history. It was the day the final battle was fought by the Haitian army, composed of rebels and former slaves, against the French Army led by Napoleon Bonaparte. On this day, this battle forever known as the Battle of Vertieres (La Bataille de Vertieres) the Haitians defeated the French Army and effectively repelled their one time masters. 

Today, November 18, 2014, 211 years after the battle was fought and won, this date is celebrated as a National Holiday in Haiti. Formerly known as the Day of the Army, Haiti celebrates the memory of this great battle with parades, parties and days off from school and work. Credited with being the final blow against the French and winning Haiti's independence, the Battle of Vertieres is a day of pride for all Haitian nationals and members of the Haitian diaspora. From this battle many men were immortalized as heroes but none greater than General Francois Capois aka Capois-la-mort. 

FLAGS UP!!!!!!!!

Just a month away from May 18th and I am already brimming with excitement!!! I just can't wait!! Red and Blue everywhere, kompas blaring in the streets, fritay (Haitian version of a fish fry) in abundance...wait, don't tell me you don't know what is happening on May 18th?!? Umway, pitit chita kite m' di ou itswa a (OMG, child have a seat and let me tell you the story).

All over the world the Haitian diaspora celebrate May 18th as Haitian Flag Day. On the same day in the year 1803, Catherine Flon, at the request of Haitian Revolutionary leaders Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Alexandre Petion, sewed together the vertical red and blue bands torn from the French flag to create the first flag to represent the Independent nation of Haiti.

10 little known facts about the Haitian Flag

Since the first flag's inception in 1803, Haiti's banner has undergone much evolution up until its current form was adopted in 1986. The development of the flag is intertwined with Haiti's history of rulers and government officials. Through each reincarnation of the flag a different aspect of today's version was added in. Below you'll find a link to a timeline of Haiti's past flags.

Haiti's flags through the years...

The 2014 A La Mode Beauty Fashion and Comedy Show

This past Saturday evening, March 29, 2014, I was fortunate enough to attend the Second Annual A La Mode Beauty Fashion and Comedy Show presented by CarnaFam and it was quite the gathering. Food, drinks, live music, stand up comedy and of course models sporting apparel from some of Haiti's finest designers. Yeah, there are fashion designers straight from Haiti, I had no idea! A few names present were Bijou Lakay, Kaltural, Murielle Creations and David Andre Collections. But lets start from the beginning.

Yours truly and the event's organizers
Djenane (left) and Tanisha (right)

What is CarnaFam? "It is a production company that makes the connection between the different genres such as arts, books, fashion, gastronomy, music, and photography. CarnaFam, a Haitian cultural organization in South Florida, is inviting the South Florida community to journey through Haiti". Through the efforts of President Tanisha Ade and Vice-President Djenane St Fleur, CarnaFam puts on events to promote Haitian culture, literature and social interaction. Alongside some of the community's favorite artists, authors, designers and leaders, CarnaFam looks to impact South Florida by highlighting the best Haiti has to offer.