May Is Declared Haitian American Heritage Month In Chicago

Members of the Coalition of Haitian-American Organizations of the Chicagoland Area, with Mayor Brandon Johnson and city council members. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SHIRLEY DESCORBETH.
Members of the Coalition of Haitian-American Organizations of the Chicagoland Area, with Mayor Brandon Johnson and city council members. PHOTO PROVIDED BY SHIRLEY DESCORBETH.

 May Is Declared Haitian American Heritage Month In Chicago

By Tia Carol Jones

May is Haitian Heritage Month and each year on May 18th, Haitians celebrate the Haitian flag, which symbolizes their fight for freedom and independence. During the month of May, Haitian culture, history, food, heritage and the language is celebrated through a series of events. Locally, the Coalition of Haitian-American Organizations of the Chicagoland Area celebrated the creation of Haitian-American Heritage Month, with Mayor Brandon Johnson and City Council.

The Coalition of Haitian-American Organizations is comprised of Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti,the  Haitian American Lawyers Association of Illinois (HALA), National Haitian American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON), Haitian-American Professional Network (HAPN), Concerned Haitian Americans of Illinois (CHAI), DuSable Heritage Association, Operation SOS, Daughters of Haiti, Haitienne, Lisa Laude – Lift Your Life, Radio L’Union and Bourdeau Griffin Interiors and Architectural Supplies, Inc.

The mission of the Coalition is to build a community voice for advocacy and improve the quality of life for the Haitian- American community in Chicago and abroad. Its aims include enabling economic development opportunities for Haitian Americans in Chicago, providing cooperative assistance for underserved Haitian community members, creating awareness and recognition of the Haitian American community as a unified voice serving the Chicagoland area, and providing collaborative and unified service to Haiti, through various inter-organizational resources.

“I am proud to join civic and community leaders in recognizing the meaningful contributions of the Haitian-American community to Chicago’s history and culture,” said Cyndee Montes Newman, Executive Director of Daughters of Haiti. As a Co-Chair of the Coalition’s Next Gen Committee, this day would not be possible without the support of Alderman Desmon Yancy and his sincere interest in Haitian culture.  I am committed to commemorating and preserving all that Haitian-Americans have given to Chicago.”

Daniel Jean, Jr., President of the Haitian-American Professional Network, said the Coalition brings together groups who use their resources, influence and network for the goal of being more productive in their goal to advocate and improve the lives of Haitian Americans and Haitians living abroad. He said the resolution is something Haitians in Chicago have been trying to make happen for a while.

“Understanding the history that Haitians have here within Chicago, especially when we think about the fact that we’re coming up on the three-year anniversary of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Drive, it’s really important. It provides a positive step in the right direction of advancing the profile of the Haitian American community in many relevant areas,” Jean said. He added that the creation of  Haitian American Heritage Month in Chicago increases the awareness of the importance of Haitian people in the city and the vibrant community, which includes politics, education and culture.

Jean said the milestone with the resolution is important and is intertwined with the history of Chicago, as Founder of Chicago Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable was Haitian. He said all of Black Chicago should be celebrating as Haitians and Haitian Americans in the city make strides and continue to make strides.

Jean said it is inspiring to many Haitians and Haitian Americans in the city of Chicago who can see that the city supports their culture. He said it is a population that is very resilient and driven. He added that Haitian and Haitian Americans in Chicago have helped migrants from their community by providing necessary resources so they could be successful residents.

“We’re a community that really takes care of each other and we really understand that it is important to look out for each other. We’re stronger together when we work together,” Jean said. Jean acknowledged the Haitians who work in high level positions within the city and local government Chicago and others who are doing amazing work.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.