Haitian Heritage Celebration & Unveiling of the Haitian Cultural Collection! Lantana Road Branch
Sat, May 13, 2:00 pm
Beloved Haitian author Jessica Fièvre will discuss her experiences as a writer. Enjoy a festive afternoon with dance performances by Dayana Dolne and more. Event offered in English and Creole. (90 min.) Preregister.

Haitian Heritage Month Film Lantana Road Branch
Thu, May 18, 2:00 pm
"Deported." ©Third World Newsreel. (72 min.) Follow the plight of Haitian criminal deportees from North America. Shown with permission. Not rated. Preregister.

Haitian Heritage Month Film Lantana Road Branch
Thu, May 18, 6:00 pm
"Deported." ©Third World Newsreel. (72 min.) Follow the plight of Haitian criminal deportees from North America. Shown with permission. Not rated. Preregister.

Celebrate Haitian Heritage Book Festival Main Library
Sat, May 20, 2:00 pm
Meet the winners of the School District of PBC Haitian Heritage Month essay contest. Join host, Bito David for a celebration of Haitian authors and literature. Featured authors include: Regine Coicou Stewart, Diane Allerdyce, Dovilas Anderson, Margaret Papillon, and others. Program offered in English and Creole. (2 hr.) Preregister.

Haitian Canvas Painting Lantana Road Branch
Thu, May 25, 5:00 pm
Paint a scene reminiscent of the beauty of Hispaniola to celebrate the rich culture of Haiti. Limit 24. (2 hr.) Preregister.

Coloring Club: Haitian Heritage Month Edition Lantana Road Branch
Fri, May 26, 2:00 pm
Coloring is not just for children! This fun activity fosters creativity and has stress-relieving benefits. (90 min.) Preregister.

Haitian, Am I: An Exhibition of Arts Lantana Road Branch
Sat, May 27, 12:00 pm
Exhibit Treal celebrates Haitian Heritage with the arts of the newest generation of Haitian artists. (4 hr.) Preregister.

Haitian Heritage Month: Book Discussion Lantana Road Branch
Tue, May 30, 2:00 pm
"The Farming of Bones," by Edwidge Danticat. Copies are available at the research services desk. (60 min.) Preregister.

Children's Classes & Events
Haitian Heritage Month: Interactive StorytellingBelle Glade Branch
Wed, May 17, 10:30 am
The Louines Louinis Haitian Dance Theater, Inc. presents "Dance-A-Story," a performance of traditional Haitian tales with audience participation, drums, dance and rhymes. All ages. (45 min.) Preregister.

Tales & Riddles From HaitiBelle Glade Branch
Sat, May 20, 1:30 pm
Telling stories around the fire is an important part of Haitian culture. Join us for a series of oral Haitian wisdom, proverbs, jokes, riddles and stories. All ages. (45 min.) Preregister.

Haitian Craft! Lantana Road Branch
Sat, May 20, 3:30 pm
Create a colorful Haitian Drapo sequin flag. Ages 5 & up. (60 min.) Preregister.

Teen Classes & Events
Haitian Heritage Month: Teen Book Discussion Belle Glade Branch
Tue, May 16, 10:30 am
“Untwine,” by Edwidge Danticat. Guest speaker: Lana St. Hilaire from the School District of PBC Multicultural Department. Copies are available at the children's desk. Grades 6 & up. (60 min.) Preregister.

​Haitian Heritage Month: Teen Book Discussion Belle Glade Branch
Tue, May 16, 4:00 pm
“Untwine,” by Edwidge Danticat. Guest speaker: Lana St. Hilaire from the School District of PBC Multicultural Department. Copies are available at the children's desk. Grades 6 & up. (60 min.) Preregister.

​Library website for more info and pre-registration.

Join us for the 3rd Annual cultural and food event Taste of Haiti showcasing everything Haitian in the heart of North Miami! An entire afternoon filled with family friendly activities! Come enjoy great food, music, arts and crafts! 

Taste of Haiti website

A Networking Event for Job Creators in Haiti
Thursday, September 18 
The Hotel Montana in Pétion-Ville 
9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Who should attend:   

• Business owners in Haiti who want to grow their network, share their expertise, and learn from others
• NGO staff and churches whose organizations are actively creating jobs in Haiti
• NGO staff and individuals who want to learn more about job creation as an alternative to charity

Why you can't miss it:          

• You will be inspired by short presentations by successful job creators in Haiti
• You will connect  with others during  networking  time
• You will discover the benefits of membership in the 100,000 Jobs network
•  You will have an opportunity to join the 100,000 Jobs in Haiti Initiative

Cost:

• $50 US registration fee includes a coffee break and lunch

Click here to register online.  If you would like to present your work to the audience, you must register by September 10th.  This event will be in English with no translation.  Contact Michele Edwards for more information.

For the second year in a row, the Tyrone Bryant Library in Ft. Lauderdale, FL invited us to display Haitian photography and artifacts that we have collected. This year, we were asked to do an activity with children as part as our education for Haitian culture. Of course, we said yes! The event was story time with kids and a kite making workshop - Endy's favorite memory as a child in Haiti.

We weren't sure how the kids would react, especially since it's a pretty tedious craft. I was given a stack of books to choose from to read to the kids. As I went through them to choose one, they were either long and boring, full of "facts" or they were completely untrue and negative information about Haiti} earthquake, poverty, illness, etc}. This was not the cultural education that I wanted to share with the kids. So, I chose a book with nice pictures and ad-libbed it through story time, providing my own knowledge and asking the kids about their views of Haiti. 

I asked the kids to raise their hands if they are Haitian. About 10 did, but I couldn't help but notice a teenager smiling without raising her hand. I knew she was Haitian. She didn't want to admit it, though, which of course I called her out on and told her she should be PROUD. She was shy, pretending she wasn't Haitian. When we started the kites, she sped ahead of everyone and was almost done with hers by the time we were all on step 2. She started to help the other little kids. 

A few of the little kids knew a lot about Haiti. They said Haitians are creative, there are snakes there, there's sand there, they eat griot and rice and they use goude for money. This all made us very happy, but I am so glad we did this activity with our local community because it just motivates me more to write my own book so we can share it with those who know little or nothing. 

I am putting it out there again, so I am held accountable, to provide a book for kids that they will feel proud to be Haitian at the end of it. Or, they will know about the real CULTURE in Haiti, not the one the news tells us about {voodoo, stealing, violence}. 

Thank you so much for donating to the Art Creation Foundation for Children fundraiser that we hosted on May 4. The event was a blast and we raised $994 thanks to you. We have sent off the money to ACFFC! If you have a moment, please check their website if you haven't already: http://www.acffcjacmelhaiti.com.

MESI ANPIL!!!

It was a pleasure for us to meet all of the people who stopped by our tent at Taste of Haiti! Endy and I are grateful for your support! 

We were selling jewelry at the event this year, but we are most grateful for the interaction with you all! The Real Haiti is about empowering each other, not competing or getting rich. Knowing that we are responsible for reigniting your fire for your love for Haiti is the most rewarding part.

Thank you everyone for your support and love. We continue this empire to keep inspiring you! …and our hopes and dreams for Haiti! 

Mesi anpil! 
With love,
Diana & Endy

We shared a table with Ginen Creations by Sophie pictured below. Special thanks to our sister in law Martine for her help! 

I was invited as an honoree to attend the 2nd Annual Women International Month awards ceremony honoring women in the media for a "Beacon of Hope and Achievement Award," March 27, 2014.

Here's the video...enjoy :)