TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Alexis Givings, City Clerk
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: May 6, 2025
Title
OBSERVANCE OF HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION
Body
Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Proclaim the month of May as Haitian Heritage Month.
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Background:
Haitian Heritage Month is a celebration in the United States of Haitian heritage and culture. It was first celebrated in Boston Massachusetts, 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. The month-long celebration has continued with such activities as parades, flag raisings, and exhibits organized by Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.) in collaboration with several Haitian organizations in the New England area.
The Haitian community of Palm Beach County, FL which started the Heritage celebration in 2001, contributed greatly to make the Heritage Month first a statewide celebration, and then, a national one in the United States. South Florida congressman Kendrick Meek introduced unsuccessfully a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004 and 2006 to recognize the month of May as Haitian-American Heritage Month in the United States. President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush sent a letter in May 2005 to congratulate the Haitian-American community for the heritage month and organized a celebration the same year.