Local News

Miami Institutions Commemorate Haitian Flag Day

MDC’s North Campus and Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center to Commemorate Haitian Flag Day

MIAMI-DADEMiami Dade College’s (MDC) North Campus and the Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center (MEEC) will commemorate Haitian Flag Day with two ceremonies May 18 and 19. 

This year’s theme, Fostering Excellence in the South Florida Haitian and Caribbean Community, highlights the importance of cultivating a culture of excellence in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

 

“MDC proudly acknowledges the legacies and contributions so many Haitian Americans have made to our community,” said Dr. Malou C. Harrison, North Campus’ president. “As we commemorate Haitian Flag Day, we hail the people of the Republic of Haiti and the diaspora for the global reach of their contributions.”

Haiti Flag

The commemoration at North Campus will include the Haitian Ibo Student Organization’s recognition of State Representative Daphne Campbell and a keynote address by musician, poet, and actor, “Mecca aka Grimo.” Mecca is a first generation Haitian, who was born in Brooklyn, NY then moved to Miami, in the latter part of his teenage years. 

 

Mecca’s love for music in conjunction with his love for his heritage has helped him transform his art into a vehicle of hope and pride in the Caribbean community and abroad. His drive is to educate utilizing entertainment as a platform. He tours with his non-profit organization, FePouLi, in a workshop called “A TASTE of HAITI”.

This presentation is exhibited in schools to educate other nationalities and Haitians alike on how rich the Haitian culture is and its contributions to the world. Mecca also lectures on the history of Haiti at libraries to promote literacy through a poetry workshop. He is also a mentor and big brother in the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project started by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.

Highlights of the event at MEEC will include a keynote address by Dr. Marie Etienne. She joined MDC’s renowned Benjamin Leon School of Nursing more than ten years ago, inspiring students and serving as a role model in the community and beyond. When a devastating earthquake struck her hometown of Port-au-Prince in 2010, Dr. Etienne was one of the responders who aided survivors as part of the Haitian American Nurses Association of Florida, Inc. (HANA), where she has served as president, board member and as chair of Public Relations Committee since 2001.

Since 2006, Dr. Etienne has led groups of MDC students on medical missions to the Dominican Republic in partnership with the Haitian American Professionals Coalition (HAPC), where she is an executive board member, and provided health screenings to uninsured, low-income immigrant communities in South Florida.

MDC’ students, faculty, staff, administrators, local high school students, and members of the community will join the celebration. Both events are free and open to the public.

Haitian Flag Day Commemoration

Wednesday, May 18, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (North Campus)

Thursday, May 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  (MEEC)

 MDC’s North Campus, Lehman Theatre, bldg. 5, 11380 N.W. 27th Ave.

 MEEC, 6300 NW 7th Ave.  

ADVERTISEMENT

JNMT-Send-Funds-300x250

South Florida Caribbean News

The SFLCN.com Team provides news and information for the Caribbean-American community in South Florida and beyond.

Related Articles

Back to top button