The Palm Beach County Haitian Heritage Month Celebration Planning Committee proudly announces the events that will take place in support of 2012 Heritage Month. The month-long series of activities will begin on May 1st with an Opening Ceremony and Reception at the Lantana Road Branch Library, 4020 Lantana Road at 6:00 PM featuring well-known artist Jean Michel Daudier. This initial event will be followed by a number of cultural and academic activities at various dates and locations.

Haitian Heritage Month commemoration recognizes the valuable contributions made by Haitians to the history of the World and Palm Beach County. It is a celebration of Haitian history and culture and an opportunity to share this culture with our communities. On May 18, 2012, Haitian flag-raising ceremonies will take place at Boynton Beach City Hall and Lake Worth City Hall.

“Our goal is to build up the self-esteem of all Haitians in our community and the whole world,” said Retired Major Joseph Bernadel, Co-founder of Toussaint L’Ouverture High School for Arts and Social Justice in Delray Beach, Florida.

Other Haitian Heritage Month highlights include several cultural and educational events at various Palm Beach County Library branches: a traditional student essay contest sponsored by Gaskov Clergé Foundation; a Haitian Heritage Book Festival, a Photo Exhibit featuring prominent Haitian figures in Palm Beach County, a brunch at the Transportation Department of the School District of Palm Beach County, a day-long cultural festival/Community Outreach in Belle Glade on May 26; and much more.  Visit http://www.palmbeachschools.org/pao/creole/MwaEritajAyisyen2012.asp for more details.

The School District of Palm Beach County partners with Palm Beach County Library System and Toussaint L’Ouverture High School for Arts and Social Justice to coordinate these events.

Haitian and Haitian American students represent the largest ethnic minority group from a single country in the School District of Palm Beach County with more than 14,000 students. According to community activists, Palm Beach County is home to more than 90,000 Haitians.

Admission to all Haitian Heritage Month events is free and open to the public. A calendar of activities is attached.

When: May 1 – 26, 2012

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Where: Palm Beach County Summit Branch Library

For more info click here.