Haitian Ambassador to Washington DC, Paul Altidor announces that Haiti Week in DC 2017 will be held in the US capital May 13-21, in partnership with Busboys and Poets. In the coming days, we will publish the detailed program of all the events of this cultural event that we invite you to share an overview :

Summary of Programming :

- A celebration of Haitian culture at Busboys and Poets featuring an acoustic performance by internationally acclaimed singer, Emeline Michel. She is known for fusing pop, jazz, blues, and traditional Haitian rhythms into deeply moving, joyful music delivered in a charismatic live show.

- For the history lovers, Smithsonian Museum Curator Dr. Joanne Hyppolite will provide a guided tour through the halls of the National Museum of African American History and Culture pointing out the contributions of Haiti and Haitian people on display.

- A panel conversation featuring DC Attorney General Karl Racine, Patrick Gaspard, former US Ambassador to South Africa and former Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Marie St Fleur, the first Haitian-American elected to a State Legislature. Yamiche Alcindor of the New York Times will moderate this conversation of prominent figures of Haitian origin, who will discuss current events and an array of other relevant topics.

- On Thursday, May 18, Haitian Flag Day, the Embassy will host a reception and an open house at its renovated Chancery.

- Professor Marcia Chatelain of Georgetown University will lead a conversation celebrating the journey and contributions of Haitian-Americans throughout US history.

- On Sunday May 21, 2017, we will close out Haiti Week in DC by unveiling our latest initiative to the public called the Pop-Up Shop at the Embassy. This initiative consists of turning the Embassy, for one day, into an elegant mini market where quality products sourced from Haiti and/or created by Haitian entrepreneurs will be displayed and available for purchase. The gift that Haiti really needs, in order to achieve long-term sustainable development, is not charity or the creation of more NGOs, but rather the support of initiatives that will enable the economy to grow so the Haitian people can prosper and thrive. The Pop-Up Shop at the Embassy is intended to be a platform for highlighting Haitian products and entrepreneurs who are the true catalysts for revitalizing Haiti’s economy.

Of course, our Haiti Week in DC would not be complete without Haitian food. Elle Philippe, a featured chef in the Embassy’s popular cooking class series, will curate a special Haitian menu that will be available at all Busboys and Poets restaurants.

HL/ HaitiLibre