In Chicago, a metropolis with deep historic ties to Haiti via its founder Jean Baptiste Level du Sable, a vibrant cultural renaissance is happening partially underneath the management of Cyndee Montes Newman. Because the Government Director of Daughters of Haiti, Newman has grow to be a strong advocate for Haitian heritage, serving to safe the town’s official recognition of Might as Haitian Heritage Month and organizing distinguished cultural celebrations that join generations to their roots.
A proud first-generation Haitian American, Newman channels her private expertise of navigating twin identities into creating areas that commemorate and protect Haitian tradition. By way of occasions just like the annual Moms and Daughters Luncheon and Haitian Flag Day celebrations, her group works to rework cultural visibility into neighborhood vitality.
On this unique interview, Newman discusses the importance of Haitian independence, upcoming cultural celebrations, and her imaginative and prescient for integrating Haitian heritage into Chicago’s cultural panorama.
What’s the historic significance of Haitian Independence Day? And the way does it resonate with the Haitian diaspora as we speak?
Haitian Independence Day, which is Jan. 1, marks the start of the primary Black freed Republic and the one profitable slavery revolt in historical past. For the Haitian diaspora, it’s a day of deep pleasure and remembrance. And it’s a time to honor our ancestors and the resilience that continues to outline us and our identification.
What does the flag symbolize for Haitians, and the way is that this day commemorated in Chicago?
The flag represents liberty, unity, and energy of a individuals who have fought very arduous for his or her freedom. In Chicago, it’s grow to be a strong cultural affirmation, like via music, via conventional meals and neighborhood occasions. I imply, your entire month of Might is full of wonderful occasions to show and to showcase our heritage.
We try to say our presence right here within the metropolis of Chicago, and Daughters of Haiti particularly has performed a task in main plenty of the efforts via these occasions which can be happening, significantly the Flag Day occasion. The flag itself stays the image of Haitian People right here, so we’re very pleased with it.
What may folks anticipate on the upcoming Haitian Flag Day celebration on the south aspect of Chicago?
So what they’re going to anticipate is music, meals, and cultural distributors. There’s going to be a youngsters zone. There’s going to be a flag elevating ceremony at 12:30 on that day that can honor not solely our ancestors, however freedom, liberty, and so on. It’s proper throughout the road from Lior’s cafe, which is an incredible Haitian restaurant, one among two right here within the metropolis of Chicago.
The occasion itself, the Flag Day Competition, is a collaboration between the coalition of Haitian American organizations right here within the Chicagoland space, in addition to our beneficiant co-host Lior’s cafe. And never solely a market of Haitian distributors, however there are some cultural performances. It’s actually a family-friendly occasion for the neighborhood.
How has the Haitian neighborhood in Chicago developed over time? What position has Daughters of Haiti performed in that progress?
To begin with, Chicago itself has grown from small and dispersed networks of Haitians far and wide to the place we at the moment are, at a degree the place we have now sort of a unified presence and a voice in coverage in addition to in cultural life and in training.
I consider the Daughters of Haiti has been influential in that evolution as a result of we’re main the efforts in constructing the coalition. We’re discovering methods to mentor ladies and to help and to host public occasions that promote our tradition, in addition to advocating for recognition. Like for Haitian Heritage Month, we’re targeted on shaping visibility into vitality.
Speak in regards to the upcoming Le Bal Bleu et Rougeevent?
That is our third annual Le Bal Bleu et Rouge. It’s a celebration of Haitian excellence. We honor one girl of the 12 months annually, who’s a neighborhood pillar that has carried out excellent work for Haitians within the diaspora in addition to in Haiti.
This 12 months we’re very excited to honor Miss Colette Ascar Jeffries, who has been a pillar of the neighborhood. She leads and is the chief director for Operation SOS — Save Our Souls — which has carried out wonderful work, not solely right here in Chicago, however particularly in Haiti, and in supporting training for Haitian youngsters.
The occasion itself is a chance to showcase the fantastic thing about Haitian folks. We welcome pals and allies in addition to the Haitian neighborhood. It’s our objective for it to be essentially the most wonderful occasion of the 12 months. We have now a pink carpet host that will likely be doing varied interviews on the pink carpet, speaking to the attractive ladies who’re dressed of their wonderful robes.
It’s a social occasion, but it surely additionally raises funds for one thing that’s pricey to Daughters of Haiti, which is Kay Manmito, which is a mom’s ready home in Mirabale, Haiti. And why that is necessary to us is as a result of supporting ladies and their new child infants is vital to the subsequent technology.
We companion with Companions in Well being, the Girls’s Alliance of Companions in Well being, to have the ability to present these moms kits which can be despatched out on to the hospital to Kay Manmito. So it’s not solely about this pretty celebration of excellence, but additionally about creating alternative and elevating funds to have the ability to help this well being and wellness initiative.
How do you envision the way forward for Haitian cultural occasions and recognition in Chicago?
Properly, we envision the place Haitian tradition is woven into the material of Chicago life, not solely throughout Might, however all 12 months spherical. I imply, we see extra festivals, extra youth programming and everlasting areas. I’m hoping for a ladies’s cultural middle as a part of our long-term imaginative and prescient, and Daughters of Haiti is dedicated to creating that future a actuality via strategic advocacy and thru daring celebration. There’s a future right here for us. We’re the founders of this glorious, great metropolis. That is essentially the most stunning metropolis on the earth, I consider, and it was based by a Haitian man.
The Haitian Flag Day Neighborhood pageant takes place on Saturday, Might 17, 2025, from midday to five p.m. at Covenant Religion Church of God within the parking zone, 10505 South Halsted in Chicago. The occasion options meals, music, distributors, a youngsters zone and a flag elevating ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For details about the le Balble et Rouge 2025 gala, go to rsvpify.com.
