Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Babylon) held her third annual Haitian Flag Day celebration with Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory and over 100 members of the local community on Thursday, May 25. The event featured live performances by Alan Cavé, Ester Dunclair, Jean Mathieu, Tatiana Myriam and New Birth Christian Church Choir, as well as Haitian food at Wyandanch Memorial High School.

“As a first-generation Haitian-American, I know how many obstacles the Haitian community has overcome in the face of adversity and how strong that has made us,” Jean-Pierre said. “I’m proud to celebrate our rich history and culture and bright future together.”

Haitian Flag Day is observed annually on May 18 to commemorate the day the first purely Haitian flag was adopted in 1803 in the town of Arcahaie.[1] While the flag has gone through several reincarnations, it has been restored to the original bicolor blue and red, with the coat of arms, since 1987.[2],[3] Now, Haitian Flag Day is widely celebrated – across Haiti and the United States – as a way to show national pride and recognize the contributions of Haitian men and women around the world.

Jean-Pierre partnered with Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory for this event. “Suffolk County is rich with cultural diversity; in fact, it is one of our strengths,” said Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory. “It is wonderful that events like this one give our residents a chance to celebrate their cultural heritage. I would like to congratulate all of this evening’s honorees and give a special thanks to everyone who came together to help celebrate the achievements and contributions of our Haitian community. ”

Another partner and vibrant community leader, Ketlie Chrispin joined last night’s festivities. “It was an honor to partner with Assemblywoman Jean-Pierre and Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory for the third annual Haitian Flag Day event,” said Ketlie Chrispin, President of Haitian Americans United for Change. “Celebrating Haitian culture is an important piece of our community.”

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