Life of Hope celebrates Haitian Culture Day

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Big Apple Marching band performs during the parade Young child enjoying street festival.
Life of Hope/Dr. Christina “CP” Pardo

Brooklyn’s Life of Hope on Saturday celebrated Haitian Culture Day in honor of Haitian Heritage Month.

According to Deputy Director Dr. Christina “CP” Pardo, the group was “proud to host” to host the cultural program Ayiti Nou La Toujou (Haiti, We are Always here).

Young child enjoying street festival on Haitian Culture Day in Brooklyn on Saturday, May 14, 2022.Life of Hope/Dr. Christina “CP” Pardo

“It was a full day of fun and festive activities that started with a parade through Little Haiti, BK and ending with a street festival, which includes community resources, local vendors and artist showcase, featuring popular musicians,” she told Caribbean Life about the event in the East Flatbush/Flatbush sections of Brooklyn.

Dr. Pardo said several elected officials and dignitaries attended the celebration, paying “tribute to this important community.”

They included Commissioner Manuel Castro, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; New York Haitian Consul General, Jacques Lauture; US. Senator Chuck Schumer; Council Members Farah Louis, Rita Joseph and Mercedes Narcisse; and New York State Sen. Kevin Parker.

Sen. Chuck Schumer speaks at event with Fr. Juan Luxama (left, founder, LOH), Porez Luxama (second from left, Executive Director, LOH) and Dr. Christina Pardo (Deputy Director, LOH).

“Life of Hope is proud to host this annual event to celebrate, honor and uplift the Haitian community who have made invaluable contributions to New Yorkers and beyond,” Porez Luxama, executive director Life of Hope. “It is also an occasion in which we can expose our fellow New Yorkers to Haitian culture and history.

Some of the participants at the Haitian Culture Day event on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in Brooklyn. Life of Hope/Porez Luxama

“We use this event to bring vital information and resources to a community too often considered ‘hard to reach,’” he added. “Brooklyn’s Haitian community celebrates their culture and heritage. It was a full day of fun and festive activities. It was, indeed, a great venue to showcase it in our Little Haiti BK.