In a powerful address to the State Legislature on Tuesday, Brooklyn Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn proudly delivered a speech on the passage of her resolution establishing May 2025 as Haitian Heritage Month in New York State.
Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants and chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, told Caribbean Life that the resolution expands “the enduring celebration of Haitian Flag Day (Sunday, May 18) into a month-long recognition of Haiti’s enduring cultural legacy and contributions to global freedom, democracy, and innovation.”
In a stirring speech on the Assembly floor, Bichotte Hermelyn, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, emphasized Haiti’s pivotal role in shaping world history and current influence.
“Haitian Heritage Month is not just about honoring a culture — it’s about celebrating a history that helped change the world,” said the first Haitian-American woman elected to office in New York City.
“Haiti became the first free Black republic in the Western Hemisphere in 1803, and, over 220 years later, it fuels the fight for independence across the globe, including here in the United States,” she added.
“Haitian Americans are trailblazers,” continued Bichotte Hermelyn, citing pioneers like Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the founder of Chicago, and revolutionary heroines Marie-Jeanne Lamartinière and Catherine Flon, who helped forge the Haitian republic and flag.
“From fighting in the American Revolution to shaping US democracy and culture, Haiti’s impact cannot be overstated,” she stressed.
In modern times, Bichotte Hermelyn said Haitians are “many of the greatest in vital fields” — ranging from arts and music to politics and public service – including artist Jean Michael Basquiat, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and renowned artist Wyclef Jean.
Bichotte Hermelyn also honored “everyday hero Haitian-Americans (who) enrich our society,” stating that Haitians create the most significant number of Black doctors and health care workers, “an outsized portion of our engineers, lawyers, educators.”
She said Little Haiti in Brooklyn, which she represents, “boasts the highest concentration of Haitian-owned businesses in New York, adding that Haitian Creole is now one of New York City’s top 10 most spoken languages.
While the month celebrates triumphs, Bichotte Hermelyn, an outspoken advocate for immigrants’ rights, addressed Haiti’s current humanitarian crisis, citing the resignation of Haiti’s Prime Minister amid escalating gang violence and widespread insecurity that has left the French-speaking Caribbean nation in a state of emergency.
She called on the Trump administration to “expand and protect immigration relief, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and to provide direct, sustainable aid that supports Haitian-led solutions.
“During Haitian Heritage Month, we must reaffirm our united front in providing additional aid to Haiti, while urging the federal government to safely and humanely allow migrants to seek refuge,” the Assembly Member said.
But amid these challenges, Bichotte Hermelyn celebrated Haiti’s “unbreakable spirit.”
She noted that, despite turmoil, Haitian innovation continues to thrive.
“Haiti has never stopped rising,“ she said. “From the ashes of oppression, Haiti gave the world a model of justice. And even today, amid crisis, Haitian people rise with pride, resilience, and hope.”
In closing her remarks, Bichotte Hermelyn urged that Haitian Heritage Month be honored “not just with celebration, but with action, unity, and justice.
“Ayiti pap peri. Haiti will not perish,“ she said. “Let us celebrate the Haitian community for its past victories and its ongoing fight to create a better world for all.“
