Haitian American Alliance of New York presents “Bamboche
Creole” highlighting Haitian Americans Achievement’s in the United States.
By
Tequila Minsky, Heritagekonpa Magazine
“Bamboche
Creole”, an award ceremony and cultural festivity sponsored by Haitian American
Alliance of New York, took place on Saturday, June 18, 2005. "Bamboche Creole
literally means having a good time. There is no one English word that can convey
its specific meaning; but Bamboche is a cultural festivity, sometimes refers to
as la joie de vivre, an informal hang out , vibrant, free-spirited, and colorful
celebration. It’s having fun!
The award ceremony was well attended by young and not-so-young Haitian-Americans
and members and supporters of the Haitian American Alliance (HAA), who came together
at the Haitian-ownded trendy Post Meridia ( bette know as club PM) Lounge located
in lower Manhattan, New York. The main objective of the event was to raise money
for the organization's scholarship fund, and to honor members of the Haitian community
that have distinguished themselves in the era of education and arts.
After
time of catching up with friends and family and fueled by hors d’oeuvres
of traditional Haitian food, the awards ceremony proceeded as scheduled . Chairperson
Tatiana Wah and Vice-Chair Yolette Williams provided welcomes and introductions.
Four
Brooklyn high school seniors were awarded $1000 scholarships on the basis of their
achievement and needs. The highly competitive selection process required the usual
academic records plus letters of recommendation—one for academics and one
for community service, a committee interview, and an essay, “What it means
to be a Haitian-American in New York City.” Edwine Etienne ,who will be going
to Hunter, Vanna Albert to Cornell, McKendy Cadet to Penn State, and Cynthia Jean-Baptiste
to Stony Brook, were the hard working and happy recipients.
Recipients
of Achievement Awards then followed.
Micheline
Cadet Duval, Assistant Principal and Liaison for the Special Needs students at
PS 22 in Queens, who holds two Masters degrees in M.S. in Bilingual Special Education
and Med in Supervision and Administration, received an award as a Distinguished
Educator for her outstanding work advocating for children.
In
addition to her work in Special Education and advocacy for the rights of diverse
communities, she has been involved with developing curriculum materials and promoting
the active participation of Haitian educators in the development and sharing of
linguistically and culturally relevant resources. Her dream is that integrity,
unity, struggles for justice, mutual respect can bring harmony and peace for all.
Rodney
Leon was honored as a Distinguished Architect/Designer for his outstanding work
and devotion to community and culture through architecture. Rodney has a Bachelor
and Masters in Architecture. While at Yale graduate school he focused his studies
on the impact of African culture throughout the Diaspora upon expressions in art,
music, film and architecture.
His
vast architecture work includes proposals for memorials for Martin Luther King,
Frederic Douglas, and the Freedom Crossing Memorial to commemorate the names of
the formerly enslaved people who escaped to freedom and the historic role New
York’s abolitionist movement played by establishing New York City as a major
hub in the Underground Railroad.
Most
recently, Rodney has won the commission to design the ‘Ancestral Libation’
Chamber of the African Burial Ground memorial in Manhattan for the spiritual and
ceremonial re-interment of deceased Africans. He also has been a visiting professor
at Pratt Institute of Architecture.
The
Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on Jean Claude Garoute (Tiga) for his
contributions to the advancement of Haitian art and culture. Tiga began to offer
through his art in 1964 a voice that often uttered the need for man to detach
himself from conventional methods that have been taught throughout his education
in order to remain a creator.
Tiga
believes that when the art spirit has penetrated a nation, its people are neither
ignorant nor illiterate. Tiga’s method of ‘Artistic Rotation’,
used with all sorts of peoples, uses instruments such as drums, color paint, clay,
rocks and other sensing elements of sight, touch and feel. Through his method,
he believes that one must have total freedom of _expression yet be in touch with
the various technical supports that simultaneously bring together human senses
and human concepts.
Tiga
has exhibited widely, received awards internationally and has founded and runs
the “Fondation,” an art and learning center in Haiti.
About
The Haitian American Alliance
The
Haitian American Alliance was established in 1995 as a private non-profit organization
with the mission to empower Haitian Americans in the U.S. through increased participation
in all areas of political, social, and economic endeavors, its activities began
by including networking for young professionals while addressing: How do we empower
our community and give back to it? Those involved with HAA are educators, doctors,
social workers, artists and a host of other professionals.
Civic
education and voter registration was a strong early component. HAA serves almost
as a bridge organization between the emigrant population and hurdles in the U.S.
Not having a political voice is a handicap and voting in the key. “For six
years I went to churches to help with voter registration, “ Vice-Chair Yolette
Williams recalled. And speaking for herself she continues, “When we become
strong here we’ll be in a better political position to help things in Haiti.”
In
the early years the organization also responded to crises within the community
and organized the rally supporting Abner Louima in 1994 and responded to the undercover
police shooting of Patrick Dorismond in 2000. Its mission was not set to be political
but as a group already organized it was able to quickly respond when the need
was there. Its programs, though focus on youth, community and education.
HAA
has a number of programs run out of its Flatbush office, 210 Linden Blvd. An after-school
learning center services 30 junior and senior high school students. A learning,
tutoring and recreation center runs during the summer. Regents and SAT preparatory
courses are offered. Adult ESL and financial literacy information and resource
referrals are also available for Haitian families.
In
assisting parent advocacy, members of the organization have helped parents navigate
the school system when language, culture, or bureaucracy has erected barriers.
In one instance associates from HAA attended a PTA meeting to help bridge the
English goings-on for some Creole-only speaking parents. In another situation,
when parents needed to make choices about their children’s education, HAA
held workshops to help inform parents what their options were.
When
the recent situation erupted in Queens with the mistreatment of Haitian
students
at PS 34, HAA members wrote letters to the Chancellor, attended meetings at the
Mayor’s Office, and worked with Hope, the Queens organization that spearheaded
the responses.
HAA
members also recently taught Haitian Creole to Downstate Medical Center staff
and will soon meet with Downstate’s staff to address: What can Downstate
do to better deliver medical service to the Haitian community?
Ten
years ago HAA members were in their 20’s and 30’s and as they’ve
grown older they have entered new phases of their lives. The organization has
also changed. HAA has scaled back its initial aims so that it can concentrate
on advocacy and education. Its annual fundraising event brings together supporters
of these goals and sustains the scholarship fund.
A
bamboche is not a bamboche without music and dance. Running a bit late, Wyclef
Jean arrived in time to be honored for his contribution and commitment to promoting
awareness of Haitian causes through music. He then performed with his band starting
with his more lyrical songs. The drummer joined the musicians moving into a long
selection of compas music that got folk’s blood circulating, feet and body
moving. Wrapping up with rara music even the most reluctant joined the dance en
masse. By performance end the walls on Gansevoort St. were pulsing. “Bamboche
Creole” was a complete success and a great time was had
by all.
