Haitian luminaries honored at Brooklyn Borough Hall independence celebration 

NEW YORK – Brooklyn Borough Hall hosted a Haitian Independence Day celebration last week that brought together elected officials, community leaders and residents to honor Haiti’s history, culture and enduring legacy — and four Haitian New Yorkers.

City Council members Rita Joseph, Farah Louis, Mercedes Narcisse and Chi Ossé planned the event hosted by the Office of Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso to commemorate Haiti’s 1804 independence while highlighting the strength, resilience and unity of the Haitian  Diaspora in New York City.

• Elected officials and community members gather at Brooklyn Borough Hall during a Haitian Independence Day celebration on Jan. 8, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Office of Council Member Rita Joseph.
• Elected officials and community members gather at Brooklyn Borough Hall during a Haitian Independence Day celebration on Jan. 8, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Office of Council Member Rita Joseph.
• Elected officials and community members gather at Brooklyn Borough Hall during a Haitian Independence Day celebration on Jan. 8, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Office of Council Member Rita Joseph.
• Elected officials and community members gather at Brooklyn Borough Hall during a Haitian Independence Day celebration on Jan. 8, 2026. Photo courtesy of the Office of Council Member Rita Joseph.

Nurse Nancy Hagans, president of the nurses’ union who led the strike this week, nonprofit leader Porez Luxama, actor Atibon Nazaire and Dr. Henry Paul received proclamations for their contributions to health care, providing services and the arts across the city. Elected officials presented the honors in between remarks about Haitian independence, a recap of the history that inspired liberation movements worldwide, and a dance and drum performance. 

Paintings, banners and other cultural elements brought the historical theme to life, alongside a resource fair featuring Haitian community-based organizations. Marie Lily Cerat, executive director of the CUNY Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College also delivered a 10-minute presentation about the revolution that brought the world the First Black Republic.

“History reminds us that freedom has never been granted quietly, it has always been secured by those who refuse silence, who name injustice and demand of the world otherwise,” Cerat said. “It reminds us that resistance is not only political but also cultural and spiritual, that our voices, our faith, and our traditions are tools of liberation.”

The standing-room-only soirée drew a mix of longtime community advocates, local leaders and residents, reflecting Brooklyn’s deep ties to Haiti and its diaspora. Throughout, speakers delivered a blend of remarks that alternated between praise for Haiti’s achievements and reminders to keep fighting, this time against immigrants’ rights and benefits such as Temporary Protected Status..

City Advocate Jumaane Williams, newly re-elected to the role, drew some of the most cheers when he introduced himself as ‘Avoka pèp la’ and urged people to stand up against xenophobic policies and tactics that harm Haitians.

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