City Council celebrates Haitian heritage

Boston is home to one of the largest populations of Haitian immigrants in the United States and became the first City to celebrate May as Haitian Heritage Month in 1998.

This month-long celebration grew from the Haitian Flag Day on May 18, a nationally recognized day in Haiti, the U.S., and throughout the Diaspora. In years past, Haitian Flag Day was commemorated in Boston with a parade along Blue Hill Avenue through Dorchester and Mattapan.

The Haitian community in Boston is incredibly active, with several community organizations based here, including Haitian Americans United, Association of Haitian Women in Boston, Haitian American Public Health Initiatives, Inc., the Haitian Nurses Association (HNA), the Boston Haitian Reporter, as well as over 100 small businesses.

The Council, in honor of the history, heritage, and culture of Haitians and Haitian Americans, recognizes May 2021 as Haitian Heritage Month in the City of Boston.