A new cultural celebration is set to debut in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood this Haitian Flag Day, with organizers promising an immersive showcase of Caribbean heritage, music, food and community pride.
Unity Fest, led by entrepreneur and community figure Wilkinson Sejour — widely known across South Florida as Chef Creole — will take place on May 18 at the flagship Chef Creole location on NW 54th Street.
The inaugural festival, scheduled from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., aims to celebrate Haitian and wider Caribbean culture through live entertainment, art, cuisine and storytelling while creating a gathering space for residents and visitors alike.
Organizers said attendees can expect performances from Haitian compas band T-Vice, alongside DJs including DJ Griot and DJ PureFunk. The event will also feature spoken-word performances, poetry and cultural storytelling throughout the evening.
In addition to music, the festival will spotlight Caribbean-inspired cuisine, local artisans and small businesses. Performances by the marching bands of Miami Edison Senior High School and Miami Northwestern Senior High School are also planned, along with a Junkanoo procession meant to infuse the celebration with Caribbean rhythm and tradition.
“I’ve always believed that food, music and culture have the power to bring people together,” Sejour said in a statement. “Unity Fest creates a space to celebrate our heritage, uplift local talent and build something meaningful that people can truly feel, taste and experience together.”
He added that Haitian Flag Day represents “pride, resilience and unity” and said the festival honors not only Haitian culture but the broader Caribbean influence that continues to shape Miami.
The celebration will begin earlier that weekend with a kickoff art exhibition hosted by MUCE on May 15 at the Chef Creole performance lot. The exhibition will feature visual art, live performances and storytelling from artists including Nate Dee, Azizi, Oscar Martinez, Joe Wesley, Fabi Policarp, Tawana Dixon and Ruth Louissaint.
Organizers described the exhibition as a milestone moment marking both a decade of MUCE’s creative contributions and the group’s return to the community.
Connie Kinnard, who is supporting the initiative, said events such as Unity Fest help strengthen Miami’s identity as a hub for Caribbean culture.
“Events like Unity Fest allow residents and visitors to immerse themselves in experiences that celebrate the Caribbean’s food, music and culture, which continue to define and expand our destination’s global appeal,” Kinnard said. “This year’s event will be something special.”
Beyond entertainment, organizers say the festival is intended as an investment in community-centered programming and local economic activity. With longstanding roots in Little Haiti, Chef Creole has become a cultural touchpoint within the neighborhood while serving residents and visitors for decades.
Tickets for Unity Fest are available through Eventbrite.
