Pompano Beach to mark Haitian Heritage Month in May with cultural events

The City of Pompano Beach is gearing up for a powerful tribute to Haitian culture and history with a full slate of events to mark Haitian Heritage Month, culminating in the celebration of Haitian Flag Day on May 18.

Presented by Pompano Beach Arts, the month-long program highlights the resilience, creativity, and global contributions of Haitians through music, art, cinema, dance, and food.

Haitian Heritage Month pays tribute to Haiti’s revolutionary history and cultural legacy. Central to the celebration is Haitian Flag Day, which commemorates the creation of the Haitian flag in 1803, shortly before the country declared independence from France. The moment marked the birth of the world’s first Black republic and the first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Throughout May, Pompano Beach will host events showcasing Haitian excellence in the arts and beyond. Here's what’s on the calendar:

• May 2 – Old Town Untapped (6–10 PM): A lively intermission performance by KOTR Dance Studio in Old Town Pompano sets the tone, offering a sneak peek of what’s to come at the Konpa Dance Class later in the month.

• May 9 – Celebrating Haitian Cinema (6–9 PM): Haitian filmmaker Al’Ikens Plancher curates an evening of short films at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, accompanied by a tasting of traditional Haitian cuisine and recipe cards.

• May 10 – Film & Storytelling Workshop (11 AM–2 PM): Budding filmmakers can work directly with Al’Ikens Plancher in a hands-on workshop on culture-based storytelling, exploring directing and production techniques in the Cultural Center’s Digital Media Lab.

• May 10 – Konpa Pompano (5–10 PM): The Ali Cultural Arts Center will pulse with Caribbean energy as top Haitian DJ @Ti.Joe brings the heat to the dance floor. The event includes konpa dance lessons, a vendor marketplace, and an open dance party that welcomes both beginners and seasoned dancers.

• May 16 – Artist Talk with Sophia Lacroix (6–9 PM): The renowned Haitian-American artist will share insights into her creative journey and current exhibition "Roots and Realism: A Haitian Artist’s Reminiscence", which runs through June 21, 2025, at the Ali Cultural Center.

All events are open to the public and require RSVP through Pompano Beach Arts, which also provides updates and behind-the-scenes content throughout the month.

The City’s Cultural Affairs Department, operating as Pompano Beach Arts, continues its mission to enrich the local community through diverse cultural programming. Haitian Heritage Month celebrations offer an opportunity not only to honor Haiti’s past and present but also to uplift the Haitian-American diaspora and its enduring impact on cities like Miami, New York, Boston, and South Florida.

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.pompanobeacharts.org.