Little Haiti celebrates 10 years since official Miami designation

MIAMI — A cultural hub and cornerstone for Miami’s Haitian community is celebrating a milestone anniversary.

Read more Russia maintains attacks on Ukraine as Kyiv warned to brace for possible major barrage

Little Haiti on Tuesday marked 10 years since Miami commissioners made a pivotal proclamation officially designating the neighborhood along the Northeast Second Avenue corridor.

The board unanimously approved the designation in 2016.

“We are definitely going to focus on that moment, and we have historically been celebrating this each and every year, so for us to be able to do this a decade later, we’re extremely happy,” said Joann Milord, president and CEO of the Little Haiti Revitalization Trust.

The vibrant district adds to Miami’s rich fabric of diversity.

Creole fills the streets, buildings are coated with colorful murals, authentic cuisine draws crowds and the robust art and music scene continues to thrive.

“The greatest thing about Miami is about the diversity of the cultures,” Milord said. “It’s such a way for you to be able to travel the world just by experiencing.”

Read more Democrats feud over stock trading as they sharpen anti-corruption case against Trump

Little Haiti’s history stretches far beyond the last decade.

The neighborhood’s roots date back nearly 50 years after Haitian-born businessman, community leader and activist Viter Juste gave the area its name.

Juste moved to Miami in the 1970s and is considered a visionary for helping establish a community where Haitians could live, work and worship.

“We have been here for generations, making contributions to the community, through businesses, through the economy,” Milord said.

It is a place where traditions have been preserved and are still celebrated today.

Read more Knicks fans forget about the bad times and savor a record run to their first NBA Finals since 1999