Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

It was a glitter-filled night of celebration as hundreds of well-wishers came to the Four Seasons Hotel on Saturday, May 21st to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center. Haitian diaspora leaders, South Florida community luminaries, public leaders and university administrators and staff were among the guests who came to celebrate the years of community advocacy and services Sant La and its Executive Director Gepsie Metellus have provided to the Haitian community in Miami.

WPLG Channel 10 news anchor Calvin Hughes was the master of ceremonies for the event which featured an invocation by Reverend Vensen Ambeau, a video tribute entitled "A Decade of Service," and an awards presentation. Sant La honored Green Family Foundation President Kimberly Green, Calvin Hughes, The Honorable Fred Seraphin, and The John S. & James L. Knight Foundation for their respective commitments to the Haitian community. Each honoree received a custom, inscribed artwork designed by Edouard Duval-CarriƩ.

A silent auction featured Haitian artwork, clothing, and other items. The evening also featured the first Florida viewing of Chita Tande (Sit and Listen), a Green Family Foundation-commissioned sculpture created by artist Philippe Dodard and a team of artists and Haiti. Chita Tande was created to showcase the music and materials inside the Grammy-nominated "Alan Lomax in Haiti: Recordings from the Library of Congress, 1936-1937" box set. The listening station made its debut at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in April.

Executive Director Gepsie Metellus was honored by her staff with flowers and a special gift. The evening ended with an after-party that featured a DJ and dancing.

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