Hope on a String works to engage and empower youth and communities in Haiti under the firmly held belief that the arts are a tool for social change. Through Hope on a String, individuals participate in a wide variety of music classes, instrument lessons, performance groups, theater and dance initiatives, as well as skill-building workshops and participatory development initiatives. Participants work to build individual confidence, collective pride, powerful relationships, and skills needed to succeed as leaders within the community. Ultimately, we help them identify and fulfill aspirations that create brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods. We invest in locally driven change, and seek to have a long-term impact on a national level by developing a scalable model for social development in Haiti.

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Read more: Changing Lives in Haiti through Music & the Arts

Ambassador Susan Rice tells grads, ‘Your country needs you.’

It was clear Ambassador Susan Rice did her homework before coming to FIU to give the 2016 Spring Commencement speech for the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs.

To enthusiastic laughter, the U.S. National Security Advisor promised “Breezeway cookies for everyone’’ if her address ran too long.

She gave a shout-out to the cafecitos from Bustelo that fuel many a late-night study session. She praised the university’s award-winning Model UN team, currently ranked fourth in North America.

But she also had a serious message, urging students to consider a “higher purpose” by pursuing a career in public service – whether to their community, their country or the world.

“Your country needs you,’’ said Rice, one of the longest-serving U.S. ambassadors to the United Nations. “We need the global approach you’ve honed at [the Green School]. We need your smarts, your skills and, yes, the brilliant mosaic of experiences you carry with you.”

“There is no work more rewarding, no field more exhilarating, no way to have a greater impact than public service,’’ she added.

Noting that her mother’s parents emigrated to the United States from Jamaica in 1912 and her father grew up in segregated South Carolina, Rice also spoke about the importance of diverse perspectives in the nation’s foreign policy and security decisions.

“Without tapping into America’s full range of races, religions, ethnicities, language skills, and social and economic experiences, we’re leading in a complex world with one hand tied behind our back,’’ she said.

She urged students to disregard the “loud voices” that disparage diversity.

Read more 

The Green Family Foundation is proud to support Miami Book Fair The Big Read, a national initiative dedicated to supporting organizations across the country in developing community wide programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences.

This year, the Book Fair has selected The Big Read's first nonfiction title Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat. This book was selected to honor Miami resident Danticat and the estimated 197,000 immigrants from Haiti who live in South Florida. Given the large immigrant community in south Florida- from Haiti and other Caribbean and Latin American nations- the themes of family, exile, separation and reunion as well as the issue of immigration make this a natural match for our community.

Thursday, March 3
8 p.m. | Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables
Haiti’s Earthquake and Its Aftermath: A Conversation with Jonathan Katz

 

Jonathan M. Katz was the only full-time American news correspondent in Haiti on January 12, 2010 when the deadliest earthquake in the history of the Western Hemisphere struck the island nation. In this visceral firsthand account, Katz takes readers inside the terror of that day, the devastation visited on ordinary Haitians, and through the monumental - but misbegotten - rescue effort that followed. The Big Truck That Went By is not only a definitive account of Haiti's earthquake, but of the world we live in today.
 
WLRN's Nadege Green will be in conversation with Katz.
 

 
The Big Read Celebrates Haiti All Month
 

March 1 - March 31, 2016
 
Miami Book Fair celebrates reading with The Big Read, featuring a month of events and activities inspired by Edwidge Danticat’s Brother, I’m Dying, including a photography exhibit by photojournalist Carl Juste, film screenings and Q&A’s with directors, a bilingual theatre performance, author presentations, a Big Night in Little Haiti celebration, happy hour writing events, an open mic and more!
 
With these Big Read programs, we hope to bring the many stories of Haiti and Haitian-Americans, and various perspectives on immigration, to the people of Miami. We want to build bridges between communities, contributing to mutual understanding, respect and appreciation.
 
Want to join The Big Read? Miami Book Fair will give away copies of Brother, I’m Dying throughout the month.

Come to our Big Read events
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More Big Read Events

In Spanish/en español
Thursday, March 10
7 p.m. | Koubek Center of Miami Dade College, 2705 SW 3rd Street
Papeles y Balseros

Prometeo Theatre presents the short, bilingual play, Papeles, and Ernesto Ochoa presents his novel Balseros
Papeles by Hector Pino and Brad Beckman
Two travelers are detained by customs at an international airport in this satirical take on immigration, profiling and identity. Papeles was a City Theatre National Award recipient for Short Playwriting in 2013. 15 minutes.

Balseros by Ernesto Ochoa
Rafters is the first novel written to document and examine the lives of Cubans who’ve emigrated to the U.S. on rafts.

Friday, March 11
7 p.m. | Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami
Miami: One City, Two Homes:
Photography Exhibition

Featuring the photography of Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Carl Juste, Miami documentary photographer Woosler Imhotep Delisfort, long-time Miami Herald photojournalist C.W. Griffin, Miami street photographer Stephanie Farokhnia and the work of students from the MiAmi project. More info at miamibookfair.com.
Photos of Little Haiti, Little Havana, Haiti and Cuba curated by Carl Juste, founder, Iris Photo Collective.
(Exhibit open March 11 - April 30)

March 12, 1 p.m.
O Cinema, 90 NW 29th St, Miami
NYTimes Critics Pick Florida premiere of the feature film
Stones in the Sun/Wòch Nan Soley

Q&A with director Patricia Benoit and author Edwidge Danticat

Set in New York’s Haitian community and Haiti the film weaves together stories of love and family irradiated by the fallout of political terror.

• Winner Tribeca film festival special jury mention
• African Academy award/PAFF best narrative film
• Time Warner storytelling award

“wrenching…a powerfully acted exploration of the different ways that people deal with the traumatic wounds of the past.…[a] profound meditation on how exiles cope with strong mixed emotions about their shared history.”
– Stephen Holden, THE NEW YORK TIMES – NYT Critics’ Pick ✔
Film curated in partnership with Ayiti Images.
In Creole and English

Friday, March 18
6-10 p.m. | Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami
Big Read @ Big Night: A Feast of Women’s Voices & Big Night in Little Haiti

Enjoy a night of literature, music, art, food, culture and fun, as the Miami Book Fair brings the Big Read to Big Night in Little Haiti. Come out before the music starts and enjoy up-close-and-personal discussions with eight women writers of Haitian descent who will provide readings and discussions of their most recent works of fiction, non-fiction, and children's books! Featured authors: Rebecca N. Carmant, M.J. Fievre, Margaret Papillon, Mahalia Solages, Marie Ketsia Theodore-Pharel, Fabienne Josaphat, Cynthia Verna and Mireille Sylvain-David.

Presented in partnership with the 2016 Caribbean Reading Series, Rhythm Foundation, and Little Haiti Cultural Center.

March 19, 1:30 p.m.
Coral Gables Art Cinema, 260 Aragon Ave, Coral Gables
La Belle Vie: The Good Life

a documentary by Haitian American filmmaker, Rachelle Salnave

When one filmmaker comes to terms with her own Haitian identity, she discovers a new generation rediscovering their roots in the midst of the rebuilding of a nation.

• Beacon of Hope Award – General Consulate of the Republic of Haiti
• Best Content in a Documentary Award – Boston International Film FesGval
• Special Recognition for Directing Award – BlackStar Film Festival
• President of the Jurors – Montreal Black Film Festival
• Best Director Award – REEL Sisters Film Festival

Ayiti Images launches its Spring 2016 programming during The Big Read.
Films were curated in partnership with film-maker Rachelle Salnave, founder of Ayiti Images.

Thursday, March 24
6:30 p.m. | Books & Books @ the Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
First Draft: A Literary Social

Participants are led in a short, themed writing prompt. Those who want to, will read their work aloud. We’ll take a break to drink, eat and socialize, (your first drink is always on the house!) then we start the whole process over again.
Theme: Out of place
Instructor: Vanessa Garcia
Free: RSVP required

March 26
7 p.m. | Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables
Storypalooza: The Big Read Edition

Theme: Family Stories Editors: M.J. Fievre, Nick Garnett, Andrea Askowitz

Come out for a storytelling open mic! This is how it works: you have four minutes to tell your story in front of a panel of editors from Lip Service, Miami’s own, homegrown, live (true) storytelling event. Get feedback from these pros before the submission period for May’s Lip Service show.
Free: RSVP required

March 31
6:30 p.m. | Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace
Miami Author Edwidge Danticat in Conversation with Americans for Immigrant Justice Executive Director Cheryl Little, Esq.

Edwidge Danticat's Brother, I'm Dying tells the true story of the author's uncle and father as they work to build a future for themselves and their families - one brother in Haiti and the other in America. Told through Danticat's singular voice, these events set the stage for a powerful tale of loss and remembrance.
Attorney Cheryl Little worked closely with Danticat on her uncle's immigration case.

Delicious Haitian food by Leela's Restaurant prior to start of program.

We Recommend This Special Partner Event
Through March 12
Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami

The City of Miami, Little Haiti Cultural Complex in Collaboration with Lobey Art & Travel and Future Roots Collective Present
Symbols of Freedom:
The Power of Revolution

Little Haiti Cultural Complex Gallery features the work of contemporary Haitian painter Florestal Evens. This exhibition presents Evens paintings as potent visual explorations of the significance and history of Vèvè symbols.

The compelling images provide insight into the African origins of Vèvè, their role as catalytic elements of the Haitian Revolution, and subsequent establishment of Haiti as the first free Black state in the New World founded by self-liberated African slaves.

Curated by Marie Vickles, Curator-in-Residence, LHCC

Organized by Romuald Blanchard, Lobey Art & Travel


Ongoing Events: March 1 - March 31

Miami Writers/Miami Schools:
Big Read 2016
Local Haitian authors Rebecca Demas, M.J. Fievre, and Marie Ketsia Theodore-Pharel lead creative writing workshops with high school students. Students explore their cultural roots and immigrant stories through writing, and produce a chapbook of their stories.
March 1 - March 31

Book Discussions

Book discussions will take place at Miami-Dade public libraries, independent bookstore Books & Books, and MDC campuses. For a complete listing: mdpls.org.

Our mailing address is:
Miami Book Fair
300 N.E. Second Avenue
Freedom Tower, 7th Floor
Miami, FL 33132

The Green Family Foundation is proud to support Miami Book Fair The Big Read, a national initiative dedicated to supporting organizations across the country in developing community wide programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences.

This year, the Book Fair has selected The Big Read's first nonfiction title Brother, I'm Dying by Edwidge Danticat. This book was selected to honor Miami resident Danticat and the estimated 197,000 immigrants from Haiti who live in South Florida. Given the large immigrant community in south Florida- from Haiti and other Caribbean and Latin American nations- the themes of family, exile, separation and reunion as well as the issue of immigration make this a natural match for our community.

Click here for complete events listing

Read more: Miami Book Fair The Big Read