Did you know Haiti is the second country to gain independence in the Americas? Followi ng the United States\, Haiti declared its independence from France on Janu ary 1\, 1804. During the American Revolutionary War\, Saint Domingue (now Haiti) was a critical aid to the American colonies. Haiti helped the U.S. gain independence through financial and military support\, and by disrupti ng British supply lines. \;
\nIn 2 026\, the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of independence. In honor of Haiti's historical alliance to the U.S.\, Broward County Main Library invites you to join us in celebrating Haiti's artistic gifts and t reasures. \;
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\nTrezor Lakay
\nYvon André\;\, affectionately known as &ldquo\;Kapi&rdquo\ ; from the legendary Haitian group Tabou Combo\, proudly presents &ldquo\; Trezor Lakay&rdquo\; &mdash\; a project created to inspire pride among peo ple of African descent. This initiative reflects a deep belief that we hav e a duty to love one another and to celebrate who we are and what we repre sent in the eyes of society.
\nFilmed entirely in the United States by professional filmmakers\, Trezor Lakay fe atures breathtaking footage of Haiti&rsquo\;s most iconic landmarks &mdash \; including the Citadelle Laferriè\;re\, Bassin Bleu\, Î\;le-& agrave\;-Vache\, and other historical sites from the Pearl of the Antilles . The documentary also highlights the brilliance of Haitian intellectuals\ , artisans\, and musical legends who continue to shape the nation&rsquo\;s cultural identity.
\nInspired by the lyrics of a song written by Yvon André\;\, a founding member of the world-renowned Tabou Combo\, the film celebrates over five decades of the band&rsquo\;s dedication to promoting Haitian culture across the globe &md ash\; from Asia and Africa to Europe and the Caribbean. As the first Carib bean band to achieve a Number One hit on the French Hit Parade\, Tabou Com bo&rsquo\;s legacy continues to uplift Haiti&rsquo\;s artistic spirit.
\nThough Haiti is often portrayed as a po or nation\, its cultural wealth is immeasurable. Through Trezor Lakay\, we aim to share that richness with the world &mdash\; showcasing Haiti&rsquo \;s artistry\, music\, beauty\, poetry\, and painting &mdash\; and remindi ng everyone that our heritage is a treasure worth celebrating.
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\nProgram Schedule \;
\nFilm screening and discussion of Trez o Lakay\, with member from the legendary compas music group Tabou Combo\, \;Yvon Andre "Kapi\," and moderated by Mecca AKA Grimo. \;
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Yvon André\; &ldquo\;Kapi& rdquo\; is a distinguished Haitian musician\, best known as a lon g-standing member\, percussionist\, vocalist\, and songwriter for the inte rnationally acclaimed kompa band Tabou Combo. A versatile artist\ , Kapi is also a pianist\, author\, composer\, and arranger whose creativi ty has helped define the band&rsquo\;s signature sound and elevate Haitian music on the global stage. He joined Tabou Combo in 1968 at just fifteen years old\, often sneaking out of his family&rsquo\;s home to perform\, as his parents initially discouraged his musical pursuits. Over the years\, Kapi has written many of the group&rsquo\;s most popular songs\, including several Spanish-language hits such as &ldquo\;Fiesta&rdquo\; and &ldquo\; Panama Querida.&rdquo\; His passion and dedication have kept him performin g with Tabou Combo for more than five decades\, during which he has toured extensively around the world. In 1998\, he accepted a Lifetime Achievemen t Award on behalf of the band in the Ivory Coast\, a moment he described a s historic. Beyond his work with Tabou Combo\, Kapi produced and narrated the documentary Trezò\; Lakay\, a project celebrating Haitian cultur e and heritage. He is also a strong advocate for recognizing percussionist s as complete musicians\, highlighting his own mastery of multiple instrum ents. His contributions to Haitian music have earned him numerous honors\, including Lifetime Achievement Awards from Le P&rsquo\;ti Club and the Is land SPACE Caribbean Museum. Though a dedicated\, full-length Wikipedia bi ography for Kapi may not yet exist\, his influence remains deeply embedded in the story of Tabou Combo and the rich legacy of Haitian music.
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Mecca AKA Grimo i s an experienced educator\, artist and Haitian cultural ambassador. An inn ovative MC and Spoken Word artist\, he performs in several languages inclu ding Kreyol and is hailed as an ambassador for the Spoken Word/Hip-Hop Kre yol Movement. He is a vocal advocate for Haitian history and cultural educ ation in schools and community centers and inspires young people to achiev e their dreams while maintaining strong academics.
\nCarl Craig\, Resident Artist\, The Sto refront
\nBorn in Haiti\, Carl Craig moved to New York wit h his family at the age of fifteen\, where his journey of discipline\, int ellect\, and creativity began. He served honorably in the U.S. Air Force f or more than five years before earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance an d International Business from Florida International University. His profes sional path led him to a distinguished sixteen-year career in the financia l markets\, culminating as a Senior Financial Consultant at Merrill Lynch. Seeking to broaden his impact\, Carl transitioned into international cons ulting\, applying his expertise to global development initiatives.
\nAs a Senior Consultant in the Transitional Government of Prime Minister Gé\;rard Latortue in Haiti\, Carl playe d a pivotal role in shaping and implementing strategies for a national dec entralization program. His work focused on strategic planning and the esta blishment of regional administrative hubs&mdash\;key steps toward sustaina ble and equitable development across the country.
\nDespite his success in finance and consulting\, Carl ultimat ely chose to follow his true passion: the arts. A self-taught painter\, ph otographer\, and musician\, he redirected his energy toward creative expre ssion\, capturing the essence of Haitian culture with remarkable depth and sensitivity. His artwork\, celebrated for its emotional resonance and tec hnical mastery\, has earned him international recognition. In both 2015 an d 2016\, he was a semi-finalist in Bombay Sapphire&rsquo\;s The Artisans S eries\, a prestigious national art competition.
\nCarl&rsquo\;s works have been exhibited internationally\, incl uding in Mexico City at the invitation of the Haitian Ambassador\, and in Cayenne (French Guiana) by special request of the Haitian Consulate\, amon g other venues. Admirers regard him as one of the finest Haitian portrait artists of his generation\, while critics praise his ability to capture th e &ldquo\;sensuality of the Haitian woman&rdquo\; with unmatched grace and authenticity.
\nGuided by his belief that hope resides in the human spirit\, Carl seeks to convey emotion and r esilience through his art. By balancing delicate facial expressions and su btle body language\, he reveals the profound beauty\, strength\, and human ity of his subjects&mdash\;offering viewers a glimpse into the soul of Hai ti itself.
\nWooly Saint Louis Jean\, Je Dis Wooly\, \;Twoubadou \;Music Group
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Born on Septe mber 12\, 1967\, in La Petite Riviè\;re de l&rsquo\;Artibonite\, Hai ti\, Wooly Saint-Louis Jean has established himself as a distinctive voice in Haitian music. He gained recognition with the release of his debut album in May 2005\, earning comparisons to the legendary Fre nch musician Georges Brassens &mdash\; a testament to his poetic lyricism and soulful storytelling that have led many to call him the &ldquo\;Haitia n Brassens.&rdquo\;
\nIn recent years\ , Wooly relocated to the United States\, where he joined forces with a gro up of longtime friends to form &ldquo\;Je dis Wooly\,&rdquo\; a quartet of seasoned musicians dedicated to preserving Haiti&rsquo\;s rich musical he ritage. Blending the infectious rhythms of konpa with the heartfelt essenc e of twoubadou\, the group captures the spirit of Haitian dance traditions while infusing them with Wooly&rsquo\;s unique artistic touch.
\nThe Nubians\, Haitian Dance G roup
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Founded in January 20 16\, Le Nubian Dance Inc. is a non-profit organization de voted to preserving\, promoting\, and celebrating Afro-Haitian culture thr ough the powerful mediums of dance and music. Our mission is to educate\, empower\, and inspire communities by blending the beauty of traditional Ha itian and African movements with the creativity of modern styles.
\nWe invite individuals of all backgrounds to come together in unity through our cultural events\, performances\, and ed ucational programs that honor heritage\, identity\, and tradition. Drawing from rich experience in Haitian folklore\, African dance\, jazz\, hip hop \, and majorette\, Le Nubian Dance Inc. offers a vibrant\, inclusive\, and dynamic platform for cultural expression and artistic growth.
\nHaitian Food Tasting by MOV Fusion Bar &\; Grill
\nLocal Haitian Authors Showcase \;
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\nThis program is made possible with the generous support of the Friends of the Fort Lauderdale Libraries\, the Broward Public Library Foun dation\, and MOV Fusion Bar &\; Grill. \;
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