2018 Haitian Heritage Celebration

Asbury Park

2018 Haitian Heritage Celebration

A Photo Retrospective By Eric A Cheavers

By Michelle Gladden

The 2018 Celebration of Haitian Heritage Month was held this past week at the Asbury Park Senior Center, located at 1201 Springwood Ave.

Founded by Kareen Delice-Kircher, the event’s honorary chairs included Mayor John Moor, Board of Education Vice President Sheila Etienne, Cassandra Momplaisir, and Marie Gilles.

The Saturday event honored:

Mr. Guil Laroc of Laroc Paving, recipient of the Business Leader Award

Mr. Howard West, recipient of the Friend of Haiti Award

Father Paul Janvier, recipient of the Spiritual Leader Award

Speakers included Congressman Frank Pallone Jr, Moor, and Irvington Councilwoman Charnette Frederic; and scholarships were awarded to a student of Haitian descent from Asbury Park, Neptune, and Ocean Township high schools.

Kircher sent over the following comment:

“The civil rights icon Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell graciously accepted my invitation to do the benediction at the event, and then he asked if he could have 5 minutes to do a presentation to me and the Pastors. I said sure, thinking that he wanted me to set up a private meeting, but he said he would like to publicly honor us for the work we have done to bridge the gap and tensions between the African-American and Haitian-American community.

In the recent past, I worked with Rev. Caldwell and others on Rev. Nicolle Harris to use a multicultural approach to spiritual as well as business interactions in Asbury Park: with Bible Study in the Park, and then in conversations with major business concerns in town such as Madison Marquette.

Most recently, Rev. Caldwell attended a talk at Trinity Church where I was one of the business owners invited by Derek Minno-Bloom to discuss the challenges and opportunities of black business in Asbury Park. Afterwards he got a copy of my book, and by the time I spoke to him again to do the benediction, he felt moved to make such a presentation to me and the pastors.

I was in such shock of him wanting to do that that I didn’t tell my family until the next day. To even have met someone who was a close ally of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was already impressive to me. But to receive an honor from him is never the sort of thing that would cross my mind. I’m glad he counts me among those who are creating positive change for the benefit of everyone.”

Below is a photo retrospective Howell native Eric A Cheavers, who is a member of the Haitian community. Cheavers is the owner of Track 3 Productions, which allows him to do freelance work as a photographer, cameraman and editor. He also works professionally for Philadelphia-based PHL17 news as cameraman and editor.