Every day another media outlet comes into Miami’s Little Haiti to unlock the secrets of “gentrification”: the shrinking radius of the neighborhood; the corrupt politicians homing in on monies meant to sustain community; the buildings knocked down; the empty lots; the sounds of yesteryear fading away, and so on. Some ask: “where is Little Haiti?” or “does it go beyond a few blocks radius?” or “do Haitian folks still reside here?” This exhibition, I Am Little Haiti, curated by Carl-Philippe Juste and Rebecca Friedman, PhD, provides another way in.
I Am Little Haiti is the fifth chapter in a multiple-year project funded by the Mellon Foundation through Florida International University’s Commons for Justice: Race, Risk, Resilience project, led by the Extreme Events Institute, and the exhibition is in partnership with Green Space Miami and The Green Family Foundation Trust.
As Carl-Philippe Juste, long-time resident, photojournalist, and exhibition curator explains: “Little Haiti cannot be erased. It is not that fragile. Now, more than ever, given the tentative nature of our democracy, it is the time to be brave, to embrace what is and to celebrate it. I am Little Haiti and I invite you to join me.”
I Am Little Haiti – on view at Green Space Miami from May 11-August 10, 2024 – imagines the beauty and depth of Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood and community across time and through space with layered, multi-vocal and multidisciplinary storytelling. And ultimately, by forging this connection between the Little Haiti on the gallery walls and the narratives of those who walk through and see, we all become part of the story.
Director of FIU’s Public Humanities Lab, Dr. Rebecca Friedman, remarks, “it has been a privilege to curate this show with Carl, someone whose legacy precisely represents the story we wish to tell: Little Haiti may occupy a shrinking geographic space on the map, but it is an idea, a set of values, a community. Little Haiti cannot be erased by predatory development or political hijinks. We hope to honor and celebrate all the artists, community members and colleagues who are connected to this historic and contemporary place”.
Each of the exhibition’s five chapters investigates, through photographs, essays, videos, mixed media art and the exhibition itself, the dynamics of change on the streets, in the homes and businesses and public spaces, of Miami’s Little Haiti. It is here – in Little Haiti – where each of us feels our collective humanity: our strength, our joy, our history, and our community.
This exhibition is funded by the Mellon Foundation and its Commons for Justice project led by the Extreme Events Institute-FIU and presented in collaboration with the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance; IPC ArtSpace, Iris PhotoCollective, Green Space Miami, The Green Family Foundation Trust and the Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab (WPHL)-FIU. The opening is May 11 from 6-9 pm.
About Carl-Philippe Juste
Carl-Philippe Juste is an acclaimed photojournalist with a remarkable career spanning decades. His work has been recognized and awarded internationally, and he is known for his dedication to capturing powerful stories that inspire change and ignite important conversations.
About Rebecca Friedman, PhD
Dr. Rebecca Friedman is a Professor of History and Founding Director of the Public Humanities Lab at Florida International University. She is a leading expert on community-engaged research and creating university-community partnerships in the humanities and arts and has spearheaded many projects in Greater Miami and beyond.
About Green Space Miami
Green Space Miami, a Green Family Foundation Trust project, is a platform for showcasing Miami’s diverse artistic talent. Through exhibitions and educational programs, Green Space Miami supports local artists and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Miami-Dade County. https://greenspacemiami.org/
About FIU Commons for Justice
The FIU Commons for Justice strives to build a research-analysis-awareness-voice-solutions program to identify, illustrate, and address the deep racial and ethnic inequities in pre-event disaster exposures, vulnerabilities, and post-event resilience resources and capacities. https://commonsforjustice.fiu.edu/
About Iris PhotoCollective
Iris PhotoCollective empowers Photojournalists of Color to share independent narratives and stories, fostering a deeper understanding of diverse cultures and experiences.
About the Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab-FIU
The Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab (WPHL) serves as FIU’s hub for public facing research, teaching and community initiatives in the areas of arts and culture.
About the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance
Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance is committed to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of the Haitian American community through arts and cultural programming. During Art Week it oversees the official Art Basel Global Borderless Caribbean exhibition each year.
