FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:  Eno Mondesir, H.A.U. Chairman
unity@hauinc.org
(617) 298-2976  

HAITIAN-AMERICANS UNITED, INC. (H.A.U.) CELEBRATES HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH

An Annual Month-Long Celebration to Feature a Multi-Block Parade in Mattapan Square and Flag Raising Ceremony at Boston’s City Hall

BOSTON, MA (April 20, 2007) --- Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.), a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan community organization announced today that it will stage its 7th Annual Haitian-American Unity Parade and 12th Annual Haitian Flag Raising Ceremony in honor of Haitian Heritage Month.  The Haitian-American Unity Parade will take place on Sunday, May 20, 2007 and will depart from Mattapan Square at 1:00 p.m. sharp. The Flag Raising Ceremony is scheduled for 12:00 Noon on Friday, May 18, 2007 at Boston’s City Hall.  Both events are free of charge and open to the public.  All are invited to attend.
The main objectives of the Annual Haitian Heritage Month celebrations are to: 1) highlight the Haitian culture by providing a better understanding and visual representation of the Haitian way of life to a wide range of audiences in Massachusetts and 2) promote community building. 
“The month of May holds many significant dates for Haitians and people of Haitian descent,” says Eno Mondesir, H.A.U.’s Chairman.  “As a result, every year, H.A.U., in collaboration with other Haitian-American organizations in the New England area, organizes a series of activities during the month of May, including the annual Haitian-American Unity Parade and Flag Raising Ceremony at Boston ’s City Hall to commemorate Haitian Heritage Month.”
The Haitian-American Unity Parade is a multi-block procession that travels straight up Blue Hill Avenue and ends on Talbot Avenue.  It features historical floats, Haitian-American student delegations from local elementary and high schools, colleges and universities, marching bands, youth and religious groups, various elected officials, as well as several well-known community leaders and dignitaries.   The Flag Raising Ceremony pays tribute to the Haitian and American flags and features performances by Haitian-American students, speeches by various elected officials and well-known community leaders and dignitaries.

For more information about Haitian Heritage Month, H.A.U. or how to become a sponsor, parade participant or volunteer for this year's events, visit www.hauinc.org and www.haitianheritagemonth.net

ABOUT H.A.U.
Haitian-American United, Inc. (H.A.U.) is a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-partisan community organization, working to improve the quality of life for Haitians and Haitian-Americans in Massachusetts and Haiti – using education, socio-economic empowerment and cultural development.  The organization is dedicated to preserving, promoting and celebrating Haitian Heritage, by promoting patriotism to unify the diverse populations of the Haitian Diaspora.  

NOTE TO EDITORS:
Haitian Heritage Month organizers are available to comment on this annual tradition and its potential impact on the Greater Boston area.  Photos from last year's events are also available upon request.  To arrange an interview or for additional information, contact Eno Mondesir, H.A.U. Chairman at unity@hauinc.org or by calling (617) 298-2976.