29008: Hermantin(News)An ethnic side of civic life (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY
An ethnic side of civic life

Haitians have a large presence in North Miami, and it influences the politics 
and everyday life of the city.
BY MARISSA D. CLARKE
mclarke@MiamiHerald.com

The Haitian-American community is one of the most dominant ethnic groups in 
North Miami, helping to elect the city's first Haitian-American mayor, Joe 
Celestin, in 2001.

Last year, two other Haitian Americans were elected to the City Council -- 
Marie Steril and Jacques Despinosse.

''I believe my people can do better,'' Despinosse said in a phone interview. 
``I would like for people to be more involved.''

That involvement, according to Despinosse, includes more Haitian immigrants 
becoming citizens and voting.

''I try to get Haitians to understand their civic responsibility to make sure 
we have representation at the polls,'' he said.

Despinosse, who has lived in the city for more than 12 years, came to the 
United States in 1968 and moved to Florida in the late 1970s.

''I have seen changes, believe me,'' he said, ``but we can do more.''

Part of those changes can be seen along a strip of West Dixie Highway, which is 
home to a number of Haitian-run businesses, including beauty salons, clothing 
stores and a tailor shop. The seafood restaurant Chef Creole serves a variety 
of Caribbean-influenced food, such as oxtail, steamed shrimp and conch and 
chicken.

''We have been in North Miami for about eight years,'' said manager Harry 
Pierre.

The restaurant is the brainchild of Wilkenson Sejour and his friend, the late 
Jude Pierre. They opened the first Chef Creole in 1992.

Chef Creole has catered to many patrons, including National Basketball 
Association star Magic Johnson, and has offered discounts to students and to 
police officers with a badge or in uniform.

''I love their food -- there is something about the food,'' said customer Asia 
Casses, who was ordering takeout.

Casses grew up in North Miami and recently moved to Carol City.

But she still makes the trip to Chef Creole ``about two or three times a 
week.''