International Haitian American Summit - United Nations

March 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Major Cities Across America Launch National Quilt for Haiti
Contact: Linda Bibby, 617-535-9704

"Raise your hand for Haiti".  May 18, 2011, 10AM - United Nations

The future of Haiti is in your hands!  The “Folk Art” quilt tribute presented by the Witherspoon Institute (WIN) is at once a memorial to those lost in the Haitian Earthquake on January 12, 2010 and a message of hope for the future!  

Taking the lead are the top ten states in the U.S. where Haitian Americans reside.  They are bringing bus loads of citizens from each state to the National Prayer Breakfast in New York on May 18, 2011 to raise awarness for Haiti during the Haitian Flag Day.  There, several peices of the puzzle quilt will be presented to the 10 tributary states and over the next 5 years a summit will be called until it reaches (100 yards) 1 football field long signifying, “If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.  It takes us all to solve world goals”.

The first piece of the quilt is designed and presented by Sisters in Stitches Joined by the Cloth Quilting Association and the last piece of the quilt is sewn and presented by Howard University’s Caribbean Culture Club (sponsored by NOAH). What happens in the middle is up to us all.  A day of hope.  A day of remembrance. A day to “Raise your hand for Haiti.”

“I’m enormously grateful to the communities of Massachusetts and across this country for their continued outreach and support to the people and the future of Haiti”, says Senator Kerry of the national coalition founded and lead by the Witherspoon Institute

The Quilt is a testament of how good communities can work together.” says WIN Founder Alda Witherspoon. “We are pleased that Dr. Joseph Baptist is leading the charge in Washington D.C.  His background in neighborhood development is well known in America and abroad particularly with the founding of NOAH—the National Association for the Advancement of Haitians.  Hand in hand America’s spirit is alive with hope for the future of Haiti.”

Background:  Structurally, the Quilting Bee has multiple state chairs with a regional board.  Leading the charge in D.C. is Dr. Joseph E. Baptiste- a highly decorated soldier, an accomplished and accredited dental surgeon, and a recognized community leader.  He has a strong record of community service, serves on numerous boards, and has been recognized by governors, members of congress, and by presidents.  He continues to stay engaged in his homeland by the giving of his time and resources. Not only is he a soldier’s soldier, a Master Dentist, and a bridge builder, but he is also a visionary.  

With the Boston Hub housing the third largest population of Haitians in the U.S., the Witherspoon Institute (WIN), a Boston Based non profit teaching ABLE (academics, ballroom dance, leadership and etiquette to children age 7-18) felt the local citizen's natural connection to the on going needs and suffering of the earthquake torn island of Haiti.  The institute launched a year end project with the children of WIN to explain in literal terms how personal and community leadership helps people in need.  This leadership course grew out of the classroom into Haitian Heritage Month when Simon Malls agreed to sustain the quilting bee’s launch into a public initiative.  WIN toured the state courtesy of Simon’s  Massachusetts malls for several months. With overwhelming response, the project was expanded to a national tour with the support of U.S. Senator John Kerry and Marie St. Fleur, Chief of Inter-Governmental Affairs for the City of Boston, internationally known for her leadership in Haitian affairs.

Event Sponsors: , Haitian American Association, Hatitian Pastor Association; Eritaj Foundation; the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization; Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti of Chicago, IL,; National organization for the Advancement of Haitians of Washington D.C.; Haitian Professionals of Philadelphia of Philadelphia, PA ; First Timothy Christian Church of New York.

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The Witherspoon Institute (WIN), a Boston Based non profit organization teaches ABLE (academics, ballroom dance, leadership and etiquette) to youth and families. Enroll on line at www.witherspooninstitute.net . 617-535-9704