Photo: Carl Stevens/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Tuesday, May 20 marked the grand opening of the Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center of Massachusetts, the first Haitian cultural center of its kind in New England.
The center consists of an art gallery, library and event space, with program director Karm-Syndia Augustin calling it a cultural epicenter for the Haitian community.
“This center is that beacon of hope that is telling us yes, we can celebrate,” Augustin said. “It's true back home things are a little bit messy, but we can celebrate because this place reminds us of who we are, of where we come from.”
She also discussed how the center has been in the work for decades, but it has all been worth it in order to have this all encompassing space for Haitian culture.
“It's been 20 years in the making, this is more than a dream come true,” Augustin said. “Right now, too, there is so much negativity about Haiti or Haitians in the news, we need to combat that with something positive and what do we have? We have a beautiful culture.”
Read More: Haitian-American Unity Day Celebrated In Mattapan
Augustin said that she hopes to attract people from all walks of life to the center, bringing everyone together.
“It is a cultural embassy for us Haitians to share a culture with other communities and also to bring other communities to the Haitian community,” she said.
The center is located at 131 Beverly Street in Boston’s Lovejoy Wharf, about a block from North Station. This opening also occurred during Haitian Heritage Month, with a multi-day celebration happening this past weekend that showcased Haitian culture.
WBZ NewsRadio's Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.