A client recently asked me about the difference between French and Haitian Creole. Her Haitian...
May is Haitian Heritage Month, a time to recognize the rich culture, resilience, and contributions of the Haitian people.
For companies committed to building diverse, thriving workplaces, this month offers a powerful opportunity.
Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month isn’t just a gesture of goodwill, it’s a smart investment in employee engagement, loyalty, and performance.
Here’s why it matters, and how it can strengthen your business.
Where Haitian Heritage Month Is Officially Recognized
and Why May 18 Matters
Across the United States, Haitian Heritage Month is celebrated in many communities, but it is officially recognized in major cities like Miami, Boston, and Chicago. These communities use May as a time to spotlight Haiti’s enduring contributions to history, culture, and society.
One of the most important days of the month is May 18 — Haitian Flag Day.
This day commemorates the creation of the Haitian flag in 1803, a powerful symbol of Haiti’s fight for freedom and independence. Across the world, Haitians celebrate May 18 with pride, music, food, and the joyful greeting "Bòn Fèt Drapo!" (Happy Flag Day!).
For companies looking to build stronger bonds with Haitian employees and clients, acknowledging Haitian Flag Day is a meaningful and respectful gesture.
Even simple actions, like a teamwide "Bòn Fèt Drapo!" message or spotlighting the Haitian flag’s history, can build pride, belonging, and trust across your workforce.
Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month in meaningful ways directly strengthens your workplace in several key areas.
Recognize and Strengthen Belonging
Many Haitian employees play essential roles across operations, logistics, customer service, healthcare, and other sectors. Yet, recognition often extends only to job performance, without acknowledging the richness of their cultural identity.
When companies take the time to celebrate Haitian Heritage Month, employees feel seen, not just for what they do, but for who they are.
When employees feel truly valued, they are more likely to:
In today’s competitive job market, genuine recognition isn’t a bonus, it’s a necessity.
Build Retention Through Cultural Celebration
Employee turnover is costly and disruptive. One of the most effective ways to improve retention is by cultivating a workplace culture where every individual feels respected, included, and celebrated.
Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month sends a powerful message:
When employees feel a true sense of belonging, they are more likely to stay, grow, and advocate for the company’s success.
Small Actions, Big Impact
Cultural celebrations don’t have to be elaborate or expensive to be meaningful. Even small, thoughtful gestures can leave a lasting impact.
Here are simple ways to honor Haitian Heritage Month:
Share common Haitian Creole phrases like “Mèsi” (Thank you) and “Bonswa” (Good evening).
Each of these touchpoints creates pride, deepens connection, and strengthens team cohesion — without major disruption to daily operations.
Lead with Empathy — Especially Now
Many Haitian employees may be personally impacted by Haiti’s ongoing challenges, including political instability and humanitarian crises. This reality often weighs heavily on their hearts, even as they continue to show up professionally.
Thoughtfully celebrating Haitian Heritage Month honors both their joy and their resilience.
Leading with empathy during this time does more than acknowledge hardship, it builds emotional trust between leadership and staff and fosters a culture of humanity across the organization.
By celebrating hope, pride, and strength, companies show that they see the full human experience of their employees, and that they stand alongside them.
Recognition Drives Results
Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month is more than a cultural acknowledgment, it’s a powerful business strategy.
| It strengthens retention. | It boosts morale. |
| It builds a workplace where employees feel empowered to stay, grow, and contribute their best work. |
It fosters pride and connection. |
This May, seize the opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and deepen your connections with every member of your team.
Ready to Take the First Step?
We’ve created a free Haitian Heritage Month Toolkit packed with ideas, Creole phrases, cultural facts, and easy-to-use templates to help you celebrate meaningfully — no matter the size of your organization.
Download the Haitian Heritage Month Toolkit here.
Need a Little Extra Support?
Feel free to email us for free guidance! We’re happy to help you:
Our team is here to make celebrating easy, meaningful, and impactful.
Let’s celebrate together and build stronger, more inclusive workplaces for everyone.
