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Haiti Support ProjectJuneteenth, 2009

Tour of the Citadel to Highlight Visit
Haiti Support Project Announces Third Pilgrimage to Haiti

New York — Dr. Ron Daniels, President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) and Founder of the Haiti Support Project (HSP), announced today that plans are in full gear for the Third Pilgrimage to Haiti to promote cultural-historical tourism and economic/business investment in the first Black Republic in this hemisphere. Scheduled for October 8-12, the Third Pilgrimage will mark five years since HSP mobilized more than 500 African Americans, Haitian Americans and friends of Haiti to participate in Cruising into History (CIH) via Royal Caribbean Int´l in August of 2004 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Haitian Revolution. As an outgrowth of CIH, HSP launched the Model City Initiative (MCI) to transform the town of Milot, which sits at the foot of the Citadel and Sans Souci  Palace in the northern region of Haiti, into a Mecca for cultural-historical tourism and  people based economic development. HSP organized highly successful Pilgrimages to Haiti in 2006 and 2007 in support of MCI.

Clearly excited about the forthcoming event, Dr. Daniels said, “This year we hope to organize the highest profile and most influential delegation of African Americans, Haitian Americans and friends of Haiti ever to make the Pilgrimage.” According to Dr. Daniels, a major goal of the Pilgrimages is to combat the negative images of Haiti generated by unsympathetic media by providing an opportunity for participants to meet Haiti´s people and experience the culture first hand. “We believe people should come and see for themselves the rich history, culture and irrepressible energy/dynamism of the Haitian people. In that spirit, every person of African descent and friend of Haiti should visit the Citadel at least once in a lifetime.” Considered one of the great wonders of the world, the Citadel is a magnificent mountaintop fortress built by King Henri Christophe to defend the Revolution against further French invasions.

In addition to visiting the Citadel, the delegation will be briefed by U.S. Embassy staff, meet with Ministers of Government and participate in Roundtable discussions hosted by women´s organizations and political, business and civic leaders. The delegation will also visit other important cultural sites, shop for fabulous Haitian art and handicrafts and relax on one of Haiti´s gorgeous beaches. A reception at the Presidential Palace will be the climax of the Pilgrimage. Ultimately Dr. Daniels envisions the participants in the Pilgrimage returning as Ambassadors of Hope for Haiti.

The Pilgrimage delegation will be limited to fifty (50) people nationwide. For further information and to Pre-Register, interested parties should contact HSP immediately at 888.774.2921 or Email: haitipilgrimage@ibw21.org

Dr. Ron Daniels

Dr. Ron Daniels is President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Distinguished Lecturer Emeritus, York College City University of New York. His articles and essays appear on the IBW website www.ibw21.org and www.northstarnews.com. His weekly radio show, Vantage Point can be heard Mondays 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM on WBAI, 99.5 FM, Pacifica in New York, streaming live via WBAI.org. To send a message, arrange media interviews or speaking engagements, Dr. Daniels can be reached via email at info@ibw21.org