The Assembly State of New York Albany

THE ASSEMBLY CHAIR Subcommittee on Oversight of Minority & Women-Owned STATE OF NEW YORK Business Enterprises (MWBE) ALBANY COMMITTEES Banks Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry RODNEYSE BICHOTTE nd Governmental Operations Assemblymember 42 District Housing Kings County Small Business Social Services MEMBER Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus Legislative Women’s Caucus Ernest Skinner Brooklyn, NY 11210

October 4, 2017

Dear Mr. Skinner,

On September 27, 2017 Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte and several other elected officials and members of their staff received a scathing email from you stating that the movement to establish a “Little Haiti” was “misguided” and “divisive,” and referred to Haiti as a “Fourth World country despite the noble start.” It is unfortunate that attempts to support “Little Haiti”, in Flatbush, Brooklyn may be viewed as divisive, given the recent movement to establish a “Little Caribbean” designation in Brooklyn. We find these comments to be not only highly disrespectful, but ill-informed and demand an immediate public apology.

In your email, you also asked, “In Brooklyn, for many years now there has been TALK of a “Little Haiti” along lower Nostrand Avenue. What have you Haitians done to advance THAT?” The fact of the matter is that there is a “Little Haiti” that has been in the making for decades that covers a wide geographical area including Nostrand Avenue. The Haitian community has accomplished a number of things leading up to the designation of “Little Haiti” such as the:

 street naming of Toussaint L’Ouverture Boulevard on Nostrand Avenue  annual Toussaint L’Ouverture Symposium and Business Expo  Haitian parades down all of Nostrand Avenue  Haitian Flag Day  Haitian Unity Day (Albany)  Haitian Selebrayson Week  Haitian street fairs  establishment of the Haitian Studies Institute (HSI)  designation of Haitian Day  passage of a civil rights resolution (New York State)  introduction of legislation for Haitian Creole-speaking poll workers and translators and for the translation of voting materials into Haitian-Creole  certification of a number of Haitian-owned businesses as Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises  and much more

ALBANY OFFICE: Room 833, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248 • 518-455-5385, FAX: 518-455-3881 DISTRICT OFFICE: 1312 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11210 • 718-940-0428, FAX: 347-627-9414 EMAIL: [email protected] THE ASSEMBLY STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY

RODNEYSE BICHOTTE Assemblymember 42nd District Kings County

A letter, on September 27, 2017, from an individual organizer who is trying to single handedly form a “Little Caribbean,” hints at a dichotomy between supporters of “Little Caribbean” and “Little Haiti”. The Borough of Brooklyn is a diverse community and represents many cultures. As advocates and supporters of Haitian American initiatives, we are aware that the concept of “Little Haiti” has been in the hearts, minds, and on the lips of many within the City of New York for decades. This organizer even had conversations about the designation of a “Little Haiti” three (3) years ago and was fully aware of our intentions.

Affectionately, many already refer to the neighborhood around Nostrand Avenue, Clarendon Road, Flatbush Avenue, Church Avenue, and Ocean Avenue in East Flatbush/Flatbush, as “Little Haiti.” East Flatbush/Flatbush has one of, if not the largest, Haitian populations in the country. As previously stated we acknowledge that Brooklyn is diverse and we do not advocate for “Little Haiti” in opposition to a Little Caribbean designation.

Assemblymember Rodneyese Bichotte’s September 27, 2017 letter makes clear that the cultural designation of an area within the community requires the implementation of proper protocol to include community stakeholders, not only when planning events but also to discuss the underlying motives and agenda.

We support the Caribbean community. We are part of the Caribbean community. In recognition and in support of our heritage we advocated for placing the Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College; not instead of “Little Haiti,” but in continuance of cultivating “Little Haiti’s” foundation.

We fear a conflict will benefit no one in this community and look forward to discussing these issues with a broader base of Brooklyn’s stakeholders.

With that said Mr. Skinner we demand a public apology. Although you have supported Haitian Americans and Haitian initiatives in the past, your statement clearly shows that your heart was not in it and thus erases any and all efforts.

Sincerely,

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Assemblymember Michaelle Solages Assemblymember Kimberly Jean-Pierre David Morisset, Esq.

ALBANY OFFICE: Room 833, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248 • 518-455-5385, FAX: 518-455-3881 DISTRICT OFFICE: 1312 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11210 • 718-940-0428, FAX: 718-703-0216 EMAIL: [email protected] THE ASSEMBLY STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY

RODNEYSE BICHOTTE Assemblymember 42nd District Kings County

Michelle Desir Jensen Desrosiers Marie Hyppolite Jeff Lindor Ritha Pierre, Esq.

Haitian American Caucus (HAC) Haitian American Business Network Chamber of Commerce (HABNET) Haitian Round Table (HRT) Haiti Cultural Exchange (HCX) Tonel Foundation

cc: Congress Member Yvette D. Clarke State Senator Kevin Parker Assemblymember N. Nick Perry Assemblymember Diana C. Richardson Council Member Jumaane D. Williams Council Member Mathieu Eugene Female District Leader, Melba Brown Male District Leader, Josue Pierre Male District Leader, Cory Provost Dr. Una S. T. Clarke Chief of Staff to Councilmember Williams, Rance Huff Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte, Rona Taylor