Miami Book Fair and Sosyete Koukouy are proud to present the 2026 Little Haiti Book Festival! Join us in celebrating the rich culture and literary talent of Haiti and the Haitian diaspora. This year, the festival will be held both in-person and online, providing a vibrant platform for authors, artists, and community leaders to share their work and insights. LHBF features a diverse program that spans storytelling and hands-on children’s activities, dynamic dance and music performances, traditional Haitian games, and a comedy showcase. Engaging panel discussions, complemented by interactive sessions, will delve into thought-provoking topics. A community meet-and-greet provides an opportunity to connect with esteemed guests and local leaders from Little Haiti. This curated selection of events is designed to both entertain and educate, reflecting the festival’s dedication to cultural celebration and intellectual discourse.
2026 IN-PERSON PROGRAM – MAY 3
MARKETPLACE
All Day A vibrant destination with exhibitors, food vendors, and a book fair featuring local authors and publishers offering books in English, Haitian Creole, and French.
COURTYARD
All Day: Heart-Pumping Haitian Beats With DJ Nickymix
From the dynamic sounds of konpa to the soulful beats of roots and the ancestral echoes of rara, DJ Nickymix masterfully curates a playlist that embodies Haiti’s spirit.
All Day: Discover the Magic
A cultural ambassador and creative advocate, Mecca “Grimo” Marcelin will entertain and guide you through the festival experience as you enjoy DJ Nickymix’s musical backdrop.
All Day: Free Books for Kids
Courtesy of Miami Book Fair and The Children’s Trust’s Books for Free program.
12 p.m. Koukouy à la Mode
A dynamic fashion show presented by Sosyete Koukouy, featuring bold designs inspired by Haitian culture, blending tradition and contemporary style in a celebration of identity.
3 p.m. NSL Danse Ensemble Performance
Featuring authentic Haitian folk dances that will transport you to another time and place.
4 p.m. Live Music With Ralph Caze
A high-energy performance blending jazz, funk, and Haitian rhythms, delivering an electrifying set that celebrates the richness and versatility of Caribbean sound.
CHILDREN’S ALLEY
All Day: Create! Kids Art-Making Studio with GO GO MOAD
Immerses children in Haitian art and culture through hands-on, playful activities designed to spark imagination. This year’s experience invites participants to create, explore, and move as they bring ideas to life through collaborative artwork. Plus, enjoy engaging historical puzzles from Game Time Ayiti, adding an extra layer of fun and discovery inspired by Haiti’s vibrant past.
11 a.m. Storytelling With Liliane Nérette Louis
Cultural ambassador Liliane Nérette Louis brings tradition to life with beloved Haitian folktales. Gather around for a lively session of tim-tim bwa sèch, where stories, rhythm, and audience participation keep the spirit of Haitian oral tradition alive for children and families alike.
12 p.m. Storytelling, Rhythm & Drums With Yanui
Feel the pulse of Haiti through Yanui’s dynamic blend of stories and percussion. A favorite from Tradisyon Lakou Lakay, she invites kids to move, listen, and create rhythm together.
1 p.m. Storytime With Annick Duvivier
Haitian American artist and author Annick Duvivier invites children into the colorful world of her bilingual story James and Marie Become Friends, a joyful tale celebrating friendship, culture, and connection between Haiti and the United States. Through engaging storytelling and lively interaction, young readers discover the power of kindness, curiosity, and cultural pride.
2 p.m. I’ll Make Tea With Marie Ketsia Theodore-Pharel
A warm and engaging storytime experience where children are invited to listen, imagine, and participate. Perfect for young readers and families to enjoy together.
IN THE BUILDING
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Land & Sea Discovery Lab: Exploring Miami’s Coast Through Science and History
Through hands-on experiments and interactive exploration, Frost Science and HistoryMiami Museum invite families to discover how both nature and human activity shape coastal communities.
Frost Science will demonstrate how waves, coral reefs, trees, and seawalls help protect shorelines through its Constructive Coastlines activity, while HistoryMiami will explore how Miami and its Caribbean communities developed along the coast, highlighting the ways land and sea have influenced culture, settlement, and daily life. In the Science Room.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Teen Zine Workshop With EXILE Projects
Led by Haitian artist Edny Jean Joseph and presented by EXILE Projects, this hands-on workshop invites youth ages 12-18 to create their own zines using collage, drawing, and storytelling. Through cutting, pasting, and creative experimentation, participants explore self-expression, independent publishing, and the power of sharing their voices through art. Teens will leave with a handmade zine and a new appreciation for DIY creativity. In the Community Room.
2-3:30 p.m. Haitian Entrepreneurship for Teens With Phelicia Dell & Delphine Nephtalie Dauphin
Internationally recognized designer and entrepreneur Phelicia Dell, founder of Vèvè Collections, shares how she built a brand rooted in Haitian culture, craftsmanship, and identity. Joining the conversation is a returning favorite, the CEO of Joy’s Yummy Cupcakes and Born Ready Cosmetics, Delphine Nephtalie Dauphin. Together, they offer teens inspiration and practical insight into turning creativity, culture, and passion into real business opportunities. In the Community Room.
DANCE STUDIO
11 a.m. Meditation & Yoga for All Ages
Mindful Art educator Alexandra Jeanty-Leclerc shares simple yet effective techniques to calm the mind, reduce stress, and increase focus. Suitable for all experience levels, this workshop offers a welcoming and inclusive space to explore the benefits of a mindful yoga practice.
1 p.m. Contemporary Haitian Dance With Nancy St. Leger
The founder of NSL Danse Ensemble leads a series of movements and choreography designed to help participants connect with the rhythm and spirit of Haiti, deepening understanding of this soulful art form.
THEATER
12 p.m. Haiti’s Historical Contributions in the Making of America & the World
A panel highlighting the tremendous role Haitians have played in the making of America and in shaping the wider world. From battles like Savannah and key moments in U.S. history to Haiti’s impact on independence movements in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and global ideas of freedom and human rights, the discussion focuses on how Haitian courage, thought, and culture have influenced political struggles, social movements, and communities across continents. Journalist Philippe St Louis, Sosyete Koukouy Ernst Julmeus, and historians Alin Hall and Anthony Georges-Pierre connect these past contributions to the present, illustrating how Haitian history continues to inspire and transform the globe today. In Haitian Creole with English interpretation.
2 p.m. Pawòl Granmoun: The Wisdom of Haitian Proverbs
Join historians, sociologists, and cultural experts for a conversation on the rich tradition of Haitian proverbs – and the role they play in everyday life, education, and identity. Learn how proverbs condense collective wisdom; shape how Haitians talk about love, work, politics, and survival; and transmit values across generations. Akademi Kreyòl Ayisyen Rosilia François Corneille, poet Mingolove Romain, and lyricist/artist Wooly Saint Louis Jean will also highlight how proverbs have evolved over time, how they are used in songs, storytelling, and daily conversations, and what they reveal about Haiti’s history and worldview. Moderated by advocate for Haitian Creole language and culture Maybeline Dugue-Despagne. In Haitian Creole with English interpretation.
LAKOU LOUNGE & COMMUNITY GATHERING
All Day
Just steps from the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, Lakou becomes a relaxed gathering space during the festival where guests can enjoy food, drinks, games, and conversation. Meet festival VIPs and community leaders during scheduled appearances, listen to live podcast interviews with authors and special guests, and unwind in a lively Caribbean atmosphere. After the festival, continue the celebration at Lakou with an after-party featuring a DJ, food, and drinks.
2026 ONLINE PROGRAM – MAY 17
MiamiBookFair.com + Streaming on Facebook through the pages of Miami Book Fair and Sosyete Koukouy of Miami.
11 a.m. Panel – Cross Currents: Haiti, Jamaica & the Caribbean Imagination, with Edwidge Danticat (Watch Out for Falling Iguanas), Fabienne Josaphat (Kingdom of No Tomorrow: A Novel), Diana McCaulay (A House for Miss Pauline: A Novel), and Dwight Thompson (My Own Dear People). This conversation explores literary dialogue across the Caribbean, examining identity, migration, and belonging through fiction and storytelling. Moderated by journalist Fabian Lyon. In English.
12 p.m. Panel – Haitian Health: Mind, Body & Community, with Dr. Judite Blanc, Dr. Jean-Baptiste Charlot, and Dr. Angelo Gousse. A discussion on mental wellness, physical health, and the cultural factors shaping healing and resilience in Haitian communities. Moderated by Carel Pedre, host of Chokarella. In English.
1 p.m. Panel – Vodou in the Diaspora: Keeping the Spirit Alive, with Carole Demesmin and Dr. Jerry M. Gilles. Moderated by Carel Pedre, host of Chokarella. A reflection on Vodou as a living cultural and spiritual tradition sustaining Haitian identity across generations and borders. In English and Haitian Creole.
2 p.m. Panel – Across Waters, Across Generations: Caribbean Becoming, with Edwidge Danticat (Watch Out for Falling Iguanas), Ryan Bachoo (An Unending Search), and Dwight Thompson (My Own Dear People). This panel explores how Caribbean identity evolves across time, geography, and generations through literature. Moderated by journalist Anjanette Delgado. In English.
3 p.m. Panel – Reclaiming History: Power, Resistance & Cultural Memory, with Marlene Daut (The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe), Julia Gaffield (I Have Avenged America: Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Haiti’s Fight for Freedom), and Olive Senior (Paradise Once: A Novel). A conversation on revolutionary history, cultural memory, and the voices that reshape how Haiti’s past is understood. Moderated by Chantalle F. Verna, associate professor of politics and international relations at Florida International University and author of Haiti and the Uses of America: Post U.S.-Occupation Promises. In English.
4 p.m. Panel – Roots & Reckonings: Family, Memory & Caribbean Identity, with Camille U. Adams (How to Be Unmothered), Geoffrey Philp (Unstoppable You: 50 Quotes from Marcus Garvey to Inspire Greatness), and Monique Clesca (Silence and Resistance: Memoir of a Girlhood in Haiti). Writers reflect on family, trauma, survival, and the shaping of Caribbean identity through memoir. Moderated by Chantalle F. Verna, associate professor of politics and international relations at Florida International University and author of Haiti and the Uses of America: Post U.S.-Occupation Promises. In English.
5 p.m. Panel – Haiti’s Historical Contributions in the Making of America & the World, a discussion highlighting the role Haitians have played in shaping the United States and global movements for freedom – from the Battle of Savannah to Haiti’s influence on independence movements across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. In Haitian Creole with English interpretation.
6 p.m. Panel – Pawòl Granmoun: The Wisdom of Haitian Proverbs. Historians and cultural experts explore the rich tradition of Haitian proverbs and how they transmit collective wisdom across generations, shaping conversations about love, work, politics, and survival in everyday life. In Haitian Creole with English interpretatio
Please see the links below for full details, eligibility requirements, and submission forms.
Exhibitor and food vendor applications are now open for the Little Haiti Book Festival. Authors, publishers, artists, community organizations, and food vendors are invited to apply to participate in this year’s celebration of culture, literature, and community. Applications will be accepted through April 15, 2026.
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Little Haiti Book Festival, formerly known as the Haitian-Caribbean Book Festival, has been presented in part by Sosyete Koukouy of Miami Inc. for the past 11 years. The organization now partners with Miami Dade College’s Miami Book Fair, widely considered the best book festival in the country, to produce LHBF.
LHBF relies on the generous support of our Prestige Patrons: the Green Family Foundation, the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at FIU, Miami-Dade County, and Libreri Mapou bookstore.
We are also deeply grateful for the contributions of our Literary Luminaries: the City of Miami and Little Haiti Cultural Complex, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the Board of County Commissioners, District 2 Commissioner Marleine Bastien, District 3 Commissioner Keon Hardemon, District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins, the Little Haiti Revitalization Trust, Miami-Dade County’s Goodwill Ambassadors, the Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD), City of Miami Chairwoman and District 5 Commissioner Christine King, and City of North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme.
Our Community Champions include: The Children’s Trust | Books for Free, The Children’s Trust | Book Club, Family Action Network Movement (FANM), SANT LA (Haitian Neighborhood Center), KLOTA, MOAD | Museum of Art and Design at MDC, Iris PhotoCollective, and Logan Masterworks.
We are proud to be supported by our Generous Guardians: Gousse Urology, Center for Haitian Studies, Columbus Clinical Services, LLC, Center for Self-Sufficiency, Alliance for Aging, You Are Not Alone, eXp Realty – Anglade Consulting, Midgard Group | Lakou, Little Haiti Village, Elio’s Kitchen, Chalè Lakay, and Ellaneese Love for Papa Michel Adolphe Gabriel Bienaime.
Our Media Partners help extend our reach and impact: L’Union Suite, Chokarella, Haitian Ladies Network, Pikliz.com, Imaginart, M.I.A. Media Group, Island TV, Ayiti TV, WLRN | Radyo Lekòl, WSRF, Radio Mega, Radio FANM, Radio Veye Yo, Haiti en Marche, Le Floridien, The Haitian Times, and BPX TV Reseau
Sosyete Koukouy of Miami — Established in 1985, Sosyete Koukouy of Miami, Inc. (pronounced Sos-ye-teh Koo-Kouy) is dedicated to preserving Haitian culture in the United States through education and arts and cultural presentations. Its mission is to preserve, perpetuate, and present Haitian cultural performances and exhibitions to Creole and non-Creole speaking audiences.
In support of that mission, Sosyete Koukouy presents and produces cultural programs that increase awareness of Haitian people, their language, rituals and traditions, and their deep roots in the African continent. It also produces programs that foster greater understanding between Haitian people and people of other diverse ethnicities, cultures, and heritage, and fosters respect for the arts and artists of Haiti, Africa, and the Caribbean by raising awareness of their historical and artistic contributions to the national and international cultural landscape. Contact: Jan Mapou, 305-757-9922.
Upcoming Little Haiti Book Festival events
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