Kompa Tuesdays marks 15 years of celebrating Haitian culture in Manhattan
Founder Fred Lhérisson Jr says the weekly event has helped the Haitian community stay resilient and now plans to expand to other cities, starting with Miami.
NEW YORK, United States. Kompa Tuesdays, a weekly gathering celebrating Haitian culture in Manhattan, is marking its 15th anniversary.
The event is held at The DL Rooftop Club and Bar at 95 Delancey Street. Its founder, Fred Lhérisson Jr, also known as Freddy Boom-Boom, is the son of Haitian parents from Jacmel and Port-au-Prince.
He credits his father, Fred Lhérisson Sr, known as Frédo, as the greatest influence on his path because of his love for Haiti.
"He understood that Haiti was far from perfect, yet he consistently chose to focus on the positive and on the commendable accomplishments of our people," he said.
How it began
In 2010 Lhérisson was working as an account executive for Sprint Corporation in Midtown Manhattan and wanted to give clients a taste of Haiti. When he could not find a place in Manhattan offering that experience during the working week, he created his own.
"The idea for Kompa Tuesdays was born out of that desire to create a space that celebrated the beauty, richness, and resilience of Haitian culture," he said.
He said the event's growth will now centre on three pillars: philanthropy, education and connection.
A space through hard times
Lhérisson said the gathering has helped the Haitian community stay resilient through hardships such as the 2010 earthquake and the recent expiry of Temporary Protected Status, by creating a consistent and joyful space where people can be together.
"Having a place that centers our music, food, language, and pride becomes a quiet but powerful form of resistance and care," he said.
Running the event has changed over 15 years as he has built a team. "What once rested heavily on a few shoulders is now shared," he said.
The current resident DJs, DJ Teddy Gramz and DJ Exotic, built their followings through the weekly events.
This year Kompa Tuesdays received a formal Mayoral Recognition from the Mayor's Office and was featured in the Daily News, which Lhérisson said affirmed the impact of the team's work.
"It's better to do fewer things exceptionally well than to stretch yourself thin chasing volume," he said. "Make sure your guests truly feel welcome."
Over the next five years, the plan is to expand Kompa Tuesdays to other major US cities, with Miami first.
