Jan Mapou
Jan Mapou is a pillar of Miami-Dade County’s Haitian arts and culture scene. Born in Les Cayes, Haiti, he co-founded Sosyete Koukouy in 1965, a multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to preserving Haitian traditions. After facing political persecution, he relocated to Miami in 1984 and established the Miami chapter of Sosyete Koukouy in 1985. Under his dedicated leadership, the organization has performed at major venues like the Miami-Dade County Auditorium and played a key role in community initiatives such as the “Discover Miami Program.” Mapou is the owner of Libreri Mapou, the only Haitian bookstore in the nation, located in the heart of Little Haiti. It serves as a cultural center and home to artists of Sosyete Koukouy. A poet, playwright, columnist and radio host, he has received numerous accolades, including Florida’s Folk Life Award. Widely known as the backbone of Haitian culture in the Diaspora, Jan Mapou’s extraordinary cultural leadership has helped define Miami’s arts community.