About this picture: Manno Sannon "Manno" Little Haiti
Miami Cultural Tours.
Brown has done more for Little Haiti than write a book.
He is the founder of Lumana Global Corporation, a company that supports community development.
One of its programs, The Urban Tour Host, works on the principle of sustainable tourism, offering behind-the-scenes tours of Little Haiti, Little Havana, Overtown and Liberty City.
“I was inspired by a lifelong interest in travel to unique destinations, combined with a career as a teacher, a non-profit specialist and knowing the community, its leaders and pioneers.” As an urban anthropologist, Brown’s investment in and familiarity with these communities has bolstered a tour business with over seven thousand visitors since its inception in 2000.
While leviathan tourism destination Miami Beach overshadows these inner-city neighborhoods, Brown is quick to note that Miami is not all Miami Beach.
His work in sustainable tourism may help revitalize these communities without effacing their historical character.
“When we bring visitors to these communities, we engage locals and businesses.
Visitors contribute to the economy.
They also meet people—it’s informative, interactive and fun.”
Manno Sannon "Manno" Little Haiti
Although Brown has never witnessed any crime since he started operating tours, he wasn’t surprised when I told him that I would never think to visit Little Haiti because of its inner-city reputation: “I’ve even given tours to Haitians.” That astonishing fact reminded me that even as a native, I am often a tourist in my own backyard.
Little Haiti’s pioneers showed me that there are lives out there and stories to be told—all we have to do is be willing to listen.
Manno Sannon "Manno" Little Haiti
In my years as a citizen of Miami, I’ve seen areas evolve with a “here today, gone tomorrow” sense of development.
I often come across the statement that Miami is a cultural wasteland and although I know this stems from ignorance, people simply won’t know any better if what is left of historical Miami continues to be buried under new development.
Cultural preservation and development should be friends, not enemies.
Keeping a rich history alive can only bolster a community, even as that community evolves.
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