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    Weekly community event highlighting Haitian culture celebrates 15th anniversary

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    Fred Lhérisson Jr.’s parents are natives of Haiti, with his father being from the city of Jacmel and his mother being from Port-au-Prince. Though he only spent a few years of his childhood in Haiti, the memories he carries with him today are all fond ones. “I still remember the feeling of the sun hitting my skin and instantly putting a smile on my face," he said. "The best mangoes in the world right at my fingertips. I’d eat one after another, juice dripping down my hands without a care. The sounds of roosters in the morning, the soft island breeze, fresh coconut juice, sugar cane, and enjoying Haitian spaghetti for breakfast — those simple, vivid moments are always with me." Much of who Lhérisson Jr., also known as Freddy Boom-Boom, is today is rooted in his relationship with his paternal grandmother, whom he called Memère. This was one of the most formative relationships in his life. To him, she didn’t just look after him, but she truly saw him for who he was, and she was the kindest and most compassionate person he’s ever known.  He sees his father, Fred Lhérisson Sr., better known as Frédo, as the greatest influence on the path he’s chosen today because his love and adoration for his native country, Haiti, was unmatched.  “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 believed deeply in what we could achieve when we worked as a unit and put our minds together. Witnessing that pride in him made me want to share and celebrate the richness of our culture with the world,” he shared.  In 2010, Lhérisson Jr. was working as an account executive for Sprint Corporation, a Fortune 500 company with offices in Midtown Manhattan’s Diamond District. As a sales executive there, he had to build trust with his clients. He often wanted to give his clients a taste of Haiti, and show them a place where he could feel proud to share his culture.  Since he couldn’t find a place in Manhattan that offered that experience during the workweek, he decided to establish his own. Kompa Tuesdays is a weekly community event held at The DL Rooftop Club and Bar, located at 95 Delancey Street, that celebrates the beauty, richness, and resilience of Haitian culture. According to Lhérisson Jr., the goals for Kompa Tuesdays (KT) to grow as a community space center on three key areas to engage more consistently and intentionally: philanthropy, education, and connection. “These three pillars will guide both our short-term steps and our longer-term vision for what Kompa Tuesdays can become: a space that not only celebrates Haitian culture, but actively invests in, educates, and connects the community it serves,” he added. “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, and to finally have a place where I could proudly bring people into that experience,” he explained. According to Lhérisson Jr., the goals for Kompa Tuesdays (KT) to grow as a community space center on three key areas to engage more consistently and intentionally: philanthropy, education, and connection.  “These three pillars will guide both our short-term steps and our longer-term vision for what Kompa Tuesdays can become: a space that not only celebrates Haitian culture, but actively invests in, educates, and connects the community it serves,” he added. The preparation for weekly gatherings often goes like this: First, he connects with his team to make sure staff are scheduled to work, and fully ready to receive guests. Next, they check the weather and communicate it clearly to the community. Then, because marketing is a steady part of the rhythm, they stay active on social media, sharing photos and moments from the previous Tuesdays, and keeping the energy visible so people know it’s happening and are excited. Last, they check-in with the venue, ensure the bar has everything necessary, and confirm RSVPs for birthdays, other celebrations, bottle service, and dinner reservations.  Running KT has changed over 15 years as Lhérisson Jr. has built a team to grow and sustain it. “What once rested heavily on a few shoulders is now shared, and that shift has allowed us to accomplish so much more in every area: operations, marketing, guest experience, consistency, and growth," he said. "Having dedicated people in place has brought structure, reliability, and fresh energy to the weekly process.”  Two huge events that happened in Haiti were the earthquake in 2010 and the recent expiration of Temporary Protective Status. Lhérisson Jr. shared that KT has helped the Haitian community stay resilient through hardships like these by creating a consistent, joyful space where people can gather, celebrate culture, and simply be together.  In addition, he said, “Our team is deeply engaged in the broader Haitian community, and we use the gatherings to amplify important messages and keep people connected. Having a place that centers our music, food, language, and pride becomes a quiet but powerful form of resistance and care,” and added that simply showing up every week to honor Haitian culture helps people feel less isolated. Additionally, two of the DJs that have built their supporter bases and grown their presence through KT’s weekly gatherings are its current resident DJs: DJ Teddy Gramz and DJ Exotic. According to Lhérisson Jr., they are both true masters of their craft, who bring extensive experience, deep knowledge of the music, and a high level of professionalism that helps set the tone for the entire night. He feels like sustaining a weekly gathering for 15 years is something rare and more meaningful, which is why he’s most proud of showing up consistently, week after week. This milestone was made even more special this year when KT received a formal Mayoral Recognition from the Mayor’s Office and was featured in the Daily News. Lhérisson Jr. believes those moments of public acknowledgment affirmed the impact he and his team have built over the years. He said it is much harder it is to attract, impress, and retain an audience. Something that has personally helped him with this over the years is remaining coachable and consistently giving more than he gets. He believes this mindset has allowed KT to keep evolving with the times instead of being left behind by them. “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. Stay grounded, stay resourceful, and keep showing up. The work rewards those who remain consistent and open to learning.”  In the next five years, the plan is to expand KT into other major cities across the country, with Miami being the first. To stay updated on KT, visit its website: https://kompatuesdays.com/. 
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