Celebration Of Life Event Scheduled For Haitian-American Coral Springs Vice Mayor

Tributes have poured in across the community, with a growing memorial outside City Hall and a peace march held near the Coral Springs Museum of Art. The Florida Panthers also honored her during an April 2 game.

“Vice Mayor Metayer Bowen was a light in the Haitian community and a true champion for immigrants,” said Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance. “Her advocacy was not performative – it was rooted in lived experience, empathy, and an unwavering belief in the dignity of all people. We have lost not only a partner in this work, but a dear friend. Her legacy will continue to inspire us to fight for justice, humanity, and the protection of immigrant communities everywhere.”

“She meant the best for the city,” said Commissioner Joseph McHugh, while Mayor Scott Brook noted the community is seeking solace through unity.

Her family described her as a leader who “led with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering sense of purpose,” adding that her legacy will live on in the lives she touched.

Her death comes months after the loss of her younger brother, deepening the tragedy for a grieving family now calling for privacy and prayers. For many, Metayer Bowen represented progress – proof that Caribbean roots and public leadership can intersect powerfully.