Président Charles Rivière-Hérard was declared President of Haiti on 4 April 1843. General Jean-Jacques Acaau, they formed what became known as “L’Armée Souffrante”. In April of that year, they met and defeated a government army, although soon after this, their advance on the Haitian capital was checked at the town of Aquin. While General Acaau was marching against Port-au-Prince in the south, an armed revolt had begun in the North, fueled by Hérard’s opponents in the government. Faced with this crisis, Hérard relinquished the Presidency on 3 May 1844. He was replaced by Président Philippe Guerrier.
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Le président Charles Rivière-Hérard est proclamé président d’Haïti le 4 avril 1843. Général Jean-Jacques Acaau, ils forment ce que l’on appelle désormais “L’Armée Souffrante”. En avril de la même année, ils ont rencontré et battu une armée gouvernementale, mais peu après, leur avance sur la capitale haïtienne a été contrôlée dans la ville d’Aquin. Alors que le général Acaau marchait contre Port-au-Prince dans le sud, une révolte armée avait commencé dans le nord, alimentée par les opposants au gouvernement de Hérard. Face à cette crise, Hérard quitte la présidence le 3 mai 1844. Il est remplacé par le président Philippe Guerrier.
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Prezidan Charles Rivière-Hérard se pwoklame Prezidan an Ayiti 4 avril 1843. Jeneral Jean-Jacques Acaau, yo fòme sa ki kounye a yo rele “lame a Souffrante”. Nan mwa avril menm ane an, yo te rankontre ak bat lame gouvènman an, men yon ti tan apre, avanse sou kapital ayisyen an te kontwole nan vil Aquinas. Pandan ke Jeneral Acaau te mache kont Pòtoprens nan sid la, te gen yon revòlt ame kòmanse nan nò a, alimenté pa opozan nan gouvènman an Hérard. Devan kriz sa a, Hérard te kite prezidans la 3 me 1844. Prezidan Philippe Guerrier te ranplase li.
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Source:
1) Wikipedia 2)Digital Library of the Caribbean –
#haiti #hayti #ayiti #istwa1804 #istwa #1804 #presidentherard #charlesrivireherard #acaau #piquets #haitians #ayisyen #hispaniola #saintdomingue

Joseph Antoine Tancrede Augustus, was born on March 16, 1856 in Cap-Haïtien, he was president of the Republic of Haiti August 9, 1912 to his death. His presidency, which lasted only 8 months, began in crisis, his predecessor who had just died in the explosion of his palace caused by his political opponents. President Auguste then ordered the reconstruction of the National Palace and established a secret police to thwart conspiracies against the government. Sick, he died during his term on May 2, 1913 in Port-au-Prince.
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Joseph Antoine Tancrède Auguste, vit le jour le 16 mars 1856 à Cap-Haïtien, il fut président de la République d’Haïti le 9 août 1912 à sa mort. Sa présidence, qui ne dura que 8 mois, débuta dans la crise, son prédécesseur venant de mourir dans l’explosion de son palais causée par ses opposants politiques. Le Président Auguste commande alors la reconstruction du Palais national et instaure une police secrète chargée de déjouer les complots contre le gouvernement. Malade, il meurt durant son mandat, le 2 mai 1913 à Port-au-Prince.
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Joseph Antoine Tancrede Augustus, ki te fèt 16 Mas, 1856 nan Cap Haïtien, li te prezidan Repiblik Ayiti, 9 out 1912 a pou jis lanmò li. Prezidans li, ki te dire sèlman 8 mwa, te kòmanse nan yon kriz, predesesè li te fèk mouri nan eksplozyon an nan palè l ‘ki te koze pa opozan politik li yo. Prezidan Auguste te bay lòd pou rekonstriksyon Palè Nasyonal la epi li te etabli yon polis sekrè pou konspirasyon kont gouvènman an. Malad, li te mouri pandan tèm li, Pòtoprens, 2 me 1913.
Source: wikipedia
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#haiti #hayti #ayiti #istwa1804 #1804 #haitian #haitians #history #auguste #caphaitien #palais #national #portauprince #histoire #politics #president #presidents

On 23 April 1876, he replaced Michel Domingue as the first president of the provisional government, before becoming President of Haiti non-provisionally on 17 July 1876. During Boisrond-Canal’s administration, tensions in domestic politics and foreign affairs grew, particularly because of the differences between liberal and nationalist parties in Parliament. Following a stormy debate in the House of Representatives on 30 June 1879, there were riots in Port-au-Prince in which the Liberal leader Jean-Pierre Boyer-Bazelais played a significant role. Although the government managed to restore law and order, Boisrond-Canal resigned as president on 17 July 1879. After his resignation, Boisrond-Canal left again in exile in Jamaica.
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Le 23 avril 1876, il remplace Michel Domingue en tant que premier président du gouvernement provisoire, avant de devenir président d’Haïti officiellement le 17 juillet 1876. Sous son gouvernement, les tensions sur la politique intérieure et les affaires étrangères s’accentuent, en raison notamment des différences entre les partis libéraux et les partis nationalistes au Parlement. Suite à un débat houleux à la Chambre des représentants le 30 juin 1879, il y eut des émeutes à Port-au-Prince dans lesquelles le chef libéral Jean-Pierre Boyer-Bazelais avait joué un rôle important. Bien que l’ordre fût rétabli, Boisrond-Canal démissionna le 17 juillet 1879 et il s’exila à nouveau en Jamaïque.
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23 Avril 1876, li ranplase Michel Domingue kòm prezidan gouvènman pwovizwa a, anvan li vin prezidan 17 Jiyè, 1876. Sou gouvènman li a, te gen anpil tansyon politik domestik ak entenasyonal … Patikilyèman pou tèt diferans ki te genyen ant pati liberal ak pati nasyonalis yo nan palman an. Apre yon deba ki te gen nan Chanm Reprezantan an nan 30 jen, 1879, te gen revòlt nan Pòtoprens ak lidè liberal Jean-Pierre Boyer-Bazelais te jwe yon wòl enpòtan. Malgre gouvènman an te reyisi nan restore lòd piblik, Boisrond-Kanal demisyone 17 Jiyè, 1879. Apre demisyon li, li pati an ekzil nan Jamyik ankò.
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#istwa1804 #istwa #1804 #presidentofhaiti #boisroncanal #haitians #haiti #hayti #ayiti

Oswald Durand was born in Cap-Haitian on September 17, 1840, he was a poet and a politician. He was a writer of French and Creole expression, considered as the national poet of Haiti. In 1842 an earthquake devastated the city, which made him an orphan when he was nearly two years old. Oswald Durand and her sister were raised by their maternal grandmother. His most famous works are Choucoune, a lyrical poem praising the beauty of a Haitian woman, and Chant National, a lyrical historic poem which became as popular as the presidential hymn. He died on April 22, 1906. More facts to come, stay tuned!
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Oswald Durand est né au Cap-Haïtien le 17 septembre 1840. Il était un poète, un homme politique et un écrivain d’expression française et créole, considéré comme le poète national d’Haïti. En 1842, un tremblement de terre a dévasté la ville, ce qui a fait de lui un orphelin alors qu’il avait presque deux ans. Oswald Durand et sa soeur ont été élevés par leur grand-mère maternelle. Ses œuvres les plus célèbres sont “Choucoune”, un poème lyrique vantant la beauté d’une femme haïtienne, et “Chant National”, un poème historique lyrique devenu aussi populaire que l’hymne présidentiel. Il est mort le 22 avril 1906. Plus de faits à venir, suivez-nous et activez vos alertes!
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Oswald Durand te fèt Okap, 17 septanm 1840, li te yon powèt ak yon politisyen. Li te yon ekriven ki te eksprime li an franse ak kreyòl, konsidere kòm powèt nasyonal Ayiti. Nan 1842 yon tranbleman tè devaste vil la, ki te fè li vinn yon òfelen lè li te prèske gen 2 lane de ane. Oswald Durand ak sè li te leve nan men grann matènèl yo. Pwojè ki pi popilè li yo se Choucoune, yon powèm lirik ki louwanje bote yon fanm ayisyen, ak Chant Nasyonal, yon powèm lirik istorik ki te vin popilè tankou kantik prezidansyèl la. Li te mouri 22 avril, 1906. Swiv nou pou lòt enfamasyon nap ba nou!
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#2)Choucoune by/par Celia Cruz
#3)Choucoune par Issa El Saieh
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#istwa1804 #istwa #1804 #ayiti #haiti #hayti #oswalddurand #durand #haitians #okap #caphaitien #caphaitian #haitiens #choucoune #chantnational #poets #poetes #artiste #haitianartist #atis #orphans #francais #french #creole #kreyol #talent #issaelsaieh #celiacru

One of the victims of the Titanic, Joseph Lemercier Laroche was a haitian engineer who was on this ship! and died on the RMS Titanic on April 15th, 1912. His family survived. He was the nephew of one of the president of Haiti…
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Une des victimes de la tragédie du Titanic, Joseph Lemercier Laroche, était un ingénieur haïtien qui était à bord de ce bateau et qui y perdit la vie le 15 Avril 1912. Sa femme et ses enfants survécurent… Il était le neveu d’un des anciens président d’Haïti…
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Youn nan viktim trajedi Titanic la, Joseph Lemercier Laroche te yon enjenyè ayisyen ki te fè pati de moun sou bato sa a! Li te mouri 15 Avril 1912. Madanm li ak pitit li te suviv. Tonton li se te youn nan ansyen prezidan peyi Ayiti…
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#haiti #hayti #ayiti #istwa1804 #1804 #josephlaroche #titanic #tragedie #naufrage #rmstitanic #haitians #france #engineering #beauvais #drowning #didyouknow #facts #ocean #family

The Haitian community in the state of Minnesota is vibrant and growing. One of the leaders in that community is Haiti-born Beaudelaine Pierre, an active key member of Haitians InCommon, an organization that brings together students and professionals of Haitian descent.

Tell us about yourself.
My father and mother are retired school teachers; they have devoted their life to serving their community in St Michel ; I would see my father riding his horses from places to places to bring education to people. He was at that time, what we call today, a community organizer. Because of that, the first years of my life are so significant for me and shaped the woman I am today. I am myself a community organizer. I believe in the ability of people to control their own lives and love working with them on personal, cultural and community issues.

Over the last 10 years, I have focused my career on promoting gender equality in different projects I have been involved in in Haiti, as well as in Minnesota with the objectives of promoting the roles of women and girls for the creation of vibrant community. These last four years, I was able to expand my work and, as community organizer, to accompany groups, organizations, women and men to be the artisan of their own destiny. Last year, I served as program director of the Refugee and Immigrant Women for Change Coalition, a multi-ethnic coalition of seven nonprofit members, addressing systemic issues facing all refugee and immigrant women and girls in the Twin Cities; I am now working at the Women’s Initiative for self-Empowerment where, I have been hired to design a women’s program for immigrant women. One thing I am also very passionate about is books. I particularly enjoy discovering new writers who are able to use descriptions to open doors to other worlds. At a personal level, I do creative writing as a way to listen to my inner voice, and to connect with the universal nature of life. Caribbean writers hold particular interest.

How did you end up in Minnesota?
I entered at the University of Minnesota in 2009, as a Humphrey Fellow from the Humphrey Fellowship program, a program of the State Department for leaders and emerging leaders of developing countries; My two kids were visiting me a couple of days before the earthquake happened in Haiti. Due to the situation in Haiti, we have made the choice to stay temporarily in Minnesota.

Haitians InCommon brings Haitians and Haitian-Americans together in Minnesota.
The Haitians Incommon project is a program of the National Haitian Institute of Leadership, initiated by a group of Haitians living in the United States. The mission of the Institute is to accompany long-term progress in Haiti by bringing together Haitian government and its citizens in courageous dialogues and meaningful partnerships to solve community problems. This project started in 2010, when I began working with a small group of Haitians to establish a network of community leaders to support Haiti’s effort in the political, social and economic sectors. At that time the focus was in the Haitian government, with the idea to equip local leaders with skills and knowledge to manage and direct changes in their community. Three years later, that focus has not changed. We believe that good governance is a fundamental requirement for reducing poverty and achieving sustainable human development. And good governance is supported by the involvement and the commitment of various sectors of a nation. The Haitians Incommon bring to Haitians communities tools, principles and methodologies that allow people to have true conversation and build real collaboration. Our approach is based on the use of the Art of Hosting principles and methodologies focused on integrated participative change processes, methods, maps, and planning tools to engage groups and teams in meaningful conversation, and group-supported action for the common good.

We’ve started this work with the Haitian community in Minnesota. Like in many other immigrant communities, the Haitian community in Minnesota faces serious issues of conflicts. They are working alone and are disconnected from one another. The institutes have led several conversations among community members, and it is amazing to see true collaboration happening right now in the community. The thing is we all have wisdom and knowledge; no matter where we come from, we are all gifted; now it’s about how we allow co-creation, how do we open doors so people can feel they are part of the solution. When we call community member to be part of something they care about, true collaboration happen.

Do you ever think about returning to live in Haiti?
Of course, yes. The ultimate goal of the institute is to see how this model can work in Haiti; the results are very positive in Minnesota; we are trying to bring our expertise in different diaspora communities, as well as in Haiti, in a near future. Development, or progress, is about people, first. And talking about people relates to relationship, trust, and how we create spaces that allow everyone to feel part of the process. The things is, the world is facing great challenges today; no one can pretend have the solution. It has to be a collective effort.

Is the Haitian community in Minnesota pretty big?
The good thing about starting this work in Minnesota is that the community is very small, compare to diaspora in Florida or New York. It was important for us to start this project at very small level and create ways to expend it on a large scale. The Haitian community in Minnesota holds an approximate of 5,000 members.

What are some of the activities that the club is undertaking?
The institute organizes forums and conversations to bring people and community leaders together. We are now planning to integrate Haitian leaders in the US Midwest—Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, etc—into this work. We conduct training on art of hosting methodologies and principles, like Circle, World Café, Open Space Technology, Appreciative Inquiry. We also conduct trainings on organizational leadership, program evaluation, and Community Building for other immigrant communities.

What have you noted about the Haitians living in Minnesota?
It is an extremely rich community, with very skilled and talented people. I am very grateful to be part of this community and to learn every day from the members.

Be sure to keep connected with the Haitian community in Minnesota, by visiting the Haitians InCommon page HERE.

[Beaudelaine Pierre photo credit: Twin Cities Daily]

Life coach and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) Jameson Mercier of Mercier Wellness—known as The Haitian Therapist—counsels clients on everything from marital problems to relationship issues to matters related to sexual abuse. Mercier’s job as a therapist is probably two-folds more challenging than that of other professionals in his field, as the majority of his clients are from a community where some often refuse to acknowledge the need to seek professional help.

Presently working on a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University (he holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Barry University), Mercier is a sought-after mental health professional in South Florida. Social work and family organizations look to him for his insights into Haitian and Caribbean culture, and clients love to talk to him because he’s able to understand them from an expert’s point of view as well as from a cultural perspective. Mercier hosts a show with his wife Herdyne called “The Power Couple” on Hot 105, a radio station based in Miami. The Miami Herald honored him as “Best in Social Work” in 2011.

How did you get interested in therapy and counseling?

I have always been interested in talking to people and learning about relationships and families. However, there were two key moments that solidified it for me. The first was the passing of my father. I was nine years old at the time and I remember struggling to understand was all this meant. No one was talking to the kids about death and the emotions and no one in my family received any sort of grief counseling. That whole ordeal stuck with me and I remember thinking that people need help with this stuff.

The second thing was working with families in the child welfare system. When I first started as a social worker, I helped families be reunified with their children. It just seemed odd to me that there weren’t any interventions until after something terrible happened. It was then I decided to work with families to help them resolve the stressors that lead to the child abuse and domestic violence.

I’ve read all sorts of commentaries as to why people won’t seek professional help…especially people of color. And about how it has to do with how they are perceived by society….

There are a number of reasons people do not seek professional help. Many people feel they can handle it on their own. Others don’t want people to know they have problems. There are individuals who think therapy is for the weak. For people of color, unless there is something tangible (housing, food, etc.) counseling is a last resort, usually at the urging of the authorities.

Within the Haitian culture, the prevailing idea is that only crazy people need counseling; and even then, the most common intervention within the Haitian community is the church or prayer. So all these things combined make it so that people of color don’t seek professional help. I think a lot of people think that their problems can be taken care of in-house. But how can a person tell whether taking care of things in-house won’t do…To be fair, there are some things that can be resolved in-house, but you must have the tools and skills. If you are stressed or overwhelmed, depending on the severity you may not need to see a professional. It may be crunch time at work due to the launch of a new project. Once the project is over, things go back to normal.

The key thing people should look out for is when there is an impairment to their functioning. This means you can’t sleep or eat. For example, if your alcohol consumption used to be limited to when you were out with friends, but now you need a drink to even get started, its time to call a professional to get to figure out the cause and receive treatment.

In regards to sexual abuse, what do you think the consensus is in the Haitian and other Caribbean communities?

Sexual abuse occurs much more often in the Haitian and other Caribbean communities than most people realize. Within those communities, it is something that is seriously underreported. Similar to sexual abuse in America, the perpetrators are usually family members or someone close to the family. The victims are scared, confused, and don’t want to talk about it. Furthermore, they wouldn’t even know who to talk to. In some instances, the victims don’t realize that what happened to them is abuse until years later.

In immigrant communities where the victims are undocumented, or may not speak the language, they feel they have no options. However, as more information gets out in the community about available resources, there is a shift and things are improving.

What’s been your experience in regards to treating those in the Haitian community about depression and mental health?

In the Haitian community, it is as if there’s no such thing as depression. What you often hear are: Mwen pa pi mal—I’m not any worse. And—N’ap brase—We are hustling/struggling—and Pito nou lèd, nou la—better to be ugly and alive.These are all indicative of a community that is experiencing or has experienced a lot of hardships. My experience of the Haitian community is that they are accustomed to neglecting themselves in exchange for survival and providing for their children and families. You hear the word resilient a lot whenever you talk about Haitians. Haitians in general pride themselves on overcoming obstacles and relying on their faith.

My experience is limited when it comes to treating depression in the Haitian community. I don’t see a lot of Haitians in my office for depression. They don’t stop to find out why they are angry or sad. To consider, even for a moment, that their mental/emotional health my be in jeopardy means that they might be crazy, and that can’t happen.

How important is communication in therapy?

Communication is the lifeline of therapy. During therapy, a lot of talking takes place. It doesn’t have to be pretty, but it is necessary in order to figure out the problems and issues that people are having. Clients sometimes start out reserved and don’t say much, but eventually they open up. Other clients are less than honest, but that’s fine with me because it is relevant information. It says that there is more going on. When I see couples that are having relationship difficulties, the first thing I do is get them talking about the problem. If we talk about them, then we can resolve them.

Would you say that relationship issues…divorces and stuff are a big problem?

This is a difficult question. My simple answer is yes and no. The issues you find in relationships are not big problems. The problem is all the stuff we carry with us into the relationship. Relationships can be difficult. In a marriage where there are children to tend to, finances to manage on a limited income, and sick parents to look after, it gets really difficult. However, not everyone has problems with those challenges. It is only when there are unresolved issues around money, parenting, etc., that things get complicated.

And there’s another big one. Domestic violence…

Let me first say that while the majority of victims of domestic violence are women, men are abused also. Domestic violence is a big problem. Recent statistics show that 1 out of 3 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Some feel it’s okay because they have an unhealthy sense of what relationships should be like. I recently did a show with Rick Party on HOT 105 with some survivors of domestic violence and they echoed what some the research says.

There are some women who become victims and remain in the relationship because they are seeking to fill a void like love and self-worth. Some victims witnessed their parents in abusive relationship and think that it’s “normal” to be hit by your partner. I’ve heard women and men say that if you’re husband or wife isn’t jealous, then he doesn’t love you. “He beats me because he’s crazy about me”. For other women, it’s because of financial reasons. They have children and feel they are stuck and have nowhere to go.

As far as the abusers go, often times they are just as lost and broken as the victims. They too may have come from dysfunctional and broken homes. They are angry and don’t know how to deal with their anger other than taking it out on someone else. What people need to know is that domestic violence is not okay. Love don’t hurt.

Do you think part of the reason why some won’t seek help, is because they figure that problems are a part of life…that it’s cowards and weaklings who can’t take care of their own problems.

For some people, that’s part of the reason. Depending where you’re from or how you grew up, there is some shame associated with seeking help. For others, seeking help is admitting and accepting that you are a failure and that you’re weak. That is absolutely the wrong way to think about it. It’s no different from seeing a doctor for a check up or a procedure. It’s about keeping you healthy. Some problems we can handle on our own, but then there are those that require professional help.

If you know someone who could use The Haitian Therapist’s services, be sure to refer them to Mercier Wellness, and help them help themselves.

| Click to Visit the Mercier Wellness website |

A group of Haitian-Americans were aware that Houston and several major cities in Texas were growing more and more attractive to Haitian-Americans. They, which includes co-founder James Pierre, decided to launch an organization to help keep Haitian culture and traditions alive. Houston Haitians United have mixers, cultural nights and other culture-driven events. They’ve even taken part in relief drives to help members of the Haitian-American community (and others) affected by Hurricane Harvey. The organization even sent a representative for Haiti at the Houston Caribbean Queen Pageant.

In Part I of our interview, we discussed the beginnings of the organization. In this last installment of the interview, Pierre shares his vision for HHU (as the organization is fondly called), and his perspective of Haitian-American population growth in the State of Texas.

Kreyolicious: Besides the popular cities like Houston, Dallas, Fort-Worth, Plano, Desoto, where in Texas do you anticipate a Haitian-American population increase?
The aforementioned Killeen Texas has grown exponentially, there are a lot of active military that relocate there and bring their families to Fort Hood which is the nearby military base. There is now a Haitian Restaurant in Killeen as of this year.

Kreyolicious: Do most Haitian-Americans who are in Houston go back to their state of origin after a while, or are they pretty much permanent in Texas?
It varies I’ve been here fourteen years and I’ve seen folks come and go, and this was before the restaurants, Kompa promoters and the conception of HHU as a hub for all things Haitian in Houston. Before that most people would get homesick and move back before interacting with the community. More than often people stay because of Houston’s of jobs, economic stability, and very affordable cost of living.

Above: Houston Haitians United sent these beauties to represent Haiti at the Houston Caribbean Queen Pageant this past summer!

Kreyolicious: Where does HHU see itself as an organization five years from now?
Houston Haitians United: Our plans for HHU are to continue to promote and uplift Haitians and our culture by creating and providing resources for the well-being and advancement of Haitians in Houston and everywhere our organization can reach. We want to continue to highlight Haitian culture and provide an avenue to which local Haitians, Haitian Businesses and Haitian organizations can network. We’re hoping that the buzz and locality of this organization will help a lot of relocating Haitians feel at home here in Houston, as well as be the driving force to help those Haitians who have been here for a while.

This concludes PART II of the interview with the co-founder of Houston Haitians United. CLICK HERE to visit the organization’s website| Houston Haitians United on Instagram |

The founders of Houston Haitians United may emphasize the name Houston in their organization’s name, but it isn’t just the Haitian-American population in Houston that they seek to unite, but all the residents of Haitian descent in the State of Texas. When Hurricane Harvey devastated Houston, Houston Haitians United members and volunteered rallied to help, and held several drives to help those affected.

James Pierre, one of the co-founders of the organization gave details on what inspired it, and what the plans are for its expansion.

Kreyolicious: What’s the Haitian-American community in Houston like…in Texas in general like?
Houston, Texas is the most populous city in the state of Texas and the fourth-most populous city in the United States. With that being said the Haitian community is growing at a rapid rate. Earliest Haitian citizens of the Houston community have been here since the 1970’s. There is an roughly estimated amount of between 40,000 – 70,000 Haitians or people of Haitian descent in the Houston metropolitan area. The cities of San Antonio, Austin, Killeen and Dallas also have growing Haitian Communities, with indicators such as Churches, Restaurants etc.

Kreyolicious: How did Houston Haitians United get off the ground?
Houston Haitians United: In the Fall of 2015, three gentlemen by the names of Sledge Leonidas, Jean Michel Celestin, and James Pierre came together to organize and establish proper representation for the rapidly growing Haitian community in Houston, Texas. These gentlemen recognized the ever growing gap amongst people of Haitian descent, elder Haitians, young Haitians, the Haitian churches, and the distance between fellow Caribbean islands here in the city. The musical duo LaFamille Royal, which consists of two HHU founders Sledge and Michel, had been hosting Haitian Flag Day events as well as other social events geared towards the celebration of Haitian culture. To them that was not enough, they desired a greater unified voice and representation. Simultaneously, James, had aspirations of establishing Young Adult Haitians United for professionals working in the city. A first meeting was set at the then Caribbean Fingers, a Haitian American restaurant in Katy, Texas. The turnout was exceptional and a series of other planned meetings took place so that everyone could voice their opinions and concerns on the current state of our community. There was such great a sense of pride and togetherness that it became the fuel needed to uniting together and doing something great for our people. In every movement, timing is everything! On September 14, at the office of HHU Legal Counsel Mac-Pierre Louis, Houston Haitians United was named and formed. Houston Haitians United was created out of the strong desire to unify all Haitians in the greater Houston area and keeping strong ties to our beloved island of Haiti! So, with all the Father’s blessings, our journey to fulfilling our mission statement has begun!

Above: Houston Haitians United members gathering relief supplies for Houston residents affected by Hurricane Harvey earlier this Fall.

Kreyolicious: What advice would you give to those who’d like to move to Houston?
Many people who relocate to Houston have reservations about moving and surviving without their Haitian culture in a place that’s foreign to them. I can proudly say that the community here has a lot of momentum and is growing rapidly. So, Houston is definitely somewhere you can relocate to and feel at home. There are five Haitian churches and two Haitian restaurants. Furthermore, promoters bring Haitian bands at least twice a year.

This concludes PART I of the interview with Houston Haitians United. Watch out for PART II. Meanwhile…you know the drill—

CLICK HERE to visit the Houston Haitians United website!| Houston Haitians United on Instagram |