Haitian American Attorney Looks To Bring Back Hope Of American Dream To Southeast Queens

By Vania Andre and Soraya Denis QUEENS, NY – Attorney Clyde Vanel is looking to ensure the next generation of New Yorkers is able to live out the American dream like…

Haitian American Sabine French Eyes Southeast Queens Assembly Seat

By Soraya Denis QUEENS, NY – Haitian-American community activist Sabine French is on a quest to fill late Assemblywoman Barbara Clark’s seat. The district includes Hollis, Queens Village, St. Albans,…

Haitian American Josue Pierre Looks To Solidify District Leader Position In Sept. 13 Primary

BROOKLYN, NY – Tomorrow, Haitian American political operative Josue Pierre will look to solidify his title of male district leader for the 42nd Assembly District in the state legislative party…

Haitian Labor Day Fest Returns To Eisenhower Park

By Vania Andre The annual Haitian Labor Day Fest returned to Long Island’s Eisenhower Park on Saturday with a line up boasting virtually every top act in the Haitian Music…

Jimmy Jean-Louis Heads to Toronto For Film Festival

Jimmy Jean-Louis stars in The Empty Box, which will be screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) next month. The film, directed by Mexican filmmaker Claudia Sainte-Luce, features Jean-Louis,…

How I Discovered Haiti Through Rice and Sauce Pois Vert

September 27, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Peter Rajchert

One of my favorite comfort meals is rice with sauce pois vert. I learned about this magnificent dish from the woman who would become my mother-in-law at the Haitian parties that she and my girlfriend Sandra’s father organized in the basement of St. Louis de France Parish in northern Toronto. They raised funds for an orphanage in Haiti through the parties. Local Haitian families would prepare chicken, salads, griot and other dishes in huge quantities and bring them to St. Louis on aluminum trays.

I Am in a Relationship… With Myself

September 25, 2016 • 0 Comments

During moments of boredom, I would reach for my phone to check if I have any unanswered emails, or log onto Facebook. The posts made by friends and acquaintances almost always provide entertainment, insight, and/or intrigue. Babies are being born. People are getting married (or breaking up). Goal setters are achieving while haters are not…

Understand the Value of Money

September 18, 2016 • 1 Comment

By Cindy S. Johnson

What does money mean to you? For some people, they need more of it. Others can’t have enough of it. Those without it equate money with happiness. We all know that there’s more to life than the amount of money in our bank accounts.

Diaspora Leaders and Haitian Counterparts Bluffing Each Other

September 16, 2016 • 2 Comments

By Garry Pierre-Pierre

Last month a delegation of Haitian professionals living outside of Haiti met with Interim-President Jocelerne Privert, and high on the agenda was ways that the Haitian Diaspora could help pay for the upcoming national elections.

Let’s get Voting

September 14, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Cameron Pierre-Pierre

In America, we are taught about how sacred of a right voting is. From the Women’s Rights movement of Susan B. Anthony to the Civil Rights Movement of Martin Luther King Jr., the importance of voting is instilled in us from a young age. It is frankly the best way for us to express ourselves in a political system that is dominated by the wealthy and powerful. With all of that said, there are a few problems with what I will call our “Voting Culture.”

Haitian American Attorney Looks To Bring Back Hope Of American Dream To Southeast Queens

September 12, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Vania Andre and Soraya Denis QUEENS, NY – Attorney Clyde Vanel is looking to ensure the next generation of New Yorkers is able to live out the American dream like he and his family were able to. On Sept. 13, Vanel, who was raised in the middle-class Queens neighborhood of Cambria Heights, will face four…

Haitian American Sabine French Eyes Southeast Queens Assembly Seat

September 12, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Soraya Denis

QUEENS, NY – Haitian-American community activist Sabine French is on a quest to fill late Assemblywoman Barbara Clark’s seat. The district includes Hollis, Queens Village, St. Albans, Cambria Heights and Bellerose.

Haitian American Josue Pierre Looks To Solidify District Leader Position In Sept. 13 Primary

September 12, 2016 • 0 Comments

BROOKLYN, NY – Tomorrow, Haitian American political operative Josue Pierre will look to solidify his title of male district leader for the 42nd Assembly District in the state legislative party primaries.

Haitian Labor Day Fest Returns To Eisenhower Park

September 6, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Vania Andre

The annual Haitian Labor Day Fest returned to Long Island’s Eisenhower Park on Saturday with a line up boasting virtually every top act in the Haitian Music Industry (HMI). After a hiatus last year, festival organizer Urbain Richard, CEO of VenusInt’l Productions (VIP) vowed to bring the annual music showcase back “bigger than ever.”

My Haitian-American Journey Realizing Our Individual Dreams Can Benefit Everyone in our Communities

September 2, 2016 • 4 Comments

By Jacques Jiha, Commissioner, NYC Department of Finance

Born in Haiti, I came to this country when I was 21 years old to further my education. I paid my way through school working as a parking lot attendant, earning a bachelor’s in economics from Fordham University, and then a master’s and Ph.D. at the New School for Social Research.

Jimmy Jean-Louis Heads to Toronto For Film Festival

August 31, 2016 • 0 Comments

U.S. Refusal to Finance Elections, A Blessing In Disguise

August 28, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Ed Gehy Ever since we can remember, the United States has meddled in the affairs of Haiti. The U.S. meddling in Haitian internal affairs dates as far back as the early part of the 20th century, if not before. The most vivid example is its overt support and installment of Sudre Dartiguenave to the…

KREYOLFEST SURVEY – WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS

August 28, 2016 • 0 Comments

2017 KREYOLFEST

Haitian Studies Institute Finds a Home at CUNY’s Brooklyn College

August 26, 2016 • 2 Comments

By M. Skye Holly

BROOKLYN, NY– On Aug. 24, a press conference was held on the courtyard of the Brooklyn College Library to officially recognize the establishment of the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Haitian Studies Institute. The Haitian Studies Institute (HSI) is a CUNY-wide research institute that will be permanently housed at Brooklyn College; it plans on becoming a leading institute on Haitian Studies within New York State and throughout the Haitian Diaspora.

Mikaben Signs To Warner Music France

August 24, 2016 • 0 Comments

Haitian Music Industry (HMI) star Michael “Mikaben” Benjamin signed a licensing and distribution agreement with Warner Music France earlier this month. Warner Music signed him under their Caribbean Pop division, and is entering the international market with the single, “Ti Pam Nan.” Released in Haiti in December 2014, the single, which is a collaboration between Benjamin and recording artist J. Perry, officially launched in Europe on July 29,

San Diego Church Working to Transition Thousands of Haitian Migrants Fleeing Brazil

August 24, 2016 • 0 Comments

Haitian migrants released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

By Gage Norris

SAN DIEGO, CA — Right now, the Haitian Methodist Church of San Diego is overwhelmed.

For the past four months, church members and members of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, a collective of community leaders working to help the Haitian community and recent migrants to the U.S., have been facilitating the arrival of massive numbers of Haitians fleeing Brazil seeking a better life. They have received over 2,000 migrants so far, and expect nearly three times that number in the coming months.

Haitian Artist’s Work To Be Featured In Boston Street Piano Exhibition

August 22, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Vania Andre

BOSTON, MA –Mattapan native, Marjorie Saintil-Belizaire, was selected to participate in Play Me, I’m Yours, Luke Jerram’s popular public art installation that is making its return visit to Boston this fall, courtesy of Celebrity Series of Boston. The Haitian-American artist is one of sixty artists that were selected to have their work featured in the public art installation.

HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED: Take It One Day at a Time

August 21, 2016 • 0 Comments

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. –MATTHEW 6:34 Life is truly a gift for when you woke up this morning, many people around the world did not make it to see this day. If you’re alive today, you still have a purpose and…

Rebuilding The Haitian State Necessitates A New Political System

August 17, 2016 • 1 Comment

By Max A. Joseph Jr.

It is becoming obvious that each passing day, and each politically-related scandal in Haiti makes the case for a thorough reorganization of the Haitian state which, under the existing environment, seems incapable of fulfilling its basic responsibilities. Indeed, the state’s overreliance on foreign assistance, its inability to organize well-timed and credible elections, the weakness of its institutions and endemic corruption are evidence that the present structure is defective and could never work. Can the Haitian people afford to stay the course and await a miracle?

US Senator Partners With Haiti Nonprofit for 6th Annual Arts and Music Festival

August 10, 2016 • 0 Comments

13614934_1222960444382751_5961972631553816322_n

BROOKLYN, NY – New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton partnered with Light the World Foundation on July 9 to for the 6th Annual Arts and Music Festival in Brooklyn.

Light the World Foundation’s annual concerts have become an integral part of Brooklyn’s summer festivities and a staple in the Haitian Community, bringing together a range of gospel music and expressive art. Proceeds from the festival will go towards the foundations’ two signature programs; the Mentorship Program that provides participants with practical life skills and tools that are usually not taught as a part of their academic curriculum; and, scholarship programs that are offered both in Haiti and in the United States. The scholarships are awarded based on merit as measured by financial need, academic performance, and extracurricular activities.

Haiti: Dog Eat Dog World

August 9, 2016 • 1 Comment

A Haitian dog stands injured, furless, and thin on Route National #1 near Arcahaire, Haiti.

By: Tadia Toussaint

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – Dogs are everywhere in Haiti: under parked cars, dead on the roadside, roaming the streets. Not only are they everywhere but they’re hungry. You find dogs climbing the piles of trash on the street corners with their noses buried looking for just about anything to relieve their hunger.

Brazil Has Pinned Its Hope on Neymar for Olympic Gold

August 8, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Laurent-Jude Boisrond-Canal

The distinctive feature of the Rio Olympic soccer tournament is that all of the 16 teams are composed of players, who are all under 23 years old. Every continent is represented. The teams qualify either by winning a tournament, by being in good standing, or be the host country.

Is this Really Happening?

August 4, 2016 • 0 Comments

At some point this autumn, the two newly-crowned presidential nominees will debate each other on national television. Hillary Clinton versus Donald Trump live. It will be like no other debate anyone has ever seen. Actually, that’s not true. It will probably go along the lines of all of the primary debates this year. Moderator asks…

Rio Olympics Games 2016 : Men’s Basketball Tournament

July 26, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Laurent-Jude Boisrond-Canal

There will be roughly 10,500 athletes from 206 countries, participating in 28 sports, 42 disciplines, and 306 events over the course of 21 days during the Rio Olympics Games. These Olympic games will be the first held in South America, and only the third time the games will be played in the southern hemisphere after Melbourne’s 1956 games and Sydney’s 2000 Olympic games. Rio was selected over Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago.

Haiti’s curse: Demagoguery and Demagogues

July 24, 2016 • 3 Comments

By Max A. Joseph Jr.

As I pointed out before, it exists in Haiti a group of powerful individuals who ought to be described as “indispensable immortals” because of their enduring presence in the political arena that belies their abysmal records or shenanigans of behalf of foreign entities.

Help! I’m Always Broke

July 24, 2016 • 1 Comment

“Can you cover for me?” Do you always find yourself asking your friends this question whenever you’re at a restaurant? It’s one of the most humiliating and shameful experiences. You just got your paycheck on Friday, and it’s already gone. You are a responsible person, but you just can’t get your finances together. How do you…

Accept the Truth: It’s Over

July 17, 2016 • 0 Comments

The end of a matter is better than its beginning… -Ecclesiastes 7:8 Sometimes, it’s hard to accept when a relationship is over. If it came with or without notice, you will find yourself in the middle of an emotional storm or wilderness. In the midst of the storm, God is there to catch you when…

Hopital Universitaire de Mirebalais’ New Lab Will Help Save Lives

July 11, 2016 • 0 Comments

By: Tadia Toussaint

MIREBALAIS, HAITI – Marie Melone Cadeau was diagnosed with stage three endometrial cancer. She traveled from her home in Les Cayes to Zanmi La Sante’s Hopital Universitaire de Mirebalais (HUM) for an operation in November 2015. The doctors promised her the results in five weeks. Instead, she received them five months later in April.

Congresswoman Urges UN to Respond Strongly to Cholera in Haiti

July 11, 2016 • 1 Comment

Photo credit: Star of Hope International

By Vania Andre

United States Congresswoman Maxine Waters sent a letter on July 5 to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, criticizing the UN’s failure to respond to the cholera epidemic in Haiti that was introduced by UN peacekeepers in October 2010.

France vs. Portugal: A Well-Proportioned Final

July 9, 2016 • 0 Comments

By Laurent-Jude Boisrond-Canal

On Sunday soccer fans across the world are expecting an amazing match between France and Portugal. France, the host of the month-long European championship, qualified for the finals after defeating powerful Germany by an indelible 2-0 score.