Haitian journalist Lionel Legrand has died, Radio Soleil d’Haiti said Saturday. Legrand made his name with his daily news broadcast from Brooklyn on Radio Soleil, which ran for 18 years. “He was really one of the greatest broadcasters of Haitian radio in New York, and we shall feel his loss very, very keenly indeed,” said Mario Jeanty.
It was announced that Legrand would retire because of liver ailment, heralding the end of the much-loved Creole news program and talk show and bringing with it a flood of tributes from colleagues and admirers in the community.
Legrand started at Radio Progres in Haiti in the late 1970’s as a commentator. His career included several broadcasts made from political demonstrations and carnival broadcasts, but he was better known for his daily Creole News format, and as co-host of “Jogging Mind” from 1992 to 1999. It was Legrand’s ability to give his own twist to momentous events across the Haitian community in New York that captivated listeners.