Haitian Heritage Month is one of the newest cultural heritage months recognized in the United States.  It was first celebrated in Boston in 1998 when local access channel Tele Kreyol dedicated its May programming to highlighting Haitian culture and history.  The celebration spread to other parts of New England before making its way to the House of Representatives, which declared it a national holiday in 2004.

Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month is especially poignant this year as Haitian immigrants’ rights come under fire.  In November, the Trump administration canceled a Haitian immigrant program that granted protected status to roughly 50,000 Haitian immigrants, who fled to the United States after the devastating 2010 earthquake in their native country.  Without the program, these Haitians will be forced to leave the country by 2019.

Thus, now is a wonderful time to recognize and celebrate Haitian culture and influence in America.

Wyclef Jean is perhaps the most notable Haitian American.  As one-third of The Fugees, he sold millions of records and won 2 Grammys.  He also had a blockbuster solo career.  In 2001, he created the Yéle Haiti organization to fund scholarships, meals, and school infrastructure in Haiti, and he played a critical role in raising emergency relief funds after the 2010 earthquake.

Filmmaker Raoul Peck uses his work to tell powerful stories and inspire.  He has dedicated his career to a series of emotionally moving documentaries and features.  Most recently, he directed the Oscar-nominated I Am Not Your Negro, a documentary based on the life of James Baldwin.

Marie St. Fleur is a Haitian native who made a splash in American politics.  She served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1999-2011 and now works as the director of intergovernmental relations for the City of Boston.

Haitian Americans have contributed greatly to our nation and Haitian Heritage Month is an opportunity to pay tribute.