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Wyclef Jean “Dominican Republic Should Revoke The Citizenship of José Franscisco Peña Gomez”

Former Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin Speak To L’union Suite About Haitian-Dominicans Deportations

Naomi Osaka Defeats Serena Williams to Become the First Haitian and the First Japanese Player to Win a US Open Grand Slam Singles Title

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Too Hot For Haiti: Harmonik’s “Illegal” Music Video Banned in Haiti

LA Fashion Week 2015 Looking For Haitian Designers

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About
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Tag - Educate Yourself

Haitian American • Haitian History • Haitian Leaders

Haitians In American History

March 7, 2014

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#InMemoriam 🇭🇹🕊️🙏🏾⁠ Frankétien

#InMemoriam 🇭🇹🕊️🙏🏾⁠
Frankétienne, a trailblazing Haitian writer, painter, actor, and musician, has passed away at the age of 88. Known as the "father of #Haitian letters," #Frankétienne was a driving force behind the spiralism literary movement, which emerged in Haiti in the 1960s ⁠
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Born Jean-Pierre Basilic Dantor Franck Étienne d’Argent, Frankétienne grew up in the impoverished Bel-Air neighborhood of #PortauPrince, Haiti's capital. Despite the challenges he faced, he became one of Haiti's most important writers, penning poems, plays, and novels that captured the essence of #Haitian culture.⁠
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Some of his notable works include "Dézafi," the first modern novel written in Haitian #Creole, and "Pèlin Tèt," a play that challenged political oppression. His paintings, such as "Désastre" and "Difficile émergence vers la lumière," are also highly regarded for their emotional depth and vibrant colors.⁠
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Frankétienne's legacy extends beyond his art. In the late 1980s, he served as Haiti's culture minister and was awarded France's Order of Arts and Letters. He was also passionate about Haitian identity, freedom of expression, and social justice.⁠
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In a 2023 interview with #UNESCO, Frankétienne said he worked on some 60 books and 5,000 paintings in his lifetime. Reflecting on his life's work, he said, "I am an original madman who must have disturbed any number of 'normal' people." He remained committed to his creative path until the end, leaving behind a body of work that will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come. ⁠
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#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian #culture #caribbean

We previously reported on the allegations against

We previously reported on the allegations against #MichaelGeilenfeld, the founder of St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in #Haiti. Yesterday, a #Miami jury convicted Geilenfeld, 73, of sexually abusing boys at the facility.⁠
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Geilenfeld was found guilty of six counts of engaging in illicit sexual contact with minors in a foreign country and one count of traveling from #Miami to #Haiti for that purpose. The conviction carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison on each charge.⁠
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The trial included testimony from six #Haitian men, now in their 20s, who alleged they were abused between 2005 and 2010 when they were between 9 and 13 years old. Geilenfeld had pleaded not guilty.⁠
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Geilenfeld founded the orphanage in 1985, and it was one of several he operated in Haiti and the #DominicanRepublic. Although the orphanage was closed in 2014, abuse allegations against Geilenfeld in Haiti remain unresolved. Geilenfeld’s sentencing is scheduled for May 5.⁠
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Source: AP News ⁠
#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian

President #DonaldTrump hosted a #BlackHistoryMonth

Update: The Trump administration has canceled an e

Update: The Trump administration has canceled an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 500,000 Haitians, setting a new expiration date of August 3. ⁠
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In June, the #Biden administration extended #TPS protections until February 2026, citing Haiti’s escalating violence and instability. However, the Department of Homeland Security announced Thursday that it was vacating the extension, leaving thousands of #Haitians at risk of deportation.⁠
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The decision has sparked a backlash from immigration advocates, who warn that returning Haitians to the crisis-stricken island could put lives in danger.⁠
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🎥 @NBC6⁠
#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian #caribbean

Medjy takes the stage at Place Bell on February 22

Medjy takes the stage at Place Bell on February 22nd for an incredible night! 48rebecca.com. 🔥🇭🇹⁠
#AD #lunionSuite #haitianamerican #48Rebecca

#BREAKINGNEWS — The #Trump administration has an

#BREAKINGNEWS — The #Trump administration has announced a rollback of the 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (#TPS) for more than 500,000 Haitians residing in the United States, igniting concerns about their safety and future. The Department of Homeland Security (#DHS) confirmed on Thursday that Haiti’s TPS will officially expire on August 3, 2025, reversing an extension previously set by the Biden administration.⁠
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According to @MiamiHerald, the decision to end #TPS was met with harsh criticism from many, including Ira Kurzban, a Miami-based immigration attorney who fought to protect TPS for #Haitians during the Trump administration’s previous attempt to terminate the program. Kurzban argued that the rollback of protections would send Haitians back into imminent danger, stating, “Even an elementary understanding of Haiti would lead any normal person to understand these people are in danger.”⁠
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Guerline Jozef, the head of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, called the administration’s move “a cruel and calculated attack on Black and brown immigrants.” She added that the decision is “nothing short of a death sentence” for many Haitians, given the rampant insecurity and humanitarian crisis in the country.⁠
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The move to cut TPS for Haitians is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to roll back protections for nationals of other countries facing violence and unrest. Last month, the administration also ended TPS for half of the #Venezuelan recipients, citing similar reasons. Immigration advocates fear that this could set a dangerous precedent for other vulnerable populations.⁠
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Human rights advocates argue that the Trump administration’s decision ignores the fact that Haiti’s situation has not improved since TPS was first designated in 2010.
#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haiti

#LunionSuiteExcellence 🇭🇹 ⁠ CBS is making

#LunionSuiteExcellence 🇭🇹 ⁠
CBS is making television history with #BeyondtheGates, the first Black-led daytime soap opera in 35 years and the first new network soap in over 25 years. Among the stars of this groundbreaking series is #HaitianAmerican actress @Theonlydaphneeduplaix, who plays Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson. ⁠
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Speaking to CBS Mornings, stars Tamara Tunie and Duplaix emphasized the importance of the moment. “You see yourself in the people that you’re working with,” they shared, reflecting on the significance of a predominantly Black cast leading a network daytime drama. ⁠
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Two other #Haitian actors, in addition to Duplaix, are part of the series. @Arielleprepetit plays Dani Dupree, the oldest daughter of Bill Hamilton and Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne. Prepetit’s role further highlights Haitian-American talent in this groundbreaking series. @Stevendanielbrun also has a recurring role as a maître d. Duplaix shared the news with us, proudly showcasing the representation of Haitian talent in this historic production. ⁠
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The series follows the powerful and prestigious Dupree family as they navigate life in an affluent Maryland suburb. Duplaix praised the show for portraying Black excellence in a way that goes beyond traditional media portrayals. The show results from years of work by Sheila Ducksworth, president of CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, and creator and showrunner Michele Val Jean (*General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful*). ⁠
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Duplaix is joined by an impressive cast, including Tamara Tunie as Anita Dupree, Clifton Davis as Vernon Dupree, and Karla Mosley as Dani Dupree. With a backdrop of wealth and prestige, @Beyondthegatescbs promises plenty of drama, secrets, scandals, and power struggles within the Dupree family’s world. ⁠
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For Duplaix, the show is part of a more significant shift toward authentic storytelling. As a leading Haitian-American actress, her presence highlights the growing visibility of Haitian talent in Hollywood. With CBS and the NAACP backing this landmark production, the show is set to redefine daytime television. On Feb. 24, viewers will finally see it all come to light.⁠
#lunionsuite | Source @cbsnews

Authorities in #Haiti have issued more than a doze

Authorities in #Haiti have issued more than a dozen arrest warrants for individuals accused of supporting gang members responsible for violent attacks in #Kenscoff, a community near the capital, The Associated Press reported. The assaults, which have been ongoing for the past three weeks, have left dozens dead, including three police officers and one soldier, police spokesman Lionel Lazarre announced Tuesday.⁠
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Among those accused of plotting against the government and aiding the gangs are former Senator Nenel Cassy and former Kenscoff legislator Alfredo Antoine. Neither could immediately be reached for comment, The Associated Press noted. ⁠
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A two-month-old baby was among the victims, according to the Cooperative for Peace and Development. This local human rights group has called for the establishment of an international tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the deaths of thousands, including children, in recent years. Despite the challenges of accessing gang-controlled areas, Lazarre vowed to continue security operations, stating that “a lot” of gang members had been killed, though he did not provide specific figures.⁠
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According to The Associated Press, gangs now control 85% of Port-au-Prince and have expanded their reach, targeting previously stable communities in their push for more territory. The United Nations reported that over 5,600 people were killed in Haiti last year, with gang violence displacing more than one million residents.⁠
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#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian

What are you having for breakfast? 🇭🇹🔥⁠

What are you having for breakfast? 🇭🇹🔥⁠
Bannann Dous ( Bouyi), Ze Fri, Epina ak Aranò (Boiled Sweet Plantains, Fried eggs, Sautéed Spinach with Smoke Herring?!) ⁠
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🎥 @Chefchosen⁠
#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian #culture #caribbean

Michael Adrian Nieto, 31, a former St. Cloud, Flor

Michael Adrian Nieto, 31, a former St. Cloud, Florida police officer, has pleaded guilty to illegally dealing firearms, a crime that could land him a maximum of five years in federal prison. His guilty plea reveals a disturbing involvement in trafficking firearms to international criminal operations, with smuggling links to the #DominicanRepublic, #PuertoRico, and #Haiti. ⁠
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According to the plea agreement, Nieto, while serving as a law enforcement officer, routinely purchased and resold firearms to various individuals. One of his primary contacts, Ernesto Vazquez, was a key figure in a criminal conspiracy that trafficked firearms internationally. In his corrupt actions, Nieto used his access to police databases to provide Vazquez with sensitive and confidential information, further aiding the illegal operation.⁠
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From June 6, 2022, to September 4, 2024, Nieto purchased at least 58 firearms, many of which were identical and bought in close proximity to each other. Federal authorities, including the #FBI and #ATF, executed a search warrant at Nieto’s residence on October 17, 2024, recovering 12 firearms. ⁠
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During the investigation, Nieto admitted to knowingly supplying firearms to Vazquez, fully aware that they would be smuggled and transferred to third parties in violation of federal law. He also acknowledged receiving illegal items, including a machinegun conversion device, from Vazquez.⁠
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Vazquez, who was also involved in the conspiracy, has already pleaded guilty to trafficking firearms and is awaiting sentencing, scheduled for March 25, 2025.⁠
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#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian

The frequency and severity of plane crashes in rec

The frequency and severity of plane crashes in recent months have raised alarm bells, with many seeking answers about the underlying causes of these tragic incidents. In the latest incident, a devastating midair collision between two small planes at an #Arizona airport on Wednesday morning has left at least two people dead.⁠
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The collision occurred at Marana Regional Airport when a Lancair 360 MK II and a Cessna 172S crashed into each other just before 8:30 a.m. local time. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (#FAA), the airport is an uncontrolled field, meaning it does not have an operating air traffic control tower. Both aircraft had two passengers each, but further details have not been released. This incident is the latest in a series of recent aircraft crashes, including:⁠
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A fiery crash-landing at a #Toronto airport, a fatal air ambulance crash in #Philadelphia on January 31, a midair collision between an Army helicopter and a commercial airplane, resulting in the deaths of all 67 passengers on board, the frequency and severity of these incidents have raised concerns among the public and the aviation community. As investigations into these crashes continue, questions remain about what’s causing this alarming trend in plane crashes.⁠
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Video Source: @Wqadnews8⁠
#lunionsuite

#BREAKINGNEWS: @CBSNews has exclusively learned th

#BREAKINGNEWS: @CBSNews has exclusively learned that the #Trump administration has enacted an indefinite pause on all immigration applications from migrants admitted under specific #Biden-era programs, citing concerns over fraud and national security. This suspension affects individuals from #LatinAmerica and #Ukraine who entered the U.S. through initiatives such as Uniting for Ukraine and the #CHNV program.⁠
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In a memo dated February 14, Andrew Davidson, Acting Deputy Director of U.S. #Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), ordered an agency-wide “administrative pause” on all pending benefit requests associated with these programs. The Uniting for #Ukraine initiative had provided refuge to approximately 240,000 Ukrainians fleeing the #Russian invasion, while the CHNV program allowed 530,000 individuals from #Cuba, #Haiti, #Nicaragua, and #Venezuela to enter the U.S. with American sponsors.⁠
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This move follows the administration’s earlier decision to halt new entries under these programs, now extending the suspension to applications from migrants already residing in the U.S. The freeze will remain in effect indefinitely as officials conduct a comprehensive review to identify potential fraud and enhance vetting procedures. This development leaves hundreds of thousands of migrants in a state of uncertainty regarding their legal status and future in the country.⁠
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Video Source: CBS News ⁠
#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian

#InMemoriam 🕊️🙏🏾🇭🇹 ⁠ The music

#InMemoriam 🕊️🙏🏾🇭🇹 ⁠
The music world is mourning the loss of Félix Cumbé, the Haitian-Dominican merengue and bachata legend who passed away on February 11, 2025, at the age of 60. Born Critz Sterlin in #PortauPrince, #Haiti, Cumbé's life was a testament to the power of music to transcend borders and cultures.⁠
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Cumbé's journey in music began at a young age, and despite facing numerous challenges, including living undocumented in the #DominicanRepublic for much of his life, his talent and dedication earned him a place in the hearts of fans across the #Caribbean.⁠
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With hits like "El Gatico" and "Déjame Volver," Cumbé became a household name in the 1980s. He collaborated with renowned artists like Aníbal Bravo and Fernando Villalona. His contributions to merengue and bachata are immeasurable, and his music remains a beloved part of #Dominican cultural heritage. In 2021, Cumbé was officially granted Dominican citizenship. Félix Cumbé is survived by his wife and two children. ⁠
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As fans and fellow artists express their condolences on social media, one thing is clear: Cumbé's legacy will live on through his music, a timeless tribute to the power of art to inspire and unite us. Rest in peace, Félix Cumbé. Your rhythms and lyrics will continue to bring joy to generations of fans, a lasting testament to your enduring legacy.⁠
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Video Source: @Amelialadomiriquena⁠
#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #haitian #caribbean

🌹 @Turksncaicosislandsfashionweek Where Love, F

🌹 @Turksncaicosislandsfashionweek Where Love, Fashion & Island Artistry Unite! We’re making HISTORY!
Event Highlights:
📍 Feb 23: Model Casting @TheSandsTC (6-9PM)
📍 Feb 24: Ribbon Cutting & Press Conference @ThePamsTC (5-6PM)
📍 Feb 25: Industry Panel @TheShoreclubTC (6-8PM)
📍 Feb 26: Creatives Connect Dinner @TheShoreclubTC (7-9PM)
📍 Feb 27: Meet the Models @ TCI Fish Fry
📍 Feb 28: Beach Photoshoot @The Palms + Private Dinner
📍 Mar 1: THE MAIN EVENT – FASHION SHOW @ThePalmsTC (5-7PM) + Silent Auction for @redcrosstci
𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀: 𝘁𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸.𝗰𝗼𝗺
🥂 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 & 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆.
Sponsors & Team:
Venue: @hartlinggroupcareers @karenswhitt
Visionary: @aliciaswann.as
Producer: Dr. @karinemelissa
Media: @lunionsuite
#LSPartner #haitianamerican #FashionWeek #lunionsuite #turksandcaicos #sponsor

Haitians In Colombia 🇭🇹🇨🇴🤭😆⁠
⁠🎥 @Dreysoul⁠
#lunionsuite #haitianamerican #colombia #caribbean

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February 22, 2025