Haiti

Elected officials and local Haitian leaders across the country criticized former President Donald J. Trump after he uttered falsehoods about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, during the presidential debate earlier this month.

As the month of May, Haitian Heritage Month, comes to a close, a documentary by Jacquil Constant seeks to put Haitian art at the forefront of conversation.

For Olanda Fontin, things are starting to look up. The 31-year-old recently obtained a work permit and is starting a new job as a homemaker — she is on her way to securing a better life for herself and her family.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was among a group of Democratic leaders, advocates and heads of Haitian-led organizations calling for U.S. elected officials during an April 11 press call to take “critical action” in addressing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

In the late 1980s, a tense political situation in his home country of Haiti left visual artist Charlot Lucien with little hope for his future. He was in his mid-20s at the time and involved in political cartooning at a moment when the country’s leaders scorned political expression through media. So, he left.

For Patrick Sylvain, Haiti’s current crisis was inevitable. But that doesn’t erase the sorrow he has felt while watching gangs take over the country and the international community left at a loss for action.

The Boston Pan African Forum and the National Network on Cuba joined together Oct. 13 for a conference at UMass Boston on Cuba, Haiti and the wider Caribbean.

Local Haitian community leaders have expressed mixed feelings about a new armed peacekeeping force slated to be sent to Haiti and led by Kenya.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called on the Dominican Republic to cease forced deportations of Haitian migrants and people of Haitian ancestry amid a growing human rights crisis in Haiti.

Visitors to Bow Market in Somerville’s Union Square can now spot the vibrant colors and chic silhouettes of local designer Joelle Fontaine in the windows. Fontaine opened the first brick-and-mortar shop for her brand Kréyol at the end of May and has quickly become a part of the local business marketplace.

Contemporary and Haitian fusion dance troupe Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) will debut a powerful new piece, “Traka,” at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston on May 13 and 14. Presented by Global Arts Live, “Traka” explores trauma and the healing power of movement through the lens of Haitian history.

Following the announcement of a federal plan to accept 100,000 Ukrainian refugees, local leaders and organizations have voiced support for the proposed action, while also noting perceived inequities between the treatment of Ukrainian refugees in comparison with the treatment of migrants from predominantly non-white countries and hoping that the action can jumpstart change in the U.S. migration system.