Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrates Haitian Heritage Month 2022 by honoring and highlighting the diverse culture, heritage, and contributions of the Haitian community throughout history. Haitian Heritage Month was first celebrated in the United States in Boston, Massachusetts, and has since been celebrated for more than 20 years across the nation. We encourage our community to study, observe, and celebrate the Haitian community on campus and beyond.
STEM Scholar Highlights:
- Dr. Jean W. Pape (Professor of Medicine)
- Dr. Gerard A. Alphonse (Engineer, Physicist, and Research Scientist)
- Dr. Linda Marc-Clérismé (Social Epidemiologist)
Read, Watch, Listen
- Explore the Haitian Studies Association online
- Explore the Haitian Heritage Museum exhibits online
- Read the Library of Congress Haitian History resource guide online
- Read “Celebrating Black Joy: Haitian and Haitian American Stories” online
- Read “They Say A Country Never Dies: Haitians Reflect On The Past While Confronting The Future” online
- Watch “Ayiti Re-imagined: The First Black Sovereign Nation” online
- In the following video, Librarian-in-Residence, Taylor Healey-Brooks, interviews five prominent Haiti scholars: Dr. Leslie Alexander, Dr. Jean Eddy Saint Paul, Dr. Grégory Pierrot, Dr. Brandon R. Byrd, and Dr. Chelsea Stieber. This video serves as a resource that connects the Library with an emerging audience discussing Haiti's history, the aftermath of the Haitian Revolution and, its representation in the media, including its positive impact on Black sovereignty in the Americas. (Event date: January 03, 2022)
- Watch Bending The Arc online
- Use WPI log in credentials to access the film
- A powerful documentary about the extraordinary team of doctors and activists – including Paul Farmer, Jim Yong Kim, and Ophelia Dahl – whose work thirty years ago to save lives in a rural Haitian village grew into a global battle in the halls of power for the right to health for all. The community health model they developed to treat diseases like tuberculosis & HIV/AIDS has saved millions of lives in the developing world. Epic, yet intimate, the film is a compelling argument for the power of collective and personal vision and will to turn the tide of history.
- Watch Haiti Speaks online
- Haiti Speaks uncovers what neither centuries of colonialism, debt, discrimination or natural disaster could destroy: The depth of the Haitian spirit. Call it pride. Call it spirit. Call it hope. Whatever it is, you feel it in Haiti Speaks.
- Listen to The Outcasts: A Journey of Believing, Becoming, and Belonging Podcast
- Listen to The Haitian Millennial Podcast
- Listen to The Haitian-American Diaries Podcast
Take Action
- Attend Haitian Heritage Month events in Boston, Massachusetts
- Support the Haitian Americans United, Inc. Organization
- Support locally (Worcester, MA):
- Register to Vote -OR- Check Your Voter Registration
- Everything you need to vote. Vote.org
“Haitian Heritage Month is a nationally recognized month and an opportunity for individuals including Haitians and lovers of the Haitian culture to celebrate the rich culture, distinctive art, delicious food and learn the traditions of Haiti and its people. The celebration is an expansion of the Haitian Flag Day on May 18th, a major patriotic day celebration in Haiti and the Diaspora created to encourage patriotism.”
“The Haitian Community contributes greatly to the rich history, culture and diversity of the City of Boston; established and distinguished itself through the efforts of many community organizations, businesses, and community participation.” –Kim Janey, Former Mayor of Boston
Learn More:
https://www.britannica.com/place/Haiti
https://www.haitianheritagemuseum.org/haitian-heritage-month/