Haitian Heritage Month is a nationally recognized month celebrated in May every year.
“As a Haitian American, celebrating Haitian Heritage Month is significant because it allows us to recognize and honor Haitian Americans’ contributions to the fabric of American society,” says Hans Patrick Domercant, President of the Haitian Chamber of Commerce. “Haitian Americans have significantly contributed to medicine, business, education, politics and culture. Celebrating these accomplishments helps to highlight our rich history, cultural heritage and the ongoing impact that we have on American society.”
The first Haitian Heritage Month was celebrated in May 1998 in the United States. The Haitian diaspora celebrates the observance worldwide. It coincides with Haitian Flag Day, the month Haiti gained independence from France in 1804.
Events in Haitian American History
Haitian American history is rich and complex, with many key moments helping shape the experiences of Haitians in the United States.
1791-1804: The Haitian Revolution led to the establishment of Haiti as an independent nation, recognized by the United States in 1862.
1915-1934: Following the assassination of Haitian president Jean Vilbrun Guillaume, the United States occupied Haiti under the guise of “restoring order” and “promoting economic stability.”
The 1960s-1980s: A wave of immigrants came to the United States to escape the oppressive regime of François “Papa Doc” Duvalier and his son Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier.
1991-1994: In the early 1990s, thousands of Haitians attempted to flee their country by boat, seeking refuge in the United States. The U.S. government responded with a controversial policy of intercepting and repatriating Haitian migrants, which was criticized for violating international human rights law.
1998: The Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA), enacted by Congress in 1998, granted legal permanent residency to certain Haitian nationals residing in the United States.
2010: A devastating earthquake struck Haiti, killing over 200,000 people and leaving millions homeless. Following the quake, the U.S. granted Temporary Protection Status (TPS) to approximately 55,000 immigrants. TPS allows migrants from countries with unsafe conditions to reside and work legally in the U.S.
2022: The United States extended the protected status program that prevents Haitian migrants from being deported to mid-2024.
Haiti Facts and Firsts
Once the wealthiest colony in the Caribbean, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Political instability, civil unrest and recurrent natural disasters have contributed to its fragility.
Haiti was the first independent Black republic in the world. The country declared independence from France on Jan. 1, 1804, after the first and only successful slave rebellion in modern history.
Haiti is one of the most densely populated and least developed countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Haiti is the most mountainous country in the Caribbean and one of the most biodiverse countries in the West Indies.
Haiti is home to one of the world’s largest solar-powered hospitals, the Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais.
The Citadel, located in northern Haiti, is the largest fortress in the Western Hemisphere.
Notable Haitian Americans
From politics to entertainment, here are some people of Haitian descent who have made significant contributions to American society:
W.E.B. Du Bois, civil rights activist, scholar and writer, was the first African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1895.
Karine Jean-Pierre made history in 2022 as the first Black and openly gay White House Press Secretary.
Jeremiah Hamilton was Wall Street’s first Black millionaire. When he died in 1875, his estate was worth about $2 million, or about $250 million in 2015.
Mia Love was the first Haitian-American and first Black Republican woman in Congress for Utah’s 4th Congressional district.
Wyclef Jean is a Grammy-award-winning artist and former member of the Fugees, one of the best-selling rap groups of all time.
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is the first Haitian American Democrat elected to Congress, representing Florida’s 20th Congressional District.
Claudine Gay will become the 30th and first Black President of Harvard University on July 1, 2023.
The Haitian American Experience in the U.S.
As of 2020, the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) says an estimated 705,000 Haitians lived in the United States, the world’s largest Haitian immigrant population. Once they arrive in the U.S., their experience is often varied.
The Cato Institute says within four years of residency in the U.S., Haitian immigrants have an employment rate of nearly 80%, which is higher than the population on average. In 2018, the percentage of Haitians 25 and older in the U.S. with a high school degree or higher was greater than the total foreign-born population. But compared to all immigrant groups, Haitians were more likely to have lower household incomes, participate in the labor force and work in service occupations, according to the MPI. Haitian immigrants were also less likely to be in management and related jobs than foreign- and native-born groups.
“One of the biggest challenges is discrimination and prejudice based on race, ethnicity and immigration status,” says Domercant. “As a result, many Haitian Americans have experienced barriers in accessing education, employment opportunities and healthcare services.”
The Haitian American Policy Institute’s workplace policy recommendations include expanding the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, strengthening worker protections by defending the right of public and private sector workers to collectively bargain and improving access to workforce development training for individuals with low education and English language attainment.
Language is an integral part of Haitian culture. Haitian Creole, a French-based Creole language, is spoken by most people in Haiti and over 10 million worldwide. The language emerged as a form of African resistance against slavery during the 17th and 18th centuries and can be heard in many Haitian American homes. Domercant says Haitian Americans face challenges in maintaining their cultural identity while assimilating to American culture.
“Despite these challenges, Haitian Americans persevere and make valuable contributions to American society,” he says. “By celebrating Haitian Heritage Month, we can raise awareness of these contributions and work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive community for all.”
