Haitian Coalition

Boston

Boston’s Haitian Community

The Boston area has the third largest Haitian population in the

United States and is home to an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 Haitians. Haitians first began arriving in the Bay State during the 1950s and have continued to make Massachusetts a prime destination ever since. Boston is favored due to its employment opportunities, quality education system, and safe environment.

The Boston neighborhoods of Mattapan, Dorchester, Hyde Park, and Roxbury have the greatest Haitian concentration, but strong Haitian communities can be found throughout the Boston suburbs including Cambridge and Somerville where particularly large Haitian communities exist.

As Boston’s Haitian community grows, first, second, and third generation Haitians work together to help strengthen their Boston community. The Haitian Coalition is just one of many organizations in the Boston area designed to better the lives of Haitian Americans.

Did you know?

Boston is home to 52 Haitian churches, which act as important spiritual and community centers for Haitians living in Boston.

Boston has 10 Haitian radio broadcasts. Listen online at

www.anselme.homestead.com/radio.html.

Many Boston Haitians work in the health care industry, especially as nurses. Some estimate that up to 75% of all nursing home workers are Haitian. Other popular employment opportunities include working for high-tech companies and being teachers.

Boston is an important city for Haitian and Haitian-American studies. Local universities offer students the opportunity to learn more about Haitian culture. UMass Boston is the founder of the Haitian Studies Association:

www.haitianstudies.umb.edu.

Haitians in the Boston area are becoming increasingly politically active. Important issues include education, economic development, public health, and immigrants’ rights.

Boston has its own Haitian newspaper, the Boston Haitian Reporter. The free paper can be found throughout Boston or online at www.bostonhaitian.com.

The Haitian Coalition is the largest Haitian organization north of the Charles River. Make sure to visit the Coalition online at www.haitian-coalition.org!

Source: www.haiti-usa.org

HAITIAN FLAG TO BE RAISED AT CITY HALL

Somerville will Commemorate Haitian Flag Day on May 18^th with Flag-Raising, Cultural Celebrations at SHS SOMERVILLE – Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Haitian Coalition announced today that Somerville will raise the Haitian Flag at City Hall on Thursday, May 18^th in honor of Haitian Flag Day. Ceremonies will start at 7:30 a.m. at the City Hall Concourse,

93 Highland Avenue , and will include the raising of the Haitian flag and a performance of the Haitian National Anthem by Somerville High School students.

The main celebration will take place from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Somerville High School Atrium, with speakers, dance performances and a light dinner free of charge.  The evening’s program will feature leaders from the local Haitian community, including keynote speaker Yvon Lamour, youth speakers David Jean and Paul Georges, and emcee Wadson Michel.  The celebration will include music by D.J. Black, dance performances by the Somerville High School Haitian Club and others, and traditional Haitian food donated by Highland Creole Cuisine. 

Both events are open to the public, free of charge, and wheelchair-accessible.  All ages are welcome and free childcare will be provided at the evening event courtesy of the Somerville Family Network.  

Haitian Flag Day events are put on by the City of Somerville and the Haitian Coalition in collaboration with co-sponsors, B & B Hair Design, Highland Creole Cuisine, the Immigrant Service Providers Group, Somerville Public Schools, Somerville Special Education Project and Super Kmart.  Haitian Flag Day celebrations in Somerville are designed to celebrate the history and traditions of our Haitian American residents, and commemorate the struggle towards freedom of the Haitian people.  For more information on Haitian Flag Day events, please contact the Haitian Coalition at 617-625-6400.  If you would like to arrange a flag raising or other cultural celebration, please contact Aru Manrique, Director of Multicultural Affairs at 617-625-6600 x3309.