MUCH LOVE TO ALL MY BLACK PEOPLE...
Lately since the diaster, I've seen alot of famous people who never announced their specific ethnic background rep Haiti.
And I think it is a positive because up until recently many Haitians were "embarrased" for whatever reason...
So I decided to post some people I had NO idea (some I did) were of Haitian descent and I wanted to share and feel free to add any I missed
ALSO ADDED SOME HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANT HAITIANS
This was one of the inspirations...
List of Famous People of Haitian Descent
Sydney Poitier. His father was a Haitian farmer.”
POLITICAL
W.E.B. Dubois – Famous American Civil Rights Leader whose parents migrated from Haiti
Toussaint Louverture “The Black Napoleon” – Black Freedom fighter who in 1803 would open the way for the First Black Republic in the World, Ayiti (Haiti). He died in a french jail before seeing a free Haiti, which in 1804 became the 2nd country in the Americas after the U.S. to become independent
Jean-Jacques Dessalines – Leader of the First Black Republic in the World
Alexandre Petion – Haitian Leader who would help the founder of Latin American Independence, Simon Bolivar (The country of Bolivia is named after him), by providing weapons and soldiers with the promise Bolivar would free all the slaves in places he liberated. The flag of Venezuela was actually sewed together in Haiti
Henry Christophe – Famous Haitian King who build the Citadelle in Haiti which is a huge fortress representing freedom. As a young boy, he was one of many slave soldiers recruited by the French in then the colony of Saint Domingue (which would later become Haiti) to fight alongside the Americans in the American Revolution in 1779 against the British in Savanah Georgia. Today, there is a Statue in Savanah Georgia representing the little known fact of Haiti’s small contributions in U.S. History
ARTS & CULTURE
John James Audubon – Was born in Haiti and would become a legendary, revered bird watcher and art enthusiast in America. The Audubon Society is named after him
Jean Michel Basquiat – Son of Haitian and Puerto Rican parents who was a graffiti artist in NYC using the tag SAMO who would later become one of the most successful, controversial and glamorous artists in the world
Jacques Stephen Alexis – Haitian writer who is a descendant of Jean-Jacques Dessalines. One of his works is GENERAL SUN, MY BROTHER
Ludovic Lamothe – A graduate of L’Institution Saint Louis de Gonzague in Port-au-Prince Haiti, he was sent to Paris to study music composition. He is one of Haiti’s most renowned classical composers
Wyclef Jean – Musician, singer and producer who founded the Fugees
Praz – The other guy from the Fugees
Yves Mondesir - 'DJ Whoo Kid' - G-Unit's official DJ
Won-G – Haitian American Rapper who has a video out with Paris Hilton. Wait…Not that kind of video (imagine the outrage of P.H. caught doing it with a black guy). This one is actually not rated X and is a music video
Edwidge Danticat – Famous Haitian American writer of such books like THE FARMING OF THE BONES and KRIC? KRAC?
Quddus – Haitian Canadian MTV VJ / Model
Oswald Durant – Haitian Poet who wrote “choucoune” which would later become the lyrics for the songs “little bird” by Harry Belafonte.
Alexandre Dumas – French writer who is the son of a Haitian slave woman and a French soldier. His famous writings includes, THE THREE MUSKETEERS and THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
Gabrielle Casseus – Actor in movies such as BLACK HAWK DOWN, and BEDAZZLED
Vanessa Williams – Not the singer, but the one who acts in SOUL FOOD the series.
Tyrone Edmond – Famous Haitian model
Jimmy Saint Louis – Famous Haitian actor / model. He was in THE BOURNE IDENTITY, TEARS OF THE SUN, and soon to be released THE GAMES OF THEIR LIVES where he plays the role of Haitian Joe Gaetzens (see sports below). {I have a cameo in this movie by the way, where I play the role of soccer players Eddie Pope and Robin Frazer J
Garcelle Beauvais – Born in Haiti and moved to NY. She would become a model than an actress on NYPD Blue
Gary Dourdain – Actor from CSI Las Vegas. His parents or grandparents came from Haiti. Sadly enough, his older brother died in Haiti (there are questions as to whether he was pushed off a balcony, or simply fell) while on a visit there to research his Haitian lineage
Marjorie Vincent – Daughter of Haitian immigrants who would become Miss America in 1991
Raoul Peck – Haitian Film director who has many films in his credits. One of which is the famous documentary LUMUMBA: Death of a Prophet
Josephine Premice – Haitian born American actress/dancer/singer. Some of her acting credits is THE JEFFERSONS, THE COSBY SHOW, A DIFFERENT WORLD…
Rene Depestre – Famous Haitian writer of many books, one of which is THE FESTIVAL OF THE GREASY POLE
Jacques Roumain – Famous Haitian writer and one of his most famous work is GOUVERNEURS DE LA ROSEE
Jean-Jean Pierre – Haitian composer, musician, journalist, and playwright, who was profiled on the New York Times Public Lives segment in December 23rd 2004
Ronal and Rony Delice – Haitian Brothers who are acclaimed fashion designers in New York City
RELIGION
Pierre Toussaint – Haitian born slave who is under consideration by the Vatican for canonization for his humanitarian work in New York
Elizabeth Clarisse Lange – Freed slave who first migrated to Cuba then to Baltimore, Maryland. In Baltimore, she founded the first Catholic school for black children, the St. Francis Academy. Today, she is also being considered for canonization by the Vatican
OTHERS WORTH MENTIONING
Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable – Free Black Slave from Haiti who would become a very successful trader in America. In 1779, he established the first permanent settlement of the city of Chicago. He is known today as the founder of that city.
Dr. Rose Marie Toussaint – One of only two women liver transplant surgeon in the world
Joseph Laroche – Haitian businessman traveling with his french wife and kids on the Titanic which was somewhat of a choc to people to see a black man and his white wife traveling aboard a very expensive ocean liner at that time. He was taking his family to live in Haiti when he died with many others on the sunken ship. We all know what happened. She along with their 2 kids survived. He didn’t. He was the only black man to die on the Titanic. His wife and kids never made it to Haiti as they decided to return to France
Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph – She is the new president of MassBay Community College in Massachussetts
SPORTS
Joe Gaetjens – Haitian born soccer player who scored amazing goal for the underdog U.S. in match against mighty England in 1950 World Cup of Soccer in Brazil. This game is still today one of the biggest upset in sports history. He would later die under mysterious circumstances in Haiti under Papa Doc (see below). In 1976 he was inducted into the United States Soccer Federation Hall of fame.
William Joseph – DT for NY Giants
Jonathan Vilma – LB for NY Jets
Samuel Dalembert – C for Philadelphia 76rs
Mario Elie – Former G for Houston Rockets
Olden Polynice – Former NBA player
Bruny Surin – Haitian / Canadian Track and field star
Lately since the diaster, I've seen alot of famous people who never announced their specific ethnic background rep Haiti.
And I think it is a positive because up until recently many Haitians were "embarrased" for whatever reason...
So I decided to post some people I had NO idea (some I did) were of Haitian descent and I wanted to share and feel free to add any I missed
ALSO ADDED SOME HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANT HAITIANS
This was one of the inspirations...
LELA RACHON
List of Famous People of Haitian Descent
Sydney Poitier. His father was a Haitian farmer.”
POLITICAL
W.E.B. Dubois – Famous American Civil Rights Leader whose parents migrated from Haiti
Toussaint Louverture “The Black Napoleon” – Black Freedom fighter who in 1803 would open the way for the First Black Republic in the World, Ayiti (Haiti). He died in a french jail before seeing a free Haiti, which in 1804 became the 2nd country in the Americas after the U.S. to become independent
Jean-Jacques Dessalines – Leader of the First Black Republic in the World
Alexandre Petion – Haitian Leader who would help the founder of Latin American Independence, Simon Bolivar (The country of Bolivia is named after him), by providing weapons and soldiers with the promise Bolivar would free all the slaves in places he liberated. The flag of Venezuela was actually sewed together in Haiti
Henry Christophe – Famous Haitian King who build the Citadelle in Haiti which is a huge fortress representing freedom. As a young boy, he was one of many slave soldiers recruited by the French in then the colony of Saint Domingue (which would later become Haiti) to fight alongside the Americans in the American Revolution in 1779 against the British in Savanah Georgia. Today, there is a Statue in Savanah Georgia representing the little known fact of Haiti’s small contributions in U.S. History
ARTS & CULTURE
John James Audubon – Was born in Haiti and would become a legendary, revered bird watcher and art enthusiast in America. The Audubon Society is named after him
Jean Michel Basquiat – Son of Haitian and Puerto Rican parents who was a graffiti artist in NYC using the tag SAMO who would later become one of the most successful, controversial and glamorous artists in the world
Jacques Stephen Alexis – Haitian writer who is a descendant of Jean-Jacques Dessalines. One of his works is GENERAL SUN, MY BROTHER
Ludovic Lamothe – A graduate of L’Institution Saint Louis de Gonzague in Port-au-Prince Haiti, he was sent to Paris to study music composition. He is one of Haiti’s most renowned classical composers
Wyclef Jean – Musician, singer and producer who founded the Fugees
Praz – The other guy from the Fugees
Yves Mondesir - 'DJ Whoo Kid' - G-Unit's official DJ
Won-G – Haitian American Rapper who has a video out with Paris Hilton. Wait…Not that kind of video (imagine the outrage of P.H. caught doing it with a black guy). This one is actually not rated X and is a music video
Edwidge Danticat – Famous Haitian American writer of such books like THE FARMING OF THE BONES and KRIC? KRAC?
Quddus – Haitian Canadian MTV VJ / Model
Oswald Durant – Haitian Poet who wrote “choucoune” which would later become the lyrics for the songs “little bird” by Harry Belafonte.
Alexandre Dumas – French writer who is the son of a Haitian slave woman and a French soldier. His famous writings includes, THE THREE MUSKETEERS and THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO
Gabrielle Casseus – Actor in movies such as BLACK HAWK DOWN, and BEDAZZLED
Vanessa Williams – Not the singer, but the one who acts in SOUL FOOD the series.
Tyrone Edmond – Famous Haitian model
Jimmy Saint Louis – Famous Haitian actor / model. He was in THE BOURNE IDENTITY, TEARS OF THE SUN, and soon to be released THE GAMES OF THEIR LIVES where he plays the role of Haitian Joe Gaetzens (see sports below). {I have a cameo in this movie by the way, where I play the role of soccer players Eddie Pope and Robin Frazer J
Garcelle Beauvais – Born in Haiti and moved to NY. She would become a model than an actress on NYPD Blue
Gary Dourdain – Actor from CSI Las Vegas. His parents or grandparents came from Haiti. Sadly enough, his older brother died in Haiti (there are questions as to whether he was pushed off a balcony, or simply fell) while on a visit there to research his Haitian lineage
Marjorie Vincent – Daughter of Haitian immigrants who would become Miss America in 1991
Raoul Peck – Haitian Film director who has many films in his credits. One of which is the famous documentary LUMUMBA: Death of a Prophet
Josephine Premice – Haitian born American actress/dancer/singer. Some of her acting credits is THE JEFFERSONS, THE COSBY SHOW, A DIFFERENT WORLD…
Rene Depestre – Famous Haitian writer of many books, one of which is THE FESTIVAL OF THE GREASY POLE
Jacques Roumain – Famous Haitian writer and one of his most famous work is GOUVERNEURS DE LA ROSEE
Jean-Jean Pierre – Haitian composer, musician, journalist, and playwright, who was profiled on the New York Times Public Lives segment in December 23rd 2004
Ronal and Rony Delice – Haitian Brothers who are acclaimed fashion designers in New York City
RELIGION
Pierre Toussaint – Haitian born slave who is under consideration by the Vatican for canonization for his humanitarian work in New York
Elizabeth Clarisse Lange – Freed slave who first migrated to Cuba then to Baltimore, Maryland. In Baltimore, she founded the first Catholic school for black children, the St. Francis Academy. Today, she is also being considered for canonization by the Vatican
OTHERS WORTH MENTIONING
Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable – Free Black Slave from Haiti who would become a very successful trader in America. In 1779, he established the first permanent settlement of the city of Chicago. He is known today as the founder of that city.
Dr. Rose Marie Toussaint – One of only two women liver transplant surgeon in the world
Joseph Laroche – Haitian businessman traveling with his french wife and kids on the Titanic which was somewhat of a choc to people to see a black man and his white wife traveling aboard a very expensive ocean liner at that time. He was taking his family to live in Haiti when he died with many others on the sunken ship. We all know what happened. She along with their 2 kids survived. He didn’t. He was the only black man to die on the Titanic. His wife and kids never made it to Haiti as they decided to return to France
Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph – She is the new president of MassBay Community College in Massachussetts
SPORTS
Joe Gaetjens – Haitian born soccer player who scored amazing goal for the underdog U.S. in match against mighty England in 1950 World Cup of Soccer in Brazil. This game is still today one of the biggest upset in sports history. He would later die under mysterious circumstances in Haiti under Papa Doc (see below). In 1976 he was inducted into the United States Soccer Federation Hall of fame.
William Joseph – DT for NY Giants
Jonathan Vilma – LB for NY Jets
Samuel Dalembert – C for Philadelphia 76rs
Mario Elie – Former G for Houston Rockets
Olden Polynice – Former NBA player
Bruny Surin – Haitian / Canadian Track and field star
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