Info session on Mirebalais Hospital

An information session for the "Haitian medical community and friends of Haiti" will be held on Sat., May 19, 2-4 p.m. at the New England Regional Council of Carpenters hall in Dorchester. Briefing on role of Partners in Health in Haiti. Vision for the hospital from construction to operation. Invitation to Haitians and friends of Haiti to assist. Questions and answers.
Call 617-635-3817 for more info.

Poetry, spoke word open mic benefits Haiti program

The Young Professionals, “TYP,” hosts charity event entitled “Words For A Cause” on Saturday May 19 from 6 to 8p.m. It is a spoken word/ open mic night featuring local poets and spoken word artists who will showcase their talents. The event will take place at St. Angela’s church hall located at 1548 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan. Admission is $5.00 per person and refreshments will be served.

Rep. Forry discusses Heritage Month and Reunification petition drive

Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry discussed the significance of Haitian Heritage Month during a special program at the Massachusetts State House on May 15, 2012. Rep. Forry also talks about her office's work to push for a federal Haitian Family Reunification program through a signature petition drive. Video courtesy ACH.

Closing reception for "When Our Brushes Shook” exhibit on May 17

As time passes and some wounds heal, Haitian artists have begun to express more hope and optimism in their works of art, according to Charlot Lucien, founder and co-director of the Haitian Artists Assembly of Mass. (HAAM) and one of the founders of the Jacmel Art Revitalization Project. The emotional shift Lucien refers to can be seen in an exhibit extended until May 18th at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (MSPP) in Boston's West Roxbury neighborhood.

Point of Pride: Son of Haitian-born parents, Reynaldo Sylla excelled at Boston College

Boston College Carroll School of Management senior Reynaldo Sylla was honored this month for his exceptional leadership and service. He is the 2012 recipient of the University’s Dr. Donald Brown Award, which honors a senior for his or her extraordinary contributions to the greater AHANA (African-American, Hispanic, Asian, Native American) community.

Named for the BC’s inaugural director of AHANA Student Programs, it was presented to Sylla during Black Family Weekend in April.

K-Mistry enters Boston into Konpa sweepstakes

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“It’s My Life”

Boston’s music fans have been hoping for local talent to impact the mainstream Konpa scene and it seems their prayers might be answered with our latest local sensation - the band – K-Mistry!. The group’s first album “It’s My Life” is currently available in a store near you and this independent release boasts a generous 14 original compositions.

K-Mistry has been making moves locally all winter throughout greater Boston. They’ve paired up with Djakout Mizik, T-Micky and Kreyol-La to give fans a taste of their talent and it seems they’ve garnered quite a local following so far. The formation was born in 2009 when young musicians - Riccardi Rene (Keys), Alex Mathieu (Band leader/Bassist), Clarence Rene (Lead vocals), Willenz Altenor (Lead vocals), Yves Eliscar (guitar), Stanley Jeudi (Keys), Abdias Derisme (Percussion), Kevin Merisier (Drums) and Wilgens Joseph (Congas) – combined their talents to pursue their musical ambitions.

Hyde Park Open Studios seeks artists to participate

Hyde Park Open Studios takes place Sunday, September 30, 2012. This event highlights artists and their work. It is a community-wide, family event. We invite resident-artists from the Haitian Community of Hyde Park to join us. Registration takes place during the month of June. For more information, call Tommey at 617.784.8260; write to hydeparkos@gmail.com; or visit our website at hydeparkopenstudios.org

Parade, Flag Day highlight Heritage Month in Boston

Unity parade set for May 20: The annual parade features marching bands, floats, dancers and dignitaries- all celebrating Haitian and Haitian-American culture. Photo by Don West Unity parade set for May 20: The annual parade features marching bands, floats, dancers and dignitaries- all celebrating Haitian and Haitian-American culture. Photo by Don WestHaitian-Americans United Inc. organizes the celebrations each year of Haitian Heritage Month in Boston, Massachusetts. H.A.U. and its partner organizations continue to focus on “Unity” as a central theme for each event; while evoking the spirit and the determination of the ancestors that led Haiti’s independence on January 1st 1804.

The Haitian Heritage theme for this year is: Haiti counts on its Diaspora and Friends: Unified to support Education and Reconstruction. As to previous years, H.A.U. will coordinate three major events for the Haitian Heritage Month with one in collaboration with Haitian-American State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry.

'Fugitive' indicted for double murder of sisters last year

Jean Weevens Janvier: Indicted for killing Emile sisters last year. A Suffolk County Grand Jury has indicted a former Boston man in the Nov. 2011 double-murder of two Haitian-American sisters who were gunned down in their Dorchester apartment last November. The suspect, Jean Weevins Janvier, 30, has been on the run since the homicides and authorities say that they believe he's fled the country.

Prosecutors say that Janvier had been in a previous romantic relationship with Stephanie Emile, 21, who was found shot to death alongside her sister, Judith, 23, in their Harlem Street apartment on Nov. 14, 2011.

Mattapan sisters excel in classroom, as mentors to Haitian kids

Gilbert Sisters: Sisters Shaina and Gabriella Gilbert have spent the last three years volunteering at a camp that Shaina created in Haiti. Gabriella will attend Columbia University in the fall, while Shaina is presently pursuing a Master’s degree at Boston University. Gilbert Sisters: Sisters Shaina and Gabriella Gilbert have spent the last three years volunteering at a camp that Shaina created in Haiti. Gabriella will attend Columbia University in the fall, while Shaina is presently pursuing a Master’s degree at Boston University. Mattapan sisters Shaina and Gabriella Gilbert are six years apart in age, but they share the same passion for scholarship and volunteerism.

The Gilbert girls have particularly distinguished themselves by devoting their summers to teaching youth in their parents’ native Haiti.

In 2009, Shaina created a summertime leadership camp called Empowering Through Education, or ETE, which derives from the Haitian Creole word for “summer.” In its first year, the camp started with 40 students that expanded to over 100 over the past four years, teaching children how to become leaders of their communities and learn about social change.

Boston Haitian Reporter