Haiti's first Cardinal comes to Boston this weekend

Cardinal Chibly Langlois, the first Cardinal named from Haiti, will be the main celebrant at this weekend's annual Mass to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 22 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica (Mission church), 1545 Tremont St. Boston. Cardinal Langlois, who is from the Lavalle area near Jacmel, was named to the College of Cardinals this year by Pope Francis.

Second wave of Haitian nursing students arrive at Regis College

Regis College Haiti Project Advisory Board gathers this week to meet the second wave of Haitian nursing educators doing their summer semester on the College’s Weston campus. The first cohort graduated under Regis College mentorship from the University of Haiti in Port au Prince in February. They were the first Master’s in Science in Nursing professionals educated in a joint project between Haitian hospital schools of nursing, the Haitian ministry of health, and Regis College. Several of the first graduates are back on campus this month helping to mentor the next group.

Prime Minister Lamothe addresses recovery in Boston speech

Prime Minister Visits Boston: PM Laurent Lamothe, Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, former State Rep. Marie St. Fleur, and Boston Mayor Martin Walsh at a Boston Foundation forum on Thursday, June 5. Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe visited Boston yesterday to speak at Haiti Funders Conference at the Boston Foundation. Lamothe, who was appointed prime minister in May 2012, was introduced by Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry (D-Boston), and gave an address entitled “The Priorities of the Government of Haiti and Alignment of Private Philanthropic Efforts for Lasting Impact."

Get help renewing Temporary Protected Status at IIIC

In March and April, the Irish International Immigrant Center assisted 165 Haitian individuals and families renew their Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) with many having already been approved and received their work permits. TPS also provides eligibility for in-state tuition. When renewal of Temporary Protect Status for Haitians was announced in March 2014, a full month earlier than expected, the IIIC immediately responded in order to smoothly handle the renewal period.

BPL celebrates Haitian Independence with exhibitions, panel talk

Toussaint L'Ouverture cut-out in the Haitian ParadeAn exhibition featuring artworks that honor Haitian revolutionary Toussaint Louverture is on display at the Mattapan Branch, located at 1350 Blue Hill Avenue, through July 18. On Tuesday, May 27, a reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Mattapan Branch to celebrate the exhibition. The reception includes poetry readings, testimonials, and light refreshments. At the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street, the exhibition The Soul of a Man: Toussaint Louverture & the Haitian Slave Revolt opens in the Rare Books Lobby on Tuesday, June 17, and runs through September 30 of this year. The Central Library exhibition tells the compelling story of Toussaint Louverture, a leader of the armed resistance against colonization and slavery and his significant role in the future of a free Haiti. "Boston Public Library welcomes researchers, visitors, and academics to view the materials that played a critical role in the freedom and development of Haiti," said Susan Glover, Keeper of Special Collections. A panel discussion and slideshow featuring Toussaint Louverture's historical impact and his influence on the abolitionist movement and popular culture in the United States will be held on Tuesday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. in Rabb Lecture Hall at the Central Library in Copley Square. Panelists include Boston Public Library Trustee and State Representative Byron Rushing, Dr. Marc Prou of the University of Massachusetts, Professor Patricia Hills of Boston University, and moderators Marie St. Fleur and Dr. Nesly Metayer. Representatives from the Boston City Council, the NAACP, and State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry will join the panel for special remarks.

Unity Parade starts at 1p.m. in Mattapan Square

Unity parade starts at 1p.m. in Mattapan Square: The annual parade features marching bands, floats, dancers and dignitaries- all celebrating Haitian and Haitian-American culture. Photo by Don WestThe annual Haitian Unity Parade begins today at 1p.m. in Mattapan Square on Blue Hill Ave. and follows a route to Talbot Avenue. Watch for road closures between River Street and Talbot between 1-3 p.m. More than 200 local organizations, schools and businesses from all over New England are expected to participate. The parade will be led by Henry Milorin of Medford, Mass, a respected Haitian American US Army Retired as Grand Marshall for this year. The event will feature lead sponsors Mayor Martin Walsh, State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, Former State Representative Marie St. Fleur, and host of city and state public officials.

Haitian Heritage Month Celebration at the Irish International Immigrant Center

Please join the Irish International Immigrant Center in celebrating Haitian Heritage Month as we recognize the importance of the countries and cultures within our community. Featuring: Compa dancing lessons| Haitian- Creole language activities| Trivia and many more fun activities. Please RSVP with Johanne Meleance at jmeleance@iiicenter.org

Haitian-American elected officials press State Department on cholera epidemic suit

Haitian-American elected officials are raising concerns that the United Nations, charged with peacekeeping mandate in Haiti, may try to prevent the nation’s cholera epidemic victims from taking the organization to court. In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry and other Haitian-American elected officials urged the President Obama’s top diplomat to support their efforts to take the U.N. to court.

Human rights lawyers will be honored for Haiti work

On Sunday, March 23rd, community activists will gather at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem to celebrate the 22nd annual Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice. The award will be presented to Mario Joseph and Brian Concannon, Jr. in recognition of their work to promote human rights in Haiti.

Senator Forry to host a 'breakfast of firsts' in South Boston

A year ago, she was in the thick of a special election to succeed Jack Hart in the state Senate. Now Linda Dorcena Forry, who eked out a win for the Senate seat, is in the middle of another campaign: Putting together the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast in South Boston.

Boston Haitian Reporter