Erick Jean remembered fondly as mentor to city youth

Erick JeanErick JeanErick Jean, a Haitian-American mentor and dedicated community servant, passed away on September 15, 2010 at age 48. Jean was a graduate of Boston Trade School and a college graduate of Northeastern University. While enrolled at Northeastern, Erick pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, Chi Chapter. He remained very active and worked hard to represent the fraternity’s mission and values throughout his community service. Erick earned his law degree from Suffolk University Law School and became the first Haitian-American to have a law firm in the downtown Boston area. He practiced law for nine years. He started a law firm, Jackson and Jean, one of the premier African-American real estate law firms, servicing banks such as Bank of Boston and Fleet Bank.

UMass focuses on improving and rebuilding Higher Education in Haiti

The higher education system in Haiti, which faced numerous structural challenges and academic difficulties prior to the earthquake last January, collapsed. The major task ahead is to rebuild a higher education system conducive to the future economic, political, and social development of the country. Improving and rebuilding Haiti’s education system, particularly higher education, is at the core of helping the country to realize progress and strengthen its evolving democracy.

Haiti Initiative launched at Brown University

Edwidge Danticat speaks at Brown University, Oct. 4, 2010Edwidge Danticat speaks at Brown University, Oct. 4, 2010On Monday October 4th, Brown University launched a Haitian Initiative with two special events featuring Edwidge Danticat, acclaimed Haitian-American author and Paul Farmer, UN Deputy Special Envoy to Haiti and co-founder of Partners in Health. The University’s Department of Africana Studies also announced a new visiting fellow, Haitian recording artist Wyclef Jean.

Wyclef’s bully pulpit could be put to better use

On November 28, Haiti faces one of the most important elections since its first democratic election in 1990. Wyclef Jean’s run for President of Haiti was entertaining and brought a few weeks of limelight to the crucial elections. Before the media attention dies, a few minutes should be spent talking about the real issues involved – that the elections, which will provide the political foundation and accountability for the use of earthquake recovery funds, will likely be a sham.

Deval Patrick for Governor

BHR October 2010BHR October 2010The Boston Haitian Reporter, the region's leading source for news and information in the Haitian-American community, endorsed the re-election of Gov. Deval Patrick in its October edition, in circulation on Oct. 8. The full text of the endorsement follows: Four years ago, this newspaper endorsed the candidacy of Deval Patrick because of what we saw in him: the promise of a transformational leader who would bring change to state government. This month, we endorse his candidacy for a more concrete reason: because he has earned it. Gov. Patrick has guided the Commonwealth through the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. He has done it with poise, professionalism and with a sense of purpose that has paid off: Massachusetts’ economy is now growing at twice the rate of the rest of the nation. While unemployment remains high following the global financial meltdown of 2008, the Commonwealth has added jobs in the last six consecutive months and there are many other encouraging signs that the state is positioned to leap past most other states in job creation. None of that is accidental. Patrick has shepherded Massachusetts through the most severe crisis of the last half-century and he has distinguished himself and his administration in the process. Even while managing a fiscal crisis of historic proportions, Gov. Patrick was able to assemble an impressive list of accomplishments:

Martelly speaks on his presidential aspirations at Boston fundraiser

Martelly campaigns in Boston: The candidate greeted a young supporter at his Oct. 9 rally in Dorchester.Martelly campaigns in Boston: The candidate greeted a young supporter at his Oct. 9 rally in Dorchester.Over 200 people attended a rally in support of Haitian presidential candidate Michel Martelly last night at the Boston Teachers Union hall in Dorchester. The performer-turned-politician spoke for more than a hour to an enthusiastic audience, many of whom lined up for autographs and for a chance to ask the candidate a question.

St. Fleur's old House seat won by Henriquez

Carlos Henriquez narrowly beat out Barry Lawton last week to secure the Democratic nomination for the Fifth Suffolk state representative's seat left vacant earlier this year by Marie St. Fleur. Henriquez had run twice before for Boston City Council. This was Lawton's third try at the House seat. He came in second to St. Fleur in the 1999 special election which made St. Fleur the state's first elected official of Haitian descent. St.

Manolia Charlotin joins staff of the Haitian Reporter

Manolia CharlotinManolia CharlotinManolia Charlotin has joined the staff of the Boston Haitian Reporter as Editor and Business Manager. Manolia is a social entrepreneur, advocate and community organizer who has worked in community development, immigrant civic engagement, political campaigns, youth organizing and cultural awareness for the last 10 years.  She is the co-founder of Haiti 2015, a grassroots campaign to advance access to opportunities in Haiti, whose launch in January, connected community-based organizations all across Haiti. “The Reporter is excited to have Manolia Charlotin join our team,” said Reporter Managing Editor and co-founder Bill Forry. “Manolia will be charged with developing new business opportunities and editorial content for the Reporter. She will also take the lead in engaging the broader community in the work of the Reporter Newspapers. Her breadth of experience and contacts in organizing, particularly in the Haitian-American community makes her a tremendous addition to the Reporter team.”

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