Music.
Art. Sports.
Fashion.
"Our plan, is to get a can, in EVERYONES hand!" - Founder Roy Edwards III
Key Historical Connections and Migration Waves
- Revolutionary Ties: The 1791–1804 Haitian Revolution, which established the first free Black republic, was supported by hundreds of free Haitians who fought for the American side in the 1779 Siege of Savannah.
- The Louisiana Purchase: The defeat of French forces in Haiti (1803) directly compelled Napoleon to sell the Louisiana Territory to the U.S..
- Early Immigration: Following the revolution, refugees, including slave owners and freed people, settled in cities like New Orleans, Philadelphia, and New York.
- U.S. Occupation (1915–1934): The U.S. occupied Haiti for 19 years, causing significant casualties (3,200 Haitians) and fostering economic dependency, which later influenced migration.
- Modern Migration: The 1960s–70s saw an influx of professionals fleeing the Duvalier dictatorship, followed by "boat people" in the 1980s and further immigration after the 2004 overthrow of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
Cultural and Economic Impact
- Harlem Renaissance: During the 1920s and 1930s, Haitian artists and intellectuals were active participants in the Harlem Renaissance in New York.
- Economic Impact: The Haitian immigrant population is the fourth-largest Caribbean group in the U.S..
- Cultural Influence: Haitian traditions are deeply embedded in New Orleans and New York, ranging from religious practices to contributions in literature and politics
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