Overview:
The Haitian Times and several partners gathered Haitian American leaders and community members from across the country for a three-day summit in Indianapolis focused on strategies for collective progress. Guided by the outlet’s “Echoes of Strength” report, the summit addressed key issues like housing, civic participation, mental health and wealth-building, marking a new era in diaspora organizing.
In a historic first, The Haitian Times convened leaders, advocates and community members from across the United States for a three-day summit in Indianapolis focused on building a collective roadmap for the Haitian diaspora’s future.
Hosted May 1 to 3 at the Global Village Welcome Center— in partnership with the Haitian American Alliance of New York (HAANY), Dieudonne Foundation, Lakou Indiana and Pillars of Haiti (PoH)—the fourth Haitian Community Summit served as both a gathering and a call to action, organizers say. Its emphasis on uniting voices from across generations and regions aimed to spur Haitian-led sustainable solutions to challenges Haitian immigrants face in the U.S.
“This summit is not just about meeting; it’s about mobilizing,” said Vania André, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Haitian Times. “We know our challenges. What we need now are blueprints, action and sustained collaboration.”
This new chapter signals that The Haitian Times’ role extends beyond reporting the news. She said the 25-year-old outlet is also “an organizer, a connector and a catalyst for change.”
At the heart of the summit was the release of Echoes of Strength: Mapping the Haitian American Experience, a groundbreaking report produced by The Haitian Times. The report’s findings, highlighting the demographic shifts, economic struggles, and resilience of Haitian communities, grounded the dialogue and inspired workshops aimed at tangible outcomes.
Over three days, more than 200 Haitian American advocates, professionals, artists and organizers from across the country came together to help establish a roadmap for the community’s future — in the Midwest and across the U.S. The summit drew participants from all sectors, including educators, elected officials, grassroots organizers and small business owners, who worked collaboratively to address critical issues such as wealth-building, political advocacy, cultural preservation and mental health.
The result was a set of tangible priorities, all rooted in a shared commitment to intentional collaboration and community-led progress. Priorities identified include: launching a community microlending fund, advancing advocacy around discriminatory driving infractions for Haitians in Indianapolis, scaling a crisis response model, supporting Haitian entrepreneurs and protecting cultural assets through copyright and trademark laws. Participants also committed to continued collaboration through regular cross-state civic meetings.
“There are a lot of conferences for Haiti, but they are mainly summaries on what’s been done in prior years,” said Wolf Pamphile, founder and executive director of Haiti Policy House. “This one is focused on creating something and meeting next year to see what we’ve done.”
Solutions and actions uplifted
In interactive workshops, participants also explored solutions like creating local co-ops, strengthening civic participation at the local level, and establishing bilingual education programs that maintain cultural identity. Each workshop was facilitated by a team leader and the group was tasked with identifying two to three concrete priorities to pursue after the summit. Those outcomes will be codified as part of the post-summit work required to keep the momentum going in between gatherings.
Facilitators included New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph; Ronald Cetoute, founder of the Atlanta Haitian American Chamber of Commerce; fashion designer Berny Martin, CEO of Catou Wear; and Pamphile, who facilitated a workshop on political advocacy and civic engagement in Haitian communities.
“We need the Haitian diaspora here, we need Haitians here to understand the power they have in terms of civic engagement,” he said.
Speakers also emphasized the importance of communities telling their own stories, institution-building and pursuing solutions, no matter how small or daunting. They also urged attendees to look to effective models from other marginalized groups.
“There’s a tendency for people to speak for you [immigrants], so our responsibility is to tell our real stories,” said Viles Dorsainvil, executive director and co-founder of the Haitian Support Center in Springfield.
Dorsainvil participated in a fireside chat with The Haitian Times’ special projects editor, Macollvie J. Neel, about staying in solidarity with the Haitian community in Ohio after it was targeted last year.
Several topics also delved into the need to recognize certain obstacles that communities must address internally to move forward, such as infighting and energy turned toward Haiti that often deplete community members financially and emotionally.
Dr. Evan Auguste, a University of Massachusetts assistant professor of psychology, presented a well-received, dynamic session about infighting. He included breakout groups in his group as a way for participants to start practicing holding tough conversations as a collective.
“Personally, I think it [the summit] was an amazing experience, especially with different business owners being exposed to sharing the same feelings about the issues that a lot in our community are facing,” said Marlaine Evariste, a small business owner, paralegal and retired nurse in Indianapolis. “The lack of education and resources has hindered a lot in our community in Indianapolis and Indiana as a whole.”
Evariste, owner of ME Motion LLC, added: “This should’ve been something that people should want to come together for and make a difference.”
A shift in geography — and strategy
Hosting the summit in Indianapolis, rather than traditional Haitian enclaves like New York or Miami, was a deliberate decision the organizing team made. The Midwest has emerged as a new center of Haitian American life, with populations growing in cities like Indianapolis.
“We are witnessing a redefinition of what it means to be Haitian in America,” said Yolette Williams, executive director of HAA. “By gathering here, we’re recognizing the new geography of our diaspora and planting a flag for collective progress.”
Mayor Joe Hogsett, who delivered opening remarks on the first day of the summit, said in an interview with The Haitian Times that the Haitian presence is certainly welcome in the city.
“Communities are empowered when we lift up the diversity and the cultural understanding that comes with supporting immigration,” Hogsett said. “Here in Indianapolis, regardless of your background or where you’re from, you are always welcome here. We see that as a strength for our city, not a weakness.”