Haitian Community of Tennessee

02/06/2026

01/13/2026

January 12th 2010 - January 12th 2026

A Day of Remembrance

Today marks 16 years since the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.
A day that changed our nation forever. A day of unimaginable loss, pain, and heartbreak.

We remember the lives that were lost, the families forever changed, and the resilience of a people who refused to give up. In the midst of destruction, Haiti showed the world strength, courage, faith, and unity.

As we pause today, we honor the memories of those we lost, pray for continued healing, and recommit ourselves to love, compassion, and hope for Haiti’s future.

Haiti lives on—in our hearts, our prayers, and our perseverance.

Never forgotten. Always remembered.

01/02/2026

Happy New Year 2026!!
Happy Haitian Independence Day! 🇭🇹🔥

Today, we proudly commemorate the 222nd anniversary of Haiti’s independence, the revolutionary triumph that gave birth to the world’s first Black-led republic, the first independent nation in the Caribbean, and only the second independent state in the entire Western Hemisphere after the United States. That victory was no ordinary feat; it shattered the chains of slavery, defied the most powerful empires of the time, and forever rewrote what was possible for oppressed people everywhere.

In 2026, as we wave flags and raise our voices in celebration, we also hold space for the heavy truth: Haiti is still fighting against instability, injustice, and systemic neglect. But history has taught us that our struggles have never defined the Haitian people; we are defined by how we rise above them.

This anniversary is both a powerful reminder and a renewed call to action.
Let the unbreakable spirit of our ancestors, Dessalines, Louverture, and countless others, ignite something fierce in us today.

Let it fuel a fresh commitment to:
• Unity across every divide
• Collective healing and justice
• Real investment in education, opportunity, and infrastructure
• A Haiti that belongs to Haitians first

To every Haitian at home, in the diaspora, and in every corner of the globe:
You are the living continuation of this extraordinary legacy. The revolution is not finished; it lives in our choices, our solidarity, and our refusal to give up on Ayiti.

Here’s to a 2026 filled with courage, renewed hope, unbreakable unity, and meaningful progress for Haiti and all her children worldwide.
Nou se pèp ki fò. Nou se Ayiti. 🇭🇹💙❤️

12/27/2025

Haiti First Olympic female swimmer!
Naomi Grand'Pierre 🇭🇹

12/27/2025

12/27/2025

In a decision announced on December 8, Florida Governor appointed to serve as a judge on the Circuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, covering . This appointment fills the vacancy left by the August 15 resignation of Judge Gary M. Farmer Jr.

Judge Achille brings an impressive and well-rounded legal background to the bench. For the past 12 years, she served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Broward County State Attorney’s Office, including her assignment to the demanding Homicide Trial Unit since 2018. Prior to that, she worked in specialized units handling sexual battery cases and career criminal prosecutions, roles that require deep legal knowledge, precision, and a strong sense of ethical responsibility.

Before joining the prosecution team, Achille spent eight years as a civil attorney, managing cases under both federal and Florida state law. During this period, she drafted appellate briefs and argued before the Second and Fifth District Courts of Appeal, gaining valuable expertise in procedure, legal analysis, and courtroom advocacy. This diverse experience spanning prosecution, civil litigation, trial work, and appeals gives the new judge a comprehensive and balanced perspective on the justice system.

A graduate of Florida State University and Nova Southeastern University College of Law, Judge Achille is a longtime resident of Broward County. In her statement following the appointment, she expressed gratitude: “I am truly grateful to the Governor’s Office and the Judicial Nominating Commission for the privilege of serving the people as a circuit court judge. It has been an honor to serve Broward County as an Assistant State Attorney in the Homicide Trial Unit.”

This appointment also carries important symbolic weight for the Haitian-American community in South Florida, which has a significant presence in Broward County. Judge Achille's appointment reinforces the growing integration and success of Haitian-Americans in Florida's judicial institutions, while emphasizing that justice is best served by those with the strongest qualifications, regardless of background or ideology.

12/27/2025

Change.org petition launched urging release of Carel Pedre

A Change.org petition urging the release of journalist Carel Pedre from ICE detention is nearing its signature goal.

Read more on: https://haitiantimes.com/2025/12/27/change-org-petition-launched-release-carel-pedre/

12/24/2025

From our local Haitian communities to the highest court in the land. 🏛️🇺🇸

On December 8, 2025, ten of our members took a historic step in their legal careers. We are proud to share that this group, featuring eight of our board members, has been officially admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Admission to the Supreme Court Bar is more than a title, it signifies that these attorneys are now qualified to practice before the highest court in the nation. This achievement is a testament to years of relentless dedication, proving that our leadership is committed to the highest standards of the American legal system.

Please join us in celebrating our Inaugural U.S. Supreme Court Inductees:

1. Geralda David
2. Emmanuella Telfort
3. Loune-Djenia Askew
4. Samuel Rony
5. Edna Pierre .phoenix.rises
6. Frandley Julien
7. Katianna Mazard
8. Eddy Laguerre
9. Vladimir St. Louis
10. Ty Hinnant

A special thank you for the incredible support of Michaèl’s Déborah Saint-Vil and Francesse Lucius Cheron . Thank you for your invaluable guidance and for being so instrumental in navigating the application process for our members!

This landmark moment strengthens our voice. We are beyond proud and your HLA family celebrates this incredible leap forward with you! 🏛️✨

12/01/2025

🕊️💔🙏🏾 In a heartbreaking act of selflessness that has left their community reeling, two sisters, Frantzia Fleury and Pojanee “PJ” Fleury, died on Thanksgiving after rushing back into their blazing family home to save their disabled father. The tragedy unfolded around 5 p.m. on November 27, at the family’s two-story residence on the 600 block of Mosswood Avenue in Orange.⁠
⁠
According to a spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, flames erupted suddenly on the second floor, engulfing the house where eight relatives had gathered for the holiday meal. Frantzia, 49, a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had transitioned into a career as an X-ray technician, and her younger sister Pojanee, 42, a trailblazing publisher and inventor, sprang into action. Their father, an elderly man battling dementia and confined to a wheelchair, was unable to flee on his own.⁠
⁠
Eyewitness accounts from family members and neighbors paint a vivid picture of chaos and courage. “The smoke was thick, and you could hear the crackling everywhere,” one relative told ABC7 New York, her voice breaking. As the group initially evacuated, Frantzia and Pojanee realized their father was still inside. Without hesitation, the sisters re-entered the inferno, guiding him through the smoke-filled halls to safety. Tragically, they were overcome by the flames and toxic fumes before they could escape themselves. Firefighters arrived within minutes, but the sisters were pronounced dead at the scene at 6:47 p.m.⁠
⁠
Their father, though shaken and suffering from smoke inhalation, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he is now fighting to recover. Six other family members, ranging from young children to adults, escaped uninjured, a small mercy amid the devastation.⁠
⁠
Fire Chief of the City of Orange noted the rapid spread of the blaze, attributing it to the home’s age, typical of the area’s older multifamily structures, and its location in a densely populated area. Investigators from the prosecutor’s office and local fire marshals are probing the origin, with preliminary reports pointing to an accidental electrical fault. ⁠
⁠
🎥 ⁠

11/24/2025

Make your choice for Melchie Dumornay as BEST WOMEN'S PLAYER at https://vote.globesoccer.com/vote/best-women-player-2025/! 🗳️

08/25/2025