List of Haïtians
Encyclopedia
This is a list of Haitians, notable people from Haiti
and persons of Haitian ancestry living abroad, including Haitian-Americans and Haitian-Canadians. The list includes people recognized for artistic, cultural, economic, historical, criminal, and political reasons, among others. If not indicated here, their Haitian heritage and notability is contained in their main article. This list does not include fictional characters or Haitian associations and organizations.
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
and persons of Haitian ancestry living abroad, including Haitian-Americans and Haitian-Canadians. The list includes people recognized for artistic, cultural, economic, historical, criminal, and political reasons, among others. If not indicated here, their Haitian heritage and notability is contained in their main article. This list does not include fictional characters or Haitian associations and organizations.
Artists
- Gesner AbelardGesner AbelardGesner Abelard, is a Haitian painter and sculptor. Born in Port-au-Prince, Abelard began life as a mechanic, then studied painting and sculpture at the Industrial School of Port-au-Prince under the painter Humberman Charles. He became a member of the Haitian Centre d'Art in 1948...
- Jean-Michel BasquiatJean-Michel BasquiatJean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist. His career in art began as a graffiti artist in New York City in the late 1970s, and in the 1980s produced Neo-expressionist painting.-Early life:...
, acclaimed painter (Haitian father) - Rigaud BenoitRigaud BenoitRigaud Benoit had become, well before his death, one of the three or four most highly prized Haitian artists.A native of Port-au-Prince, Benoit had been a shoemaker, musician, and taxi driver before making his living as a painter...
- Préfète DuffautPréfète DuffautPréfète Duffaut is a Haitian painter. Born near Jacmel , where he lives and works, The painter Pauleus Vital was Duffaut's half-brother, the painter Jean Charles Duffaut is his son...
- Jacques-Enguerrand GourgueJacques-Enguerrand GourgueJacques-Enguerrand Gourgue was one of Haiti's most renowned painters in the 20th century.A Port-au-Prince native, Gourgue began painting at an early age and eventually had his works exhibited throughout Europe and the Americas. His father was a French psychiatrist, and his mother a Haitian vodou...
- Alexandre GregoireAlexandre GrégoireAlexandre Grégoire was a Haitian painter who typically depicted scenes of Vodou, daily life, and historical events in the naïve style....
- Hector HyppoliteHector HyppoliteHector Hyppolite was a Haitian painter. Born in Saint-Marc, Hyppolite was a third generation Vodou priest, or houngan. He also made shoes and painted houses before taking up fine art painting, which he did untrained. Hyppolite spent five years outside of Haiti from 1915-1920...
- Philomé ObinPhilome obinPhilomé Obin was a Haitian painter. He was arguably the greatest of all Haitian artists - his main rival for that accolade is fellow painter Hector Hyppolite....
- Prosper Pierre-LouisProsper Pierre-LouisProsper Pierre-Louis , Haitian artist, painter; one of the main contributors to the local school of Saint Soleil art movement. His paintings depicting mystical Vodou Loas and spirits are especially noteworthy....
- Petion SavainPetion SavainPetion Savain was a prolific Haïtian artist and writer.Savain was born in Port-au-Prince and studied at the Haïtian School of Agronomy from which received a degree in law. He began painting in his early years and by his early 30s he was also the author of one book, La Case de Damballah...
Athletes
- Joachim AlcineJoachim AlcineJoachim Alcine is a Haitian-Canadian professional boxer fighting out of Montreal, Quebec, where he now resides.-Pro career:...
, professional boxer - Josmer Altidore, soccer player, AZ Alkmaar
- Yvenson BernardYvenson BernardYvenson Bernard [EVAN-son] is a professional Canadian football running back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, collegiate football player - Andre BertoAndre BertoAndre Michael Berto is a Haitian-American professional boxer. On June 21, 2008, Berto became the WBC welterweight champion by defeating Miguel Rodriguez by seventh round technical knockout. He lost his WBC welterweight title on April 16, 2011 to Victor Ortiz via unanimous decision...
, professional boxer - Samuel DalembertSamuel DalembertSamuel Davis Dalembert is a Haitian Canadian professional basketball player who most recently played center for the NBA's Sacramento Kings. Dalembert began playing in Montreal, Quebec and played college basketball at Seton Hall University in New Jersey, United States...
, basketball player - Rudy DoliscatRudy DoliscatRudy Doliscat is a former professional Canadian soccer defender.-Club career:Doliscat made his pro debut in the Canadian Soccer League with the Montreal Supra. After the team folded he joined the Montreal Impact. He was a member of the Impact’s inaugural edition in 1993, where he played 20 games...
- Dudley DorivalDudley DorivalDudley Dorival is a Haitian hurdler. He was born in Elizabeth, United States.Dorival attended and competed at the University of Connecticut...
- Quincy DoubyQuincy DoubyQuincy Douby is an Haitian-American professional basketball player who last played for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers. At 6'3", 175 lb, Douby played shooting guard for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights...
, NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
basketball player - Mario ElieMario ElieMario Antoine Elie is an American former professional basketball player and coach. Currently, he works as an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings.-Early life and career:...
, former Houston RocketsHouston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
guard - Nadine Faustin-ParkerNadine Faustin-ParkerNadine Faustin-Parker is a Haitian hurdler. She has represented her country at three Summer Olympics ....
- Joe GaetjensJoe GaetjensJoseph Edouard Gaetjens was a Haitian soccer player who played for the United States national team in the 1950 FIFA World Cup, scoring the winning goal in the 1–0 upset of England.- Early life :...
, professional soccer player - Shad GaspardShad GaspardShad Chad Javier Romane Chittick Gaspard is an American professional wrestler of Haitian and Curaçaon descent, currently signed with Inoki Genome Federation...
, professional wrestler - Jerrod LaventureJerrod LaventureJerrod Laventure is an American-born Haitian footballer currently playing for Jersey Express in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
, soccer player - David LoiseauDavid LoiseauDavid Loiseau is a Canadian mixed martial artist from Montreal, Quebec. He has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, EliteXC, and TKO Major League MMA and is the former TKO Middleweight Champion. He was the first French Canadian to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
, martial-arts expert - Olivier OcceanOlivier OcceanOlivier Occean is a Canadian footballer player who currently plays for SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga.-College soccer:...
, professional soccer player - Jean PascalJean PascalJean-Thenistor Pascal is a Canadian professional boxer. He is the former WBC, IBO and Ring magazine light heavyweight champion of the world.-Early life:...
, Professional Boxer, Light Heavyweight Champion - Jean-Philippe Peguero, professional soccer player
- Olden PolyniceOlden PolyniceOlden Polynice is a Haitian former professional basketball player. He played center for the Seattle SuperSonics, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association.-Career:After graduating from All Hallows High School in the Bronx,...
, former Utah JazzUtah JazzThe Utah Jazz is a professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They are currently a part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
NBA player - Bruny SurinBruny SurinBruny Surin is a Canadian athlete, winner of a gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 2008 he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 1996 Summer Olympics 4x100 relay team.-Career:...
Professional American football players
- Stanley ArnouxStanley ArnouxStanley Arnoux is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wake Forest....
, New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
linebacker - Cliff AvrilCliff AvrilClifford Samuel Avril is a defensive end for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue.-Early years:...
Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
defensive end - D'Anthony BatisteD'Anthony BatisteD'Anthony Batiste is an American football offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Bossier-Shreveport Battle Wings in 2006...
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
offensive tackle - Jacques CesaireJacques CesaireJacques E. Cesaire is an American football defensive end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Southern Connecticut State.-Early years:Cesaire graduated from Gardner High School in...
, San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive end - Junior GaletteJunior GaletteJunior Galette is an American football defensive end and linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Saints in 2010...
, New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
defensive end - Gosder CherilusGosder CherilusGosder Cherilus is an American football offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions 17th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College.- Family :...
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
offensive tackle - Antonio CromartieAntonio CromartieAntonio Cromartie is an American football cornerback for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers 19th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft...
, New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
cornerback - Dominique Rodgers-CromartieDominique Rodgers-Cromartie-Arizona Cardinals:Rodgers-Cromartie was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. On July 25, he signed a 5-year, $15.1 million contract with the team that includes $9 million in guarantees. Rodgers-Cromartie was named the starting nickelback for the 2008 season, behind...
, Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
cornerback - Louis DelmasLouis DelmasLouis Delmas is an American Football safety that plays for the Detroit Lions.-Early life and high school career:Delmas played high school football at North Miami Beach High School in North Miami Beach, Florida....
, Detroit LionsDetroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
safety - Vladimir DucasseVladimir Ducasse-New York Jets:Immediately after the Jets selected Ducasse, they released Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca. Ducasse and Matt Slauson, a second-year backup, will compete for Faneca's old job in training camp....
, professional American football player - Elvis DumervilElvis Dumervil-Denver Broncos:Dumervil was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan stated that he planned to keep Dumervil at defensive end....
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
outside linebacker - Pierre GarçonPierre GarconPierre Garçon is an American football wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. Garcon is of Haitian descent.- High school career...
, Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
wide receiver - Ricky Jean-FrancoisRicky Jean-FrancoisRicky Barkley Jean-Francois is a professional American football nose tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. He played collegiately at Louisiana State.-College career:...
, San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
defensive lineman - Max Jean-GillesMax Jean-GillesMax Jean-Gilles is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
offensive guard - Rashad JeantyRashad JeantyRashad Jeanty is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League after he went undrafted in 2002. After playing four seasons with the Eskimos, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL in 2006. He was a...
, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
outside linebacker - Carlos JosephCarlos JosephCarlos Joseph is a former American football offensive tackle who was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 2004. Joseph is a Haitian-American.-References:...
– American NFL player - Davin JosephDavin JosephDavin Joseph is an American football guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Buccaneers 23rd overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oklahoma.-Early years:Joseph played high school football at Hallandale High School...
, Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
offensive guard - William JosephWilliam Joseph (American football)William Joseph is a free agent American football defensive tackle who last played for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
, Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive tackle - Vernand MorencyVernand MorencyVernand Morency is a former American football running back who played in the NFL.-Biography:Vernand Morency grew up in Miami, Florida where his parents, immigrants from Haiti, had him working in their family real estate business from the age of 5...
, former football player - Steve OctavienSteve OctavienSteven Octavien is an American football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Nebraska....
, Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
linebacker - Jason Pierre-PaulJason Pierre-PaulJason Pierre-Paul is an American football defensive end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. His nickname is JPP. He was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, Defensive end New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jonal Saint-DicJonal Saint-DicJonal Saint-Dic is an American football defensive end formerly with the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Michigan State.-Personal:...
, former football player - Jonathan Vilma, New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
linebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Hockey
- Georges LaraqueGeorges LaraqueGeorges Laraque is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens before his contract was bought out in 2010. He is also a host for CFRN and deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada. During his NHL career he played for the Edmonton Oilers,...
, professional hockey player - Claude VilgrainClaude VilgrainClaude Vilgrain is a retired Haitian-born Canadian ice hockey player. He played in 89 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, and Philadelphia Flyers. He was raised in Quebec City, Quebec.-External links:...
, professional hockey player
Authors
- Lylah M. AlphonseLylah M. AlphonseLylah M. Alphonse is an American journalist. Her mother is a Parsi from India and her father is from Haiti. The eldest of three children, Alphonse attended Princeton Day School.A graduate of the S.I...
– American journalist - Carl BrouardCarl BrouardCarl Brouard was a Haitian poet. He is best known for his compilation of poems entitled Ecrit sur du Ruban Rose....
– poet - Edwidge Danticat – American author
- René DepestreRené DepestreRené Depestre is a Haitian poet and communist. He lived in Cuba as an exile from the Duvalier regime for many years and was a founder of the Casa de las Americas publishing house. He is best known for his poetry.-Life:...
– poet and communist - Jean DominiqueJean DominiqueJean Léopold Dominique was a noted Haïtian journalist who spoke out against successive dictatorships. He was one of the first people in Haïti to broadcast in Kreyòl, the language spoken by most of the populace...
, murdered journalist - Roger DorsinvilleRoger DorsinvilleRoger Dorsinville was a Haitian poet, journalist, novelist, politician, and diplomat. Born in Port-au-Prince, Dorsinville attended military school before serving as the Minister of Public Health and ambassador to Venezuela...
– poet, journalist, novelist, politician, and diplomat - Alexandre Dumas, pèreAlexandre Dumas, pèreAlexandre Dumas, , born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie was a French writer, best known for his historical novels of high adventure which have made him one of the most widely read French authors in the world...
- Franck Étienne
- FrankétienneFrankétienneFrankétienne is an author, poet, playwright, musician and painter. He has written in both French and Haitian creole...
– author, poet, playwright, musician and painter - Nathalie HandalNathalie HandalNathalie Handal is a French-American poet and playwright of Palestinian origin. She has lived in Europe, the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Arab world.-Biography:...
- Dany LaferrièreDany LaferrièreDany Laferrière is a francophone Haitian and Canadian novelist and journalist.Born in Port-au-Prince, Haïti, and raised in Petit Goâve, Laferrière worked as a journalist in Haïti before moving to Canada in 1976...
– Canadian novelist and journalist - Jacques RoumainJacques RoumainJacques Roumain was a Haitian writer, politician, and advocate of Communism. He is considered one of the most prominent figures in Haitian literature. Although poorly known in the English-speaking world, Roumain has significant following in Europe, and is renowned in the Caribbean and Latin America...
– writer and politician - Nick StoneNick Stone (author)Nick Stone , is a British thriller writer.-Background:Born in Cambridge to historian Norman Stone and his Haitian wife,...
Historical figures
- Adélina, Empress of HaitiAdélina, Empress of HaitiAdélina Soulouque , née Leveque, was Empress Consort of Haiti from 1849 until 1859, as wife of Faustin I of Haiti.Adélina was the daughter of Marie Michel Lévêque, a Haitian of mixed-race heritage. She had a long-term relationship with Faustin Souloque for many years before the marriage ceremony....
- John James AudubonJohn James AudubonJohn James Audubon was a French-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. He was notable for his expansive studies to document all types of American birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats...
, French-American naturalist (born in Haiti) - Sanité BelairSanité BelairSuzanne Bélair, called Sanité Belair, , was an Haitian Freedom fighter and revolutionary, sergeant in the army of Toussaint Louverture....
- Georges BiassouGeorges BiassouGeorges Biassou was an early leader of the 1791 slave rising in Saint-Domingue that began the Haïtian Revolution...
– rebel slave - Boukman – Jamaican hounganHounganHoungan is the term for a male priest in the voodoo religion in Haiti . The term is derived from the Fon word "hùn gan". There are two ranks of houngan, houngan asogwe and houngan sur pwen...
- Jean-Pierre Boyer
- Henri ChristopheHenri ChristopheHenri Christophe was a key leader in the Haitian Revolution, winning independence from France in 1804. On 17 February 1807, after the creation of a separate nation in the north, Christophe was elected President of the State of Haiti...
- Jean-Jacques DessalinesJean-Jacques DessalinesJean-Jacques Dessalines was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti under the 1801 constitution. Initially regarded as Governor-General, Dessalines later named himself Emperor Jacques I of Haiti...
- Jean Baptiste Point du Sable – founder of the city of ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
- Simone Duvalier – former First LadyFirst LadyFirst Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
of Haiti - Jean FrançoisJean FrançoisJean-François Papillon was an African-born slave that had worked in the plantation of Papillon in the last decades of the 18th Century, in the North Province of Saint-Domingue...
– rebel slave - JeannotJeannotJeannot was a leader of the 1791 slave rising that began the Haïtian Revolution. With Biassou and Jean François, he was prophesied by Dutty Boukman to lead the revolution, and fought with the Spanish royalists against the French Revolutionary authorities in colonial Haiti.He launched vicious...
– rebel slave - Abner LouimaAbner LouimaAbner Louima is a Haitian who was assaulted, brutalized and forcibly sodomized with the handle of a bathroom plunger by New York City police officers after being arrested outside a Brooklyn nightclub in 1997....
– electrical engineer, security guard and victim of police brutality - Toussaint Louverture – rebel slave and military general
- François MackandalFrançois MackandalFrançois Mackandal was a Haïtian Maroon leader in Saint-Domingue. He was an African who is sometimes described as Haitian vodou priest, or houngan...
– hounganHounganHoungan is the term for a male priest in the voodoo religion in Haiti . The term is derived from the Fon word "hùn gan". There are two ranks of houngan, houngan asogwe and houngan sur pwen...
and rebel slave - Vincent OgéVincent OgéVincent Ogé was a wealthy free man of color and the instigator of a revolt against white colonial authority in French Saint-Domingue that lasted from October to December 1790 in the area outside Cap-Français, the colony's main city...
- Charlemagne PéralteCharlemagne PéralteCharlemagne Masséna Péralte was a Haitian nationalist leader who opposed the US Invasion of his country in 1915. Leading guerrilla fighters called the Cacos, he posed such a challenge to the US forces in Haiti that the occupying forces had to upgrade their presence in the country...
, nationalist leader who opposed the U.S. Invasion - Alexandre PétionAlexandre PétionAlexandre Sabès Pétion was President of the Republic of Haiti from 1806 until his death. He is considered as one of Haiti's founding fathers, together with Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and his rival Henri Christophe.-Early life:Pétion was born in Port-au-Prince to a Haitian...
, President of Haiti - Julien RaimondJulien RaimondJulien Raimond was an indigo planter in the French colony of Saint-Domingue .-Early activism:He was born a free man of color, the son of a French colonist and the mulatto daughter of a planter, in the isolated South province of the colony. Raimond owned over 100 slaves by the 1780s, and was one of...
- Sylvain SalnaveSylvain SalnaveSylvain Salnave was a Haïtian general. He was the President of Haïti from 1867 to 1869. In 1867 he was elected president after he led the overthrow of President Fabre Geffrard. During his term there were constant civil wars between the various factions.-Footnotes:...
Military leaders
- Raoul CédrasRaoul CédrasRaoul Cédras is a former military officer, and was de facto ruler of Haiti from 1991 to 1994.-Background:Cédras was educated in the United States and was a member of the US-trained Leopard Corps...
- Louis-Jodel ChamblainLouis-Jodel ChamblainLouis-Jodel Chamblain is a military leader in Haïti who has led both government troops and rebels, and is considered a notorious war criminal....
- Emmanuel ConstantEmmanuel ConstantEmmanuel Constant is the founder of FRAPH, a Haitian death squad organized in mid-1993 to terrorize supporters of exiled president Jean-Bertrand Aristide....
- Guy FrançoisGuy FrançoisGuy André François was a colonel of the armed forces of Haiti. At the height of his military career François commanded the elite Dessalines Battalion....
, colonel, accused of conspiring to overthrow the government of Haiti - Fabre GeffrardFabre GeffrardFabre-Nicholas Geffrard was a general in the Haitian army and President of Haiti from 1859 until his deposition in 1867. After collaborating in a coup to remove Faustin Soulouque from power in order to return Haiti back to social and political control of the colored elite, Geffrard was made...
- Philippe GuerrierPhilippe GuerrierPhilippe Guerrier was a career officer and general in the Haïtian Army who became President of Haïti on May 3, 1844, and died in office on April 15, 1845....
- Paul MagloirePaul MagloirePaul Eugène Magloire was a Haïtian military ruler from 1950 to 1956.Paul Magloire was born a general's son. In 1946 he participated in a successful coup against the president, Élie Lescot...
- Faustin Soulouque
Motion picture and television personalities
- Arnold AntoninArnold AntoninArnold Antonin is a Haitian film director.Man of diverse careers, Arnold Antonin is known both inside and outside of Haiti for his social, political and cultural commitment. He was honored for lifetime achievement with the Djibril Diop Mambety award at the International Film Cannes Festival in 2002...
– film director - Nadege AugustNadege AugustNadege August is an NAACP Theatre Award nominated actress of Haitian descent.-Biography:August was born in Brooklyn, New York, but was raised in Haiti from the ages of four to fourteen. In 2001, she made her feature film debut in role of Ursula, the French-speaking girlfriend of Clifton Powell, in...
, actress, producer and director - Garcelle BeauvaisGarcelle BeauvaisGarcelle Beauvais is a Haitian-American actress and former fashion model. She is best known for her roles as hotel employee Francesca "Fancy" Monroe on The WB television sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show which ran from 1996 to 2001, and as Valerie Heywood on the ABC crime drama, NYPD Blue.-Early...
, television actress (NYPD BlueNYPD BlueNYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
) - Alex DésertAlex DésertAlex Désert is a Haitian-American actor and musician most known for his roles in the TV series The Flash, Becker, and Boy Meets World...
, actor - Abner GeneceAbner GeneceAbner Genece is an award-winning actor of Haitian descent-Biography:Genece was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, but was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and Miami, Florida...
, award-winning stage actor - Jamie HectorJamie HectorJamie Hector is an Haitian-American actor who is known for his portrayal of Marlo Stanfield on the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire.- Biography :...
– American actor - Jimmy Jean-LouisJimmy Jean-LouisJimmy Jean-Louis is a Haitian actor and model best known for his role as The Haitian on the NBC television series Heroes. Born in Pétionville, he moved to Paris at a young age to pursue a modeling career. His early roles were in French musical theatre and television commercials...
, actor (film Phat GirlzPhat GirlzPhat Girlz is a 2006 comedy film released in North America on April 7, 2006. The DVD and its soundtrack was released on August 22, 2006.-Box office:...
; television series HeroesHeroes (TV series)Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring that appeared on NBC for four seasons from September 25, 2006 through February 8, 2010. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the...
) - Jessica LucasJessica LucasJessica Lucas is a Canadian actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles in Melrose Place, She's the Man and Cloverfield.-Early life:...
, actress, Melrose Place (2009 TV series)Melrose Place (2009 TV series)Melrose Place is an American television series broadcast on The CW Television Network from September 8, 2009 to April 13, 2010. The fifth series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, it is an updated version of the 1990s Fox prime time drama of the same name, featuring a group of young adults... - Trina McGee-DavisTrina McGee-DavisTrina McGee-Davis is an American actress best known for playing Angela Moore on Boy Meets World.Her mother was a classical pianist, and her father was a photographer and political activist. Because of his denouncement of Papa Doc in the 1960s and subsequent fleeing from the Haitian authorities, he...
– American actress - Luck MervilLuck MervilLuck Mervil is a Haitian-Canadian actor and singer-songwriter. He is known for his belief in Quebec independence, and was named Patriot of the Year by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society in 2005....
– Canadian actor and singer-songwriter - Raoul PeckRaoul PeckRaoul Peck is an award-winning Haitian filmmaker, of both documentary and feature films, and a political activist. Briefly, in the 1990s, he was Haiti's Minister of Culture.-Biography:...
, film director - QuddusQuddus (MTV)Benjamin Quddus Philippe, popularly known as simply Quddus, is a Canadian MTV VJ and former host of the MTV show, Total Request Live. He was also the host of Dance on Sunset with Nick 6 which included: Johnny Erasme, Shane Harper, Aubree Storm, Ashley Galvan, Karen Chuang, and Hefa Tuita. Also on...
– Canadian VJ for MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs.... - Daphnee Duplaix Samuel – American actress
Musicians and singers
- Toto BissaintheToto BissaintheMarie Clotilde "Toto" Bissainthe was a Haïtian actress and singer known for her innovative blend of traditional Vodou and rural themes and music with contemporary lyricism and arrangements. Born in Cap-Haïtien in 1934, she left Haïti at an early age to pursue her studies abroad...
, Hfolk music artist - Joanne BorgellaJoanne BorgellaJoanne Borgella is an American singer, songwriter, actress, jewelry designer and she is signed to Wilhelmina Models in New York City, Miami and LA...
- singer, songwriter, actor - Alexandrine-Caroline BranchuAlexandrine-Caroline BranchuAlexandrine-Caroline Branchu was a French opera soprano. She was born in Cap-Haïtien, Haïti at a time when Haiti was a French colony...
– French opera soprano - Frantz CasseusFrantz CasseusFrantz Casseus was a Haitian guitarist and composer.Although born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti he spent most of his adult life in the United States. His music maintained a focus on Haitian folk forms, which he incorporated into his recordings and his published compositions...
, guitarist and composer - Manno CharlemagneManno CharlemagneManno Charlemagne, born 1948, is a Haitian political folk singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist, lifelong political activist and former politician. He recorded his political chansons in both French and in Creole. He lived abroad in exile twice, both during the 1980s and again during the years...
– political folk singer - Régine ChassagneRégine ChassagneRégine Chassagne is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist musician and singer, and a founding member of the band Arcade Fire. She is married to co-founder Win Butler.-Life and career:...
, singer and multi-instrumentalist for the Arcade Fire - Jason DeruloJason DeruloJason Joel Desrouleaux , better known by his stage name Jason Derülo, is an American singer-songwriter, actor and dancer. After producing records for several artists and writing songs for Cash Money Records, co-founder of the label Birdman, Young Money Entertainment owner Lil Wayne and rapper...
– American singer - DJ Whoo KidDJ Whoo KidDJ Whoo Kid is a hip hop DJ and of Haitian descent raised in Queens Village, New York but with strong roots to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. He is currently signed to G-Unit Records and its subsidiary label, Shady Ville Entertainment...
– American hip-hop DJ and radio host - Nicolas GeffrardNicolas GeffrardNicolas Geffrard was a Haitian musician best known for composing La Dessalinienne, the Haitian national anthem. The piece was adopted in 1904 to celebrate one hundred years of Haitian independence. He spent part of his career working in Europe.-Note:...
– musician; composed Haitian national anthem - Lee HoldridgeLee HoldridgeLee Holdridge is a Haitian-born American television composer and orchestrator.-Biography:He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, of a Puerto-Rican mother and an American father, the botanist an climatologist Leslie Holdridge...
- Puerto Rican-American composer (born in Haiti) - Kery JamesKery JamesAlix Mathurin better known as Kery James, is a French rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer and record producer, who was born in West Indies from Haitian parents. His mother raised him in Orly, a suburb of Paris. Nowadays with his three solo albums, he is one of the most respected French rappers. The...
– French rapper - Carlos JeanCarlos JeanCarlos Jean Arriaga is a Spanish DJ and record producer. He is the co-founder of the group Najwajean, and has been a producer for some of the most important Spanish and Latin-American artists of the 2000s, earning seven Latin Grammy nominations.-1973-1998: Early life:He was born on February 15,...
- Spanish musician - Wyclef JeanWyclef JeanWyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
- singer for The FugeesThe FugeesFugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel... - David Jude JolicoeurDavid Jude JolicoeurDavid Jude Jolicoeur , also known under the stage name Trugoy and more recently Dave, is an American rapper, producer, and one third of groundbreaking hip hop trio De La Soul....
, rapper from De La SoulDe La SoulDe La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres... - Kangol KidKangol KidShaun Shiller Fequiere, known by his stage name, Kangol Kid, or, alternatively, The Kangol Kid, is a Haitian-American hip hop producer, songwriter, break dancer, and emcee...
– American rapper - MaxwellMaxwell (musician)Maxwell , is an American R&B, funk and neo soul musician. He played an important role in the development of the soul sub-genre, neo-soul.-Early life:...
, singer (Haitian mother) - MC TeeMC TeeTouré Embden , known by the stage name MC Tee, is a Haitian-American emcee and co-founder of the 1980s old school hip hop and electro funk group Mantronix.- Early years :...
, rapper - Luck MervilLuck MervilLuck Mervil is a Haitian-Canadian actor and singer-songwriter. He is known for his belief in Quebec independence, and was named Patriot of the Year by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society in 2005....
- Pras Michel, singer for The FugeesThe FugeesFugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel...
- MuzionMuzionMuzion is a rap group based in Quebec, Canada made up of rap artists of Haitian origin. Members of the band came from Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension in Montreal. The band is made up of Dramatik, Imposs and his sister J-Kyll...
, French rap group - Delisa NewtonDelisa NewtonDelisa Newton is an American nurse and jazz vocalist in the American press, most notably in a 1966 issue of Sepia. Born in New Orleans, her mother was of Haitian descent, and her Baptist minister father left when she was three. In a series of tabloid articles in the mid-1960s, Newton described...
– American jazz vocalist - Dawn Angelique RichardDawn Angelique RichardDawn Angeliqué Richard is a American singer, songwriter, and dancer. Richard is a former member of the musical group Danity Kane, from 2005 to 2009...
– American singer and former member of Danity KaneDanity KaneDanity Kane was an American female music group signed to Bad Boy Records, first established in 2005. Formed on the third installment of MTV's Making the Band reality television series, the quintet comprised members Aubrey O'Day, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett, Shannon Bex, Dawn Richard, and Aundrea... - Melky SedeckMelky SedeckMelky Sedeck is a Haitian-American R&B hip hop sibling duo. The name of the group is drawn from the names of singer Blandinna Melky Jean and her multi-instrumentalist brother Farel Sedeck Guerschom Jean. The name of the group is an allusion to Melchizedek, a figure from Christian and Jewish...
– American R&B/hip hop sibling duo - Pastor TroyPastor TroyMicah LeVar Troy is an American rapper, actor, and record producer. He is also a member of the hardcore rap group D.S.G.B. .-Early life:Micah LeVar Troy was born on November 18, 1977 in Augusta, Georgia...
– American rapper - Sha Money XLSha Money XL-Dream Big Ventures:With Distribution from The Orchard, Sha Money founded a new record label, Dream Big Ventures. Quickly upon its creation, Sha Money signed close Shady/Aftermath/G-Unit affiliates DJ Whoo Kid and Stat Quo, as well as former Young Money artist, Kidd Kidd. Sha is currently trying to...
, rapper - SmittySmittyVarick D. Bennet, better known as Smitty, is a American rapper and hip-hop ghostwriter from Little Haiti, a neighborhood in Miami, Florida.-Biography:...
– American rapper-songwriter - TorchTorch (rapper)Frederik Hahn , better known by his stage name Torch, is a German rapper with Haitian roots. He was among the first German rappers who began rapping in German in the mid-1980s in Heidelberg, laying the foundation for the success of German hip hop music...
– German rapper - Tony YayoTony YayoMarvin Bernard , better known by his stage name Tony Yayo, is a Haitian American rapper and member of the hip hop group G-Unit...
, rapper
Political Figures
- Hérard AbrahamHérard Abraham-Life:Abraham enlisted in the Haïtian army as a young man. He rose to the rank of lieutenant general and became one of the few military members in the inner circle of President Jean-Claude Duvalier. Abraham supported the 1986 coup against Duvalier, and served as foreign minister for the first time...
- Boniface AlexandreBoniface AlexandreBoniface Alexandre is a politician in Haïti. He served as acting president of Haïti from 2004 to 2006. The 2004 Haitian coup d'état removed President Jean-Bertrand Aristide from the Americas on February 29, 2004...
- Jacques-Édouard AlexisJacques-Édouard AlexisJacques-Édouard Alexis is a Haitian politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Haiti from 1999 to 2001 and was Prime Minister for a second term from 2006 to 2008 when he was dismissed due to political fallout from food riots....
, Prime Minister of Haiti (2006 - Present) - Pierre Nord AlexisPierre Nord AlexisPierre Nord Alexis was President of Haiti from December 21, 1902 to December 2, 1908. He was son of Nord Alexis, a high-ranking official in the regime of Henry Christophe, and Blézine Georges, Christophe's illegitimate daughter. Alexis joined the army in the 1830s, serving President Jean-Louis...
- André ApaidAndré ApaidAndré Apaid, Junior, the leader of the Group of 184 in Haiti, the civil society movement which forced Jean-Bertrand Aristide from power in 2004 through a coup d'état. He is the head of Alpha Industries, one of the largest assembly factories in Haiti, and of Fondation Nouvelle Haiti, a member of the...
– politician and activist - Jean-Bertrand AristideJean-Bertrand AristideJean-Bertrand Aristide is a Haitian former Catholic priest and politician who served as Haiti's first democratically elected president. A proponent of liberation theology, Aristide was appointed to a parish in Port-au-Prince in 1982 after completing his studies...
, former president - Prosper AvrilProsper AvrilProsper Avril is a Haitian political figure who was President of Haiti from 1988 to 1990. A trusted member of François Duvalier's Presidential Guard and adviser to Jean-Claude Duvalier, Lt. Gen. Avril led the September 1988 Haitian coup d'état against a transition military government installed...
- Daniel NarcisseDaniel NarcisseDaniel Narcisse is a French handball player. His main strength as a field player is his ability to jump very high, to the point of being able to score goals above interfering defense players...
, former Foreign Affairs Minister - Charles Henri BakerCharles Henri BakerCharles-Henri Jean-Marie Baker is a Haitian industrialist and Presidential Candidate. He is a former Vice President of the Group of 184. Baker was a candidate for president in Haiti's 2006 and 2010 elections.-Early life:...
– politician - Marc BazinMarc BazinMarc Louis Bazin was a World Bank official, former United Nations functionary and Haïtian Minister of Finance and Economy under the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier...
– United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
diplomat and World BankWorld BankThe World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
official - Jacques BernardJacques BernardJacques Bernard , French theologian and publicist, was born at Nions in Dauphiné.Having studied at Geneva, he returned to France in 1679, and was chosen minister of Venterol in Dauphiné. Afterwards, he removed to the church of Vinsobres...
– French theologian and publicist - Jean-Pierre Boyer – soldier and President of Haiti
- Phillip BrutusPhillip BrutusPhillip J. Brutus is a former member of the Florida House of Representatives.Brutus graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York. He got his Bachelor's degree at the University of Massachusetts Boston in 1982 and his J.D. degree from Suffolk University Law School in 1985.Brutus...
, first Haitian elected to the FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
state legislature - Martial CélestinMartial CélestinMartial Lavaud Célestin was named Prime Minister of Haïti by President Leslie Manigat in March 1988 under the provisions of the 1987 Constitution, and was approved by the Parliament that formed as a result of the January 17, 1988 elections. He was deposed by the coup that took place on June 20...
- Jean-Marie Chérestal
- Henri ChristopheHenri ChristopheHenri Christophe was a key leader in the Haitian Revolution, winning independence from France in 1804. On 17 February 1807, after the creation of a separate nation in the north, Christophe was elected President of the State of Haiti...
– rebel slave and President of Haiti - Philippe Sudre DartiguenavePhilippe Sudré DartiguenavePhilippe Sudre Dartiguenave was a Haitian political figure. He served as president of Haïti from 12 August 1915 to 15 May 1922 in a government set up by the United States after its intervention began on July 27, 1915 following an uprising which resulted in the death of Jean Vilbrun Guillaume...
- Jean-Jacques DessalinesJean-Jacques DessalinesJean-Jacques Dessalines was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti under the 1801 constitution. Initially regarded as Governor-General, Dessalines later named himself Emperor Jacques I of Haiti...
– President of Haiti - François DuvalierFrançois DuvalierFrançois Duvalier was the President of Haiti from 1957 until his death in 1971. Duvalier first won acclaim in fighting diseases, earning him the nickname "Papa Doc" . He opposed a military coup d'état in 1950, and was elected President in 1957 on a populist and black nationalist platform...
– President of Haiti - Jean-Claude DuvalierJean-Claude DuvalierJean-Claude Duvalier, nicknamed "Bébé Doc" or "Baby Doc" was the President of Haiti from 1971 until his overthrow by a popular uprising in 1986. He succeeded his father, François "Papa Doc" Duvalier, as the ruler of Haiti upon his father's death in 1971...
– President of Haiti - Dumarsais EstiméDumarsais EstiméDumarsais Estimé served as the President of Haïti from 16 August 1946 until 10 May 1950. He was the first black head of state since the US occupation of Haiti ended in 1934.-Early life:...
- Mathieu EugeneMathieu EugeneMathieu Eugene is a New York City Councilmember. He is an Haitian-American, he was born in Cap-Haïtien in April 1954. He made history when he won two special elections to become the first Haitian-born elected official in the state of New York. He attended schools in Haiti, Belgium and Mexico...
- Linda Dorcena ForryLinda Dorcena ForryLinda Dorcena Forry is a Democratic member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, representing the 12th Suffolk District since a special election in April 2005. Forry is a Haitian American.- External links :* official MA House website* profile...
- Ulises HeureauxUlises HeureauxUlises Heureaux Lebert was president of the Dominican Republic from 1 September 1882 to 1 September 1883, from 6 January to 27 February 1887 and again from 30 April 1889 until his assassination, maintaining power between his terms.-Early life:Heureaux, affectionately known as Lilís, was born in...
, former President of the Dominican Republic (Haitian father) - Antoine IzméryAntoine IzméryAntoine Izméry was a Haïtian businessman and pro-democracy activist.-Career:Izméry, who was of Palestinian descent, was among the wealthiest people in Haïti. He was one of the most prominent backers of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and helped finance his election campaign...
– pro-democracy activist and businessman - Michaëlle JeanMichaëlle JeanMichaëlle Jean is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 27th since Canadian Confederation, from 2005 to 2010....
, former Governor General of CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... - Jean JeudyJean JeudyJean Leniol Jeudy is one of three members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives for Hillsborough 10 .-Early life:...
- Émile JonassaintÉmile JonassaintÉmile Jonassaint was a Haïtian Supreme Court Justice and political figure.He served as Haiti's President of the Constituent Assembly during the 1987 Constitution....
, former President - Gérard LatortueGérard LatortueGérard Latortue was the Prime Minister of Haïti from March 12, 2004 to June 9, 2006. He was an official in the United Nations for many years, and briefly served as foreign minister of Haïti during the short-lived 1988 administration of Leslie Manigat.In February 2004, the country suffered a coup...
- Robert MalvalRobert MalvalRobert Malval was the prime minister of Haïti from August 30 1993 to November 8 1994.An industrialist and business leader, Malval was appointed on August 16 1993 by the President-in-exile, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who gave Malval the task of reconciling the feuding parties. He defied the...
- Leslie ManigatLeslie ManigatLeslie François Saint Roc Manigat was elected president of Haiti by a tightly controlled military held election in January 1988.-In education:...
- Michel Martelly - former musician (Sweet Micky) and President of Haiti (2011-present)
- Smarck MichelSmarck MichelSmarck Michel was appointed prime minister of Haiti on October 27, 1994, occupying the post from November 8, 1994 to October 16, 1995. Smarck was President Aristide's third prime minister, and the first to be named after the President's return from exile....
- Henri NamphyHenri NamphyHenri Namphy was a Haitian general and political figure. He served as President of Haiti's interim ruling body, the National Council of Government, from 7 February 1986 to 7 February 1988...
- Yvon NeptuneYvon NeptuneYvon Neptune was Prime Minister of Haïti from 2002 until 2004. He was appointed by President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and took office on March 15, 2002...
- Joseph NéretteJoseph NeretteJoseph Nérette was a Haïtian judge and political figure. He served as the provisional president of Haïti between 1991 and 1992, part of a period in which real political authority rested with the military junta headed by Raoul Cédras and Michel François.He died of lung cancer in Port-au-Prince on...
, former President - Vincent OgéVincent OgéVincent Ogé was a wealthy free man of color and the instigator of a revolt against white colonial authority in French Saint-Domingue that lasted from October to December 1790 in the area outside Cap-Français, the colony's main city...
– revolutionary - Ertha Pascal-TrouillotErtha Pascal-TrouillotErtha Pascal-Trouillot was the provisional President of Haiti from 1990 through 1991. She was the first woman in Haitian history to hold that office.-Background:...
, former President - José Francisco Peña GómezJosé Francisco Peña GómezJosé Francisco Peña Gómez was a politician from the Dominican Republic. He was the leader of the Dominican Revolutionary Party , a three-time candidate for president of the Dominican Republic and former Mayor of Santo Domingo...
- Dominican politician and activist - Charlemagne PéralteCharlemagne PéralteCharlemagne Masséna Péralte was a Haitian nationalist leader who opposed the US Invasion of his country in 1915. Leading guerrilla fighters called the Cacos, he posed such a challenge to the US forces in Haiti that the occupying forces had to upgrade their presence in the country...
– nationalist leader and revolutionary - Alexandre PétionAlexandre PétionAlexandre Sabès Pétion was President of the Republic of Haiti from 1806 until his death. He is considered as one of Haiti's founding fathers, together with Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and his rival Henri Christophe.-Early life:Pétion was born in Port-au-Prince to a Haitian...
– nationalist, revolutionary and President of Haiti - Gérard Pierre-CharlesGérard Pierre-CharlesGérard Pierre-Charles was a Haitian politician and former leader of the Unified Party of Haitian Communists....
- Michèle Pierre-LouisMichèle Pierre-LouisMichèle Duvivier Pierre-Louis is a Haitian politician who was Prime Minister of Haiti from September 2008 to November 2009...
- René PrévalRené PrévalRené Garcia Préval is a Haitian politician and agronomist who was the President of the Republic of Haiti from 14 May 2006 to 14 May 2011. He previously served as President from February 7, 1996, to February 7, 2001, and as Prime Minister from February 1991 to October 11, 1991.-Early life and...
, former President (2006-2011) - Pierre-Richard ProsperPierre-Richard ProsperPierre-Richard Prosper is an American lawyer, prosecutor and former government official. He served as the second United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues under President George W...
– American lawyer, prosecutor and former government official - Julien RaimondJulien RaimondJulien Raimond was an indigo planter in the French colony of Saint-Domingue .-Early activism:He was born a free man of color, the son of a French colonist and the mulatto daughter of a planter, in the isolated South province of the colony. Raimond owned over 100 slaves by the 1780s, and was one of...
– agriculturalist/planter and revolutionary - Kwame RaoulKwame RaoulKwame Raoul is an American politician and a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate, representing the 13th district since his appointment to fill the seat vacated by Barack Obama in 2004...
- André RigaudAndré RigaudBenoit Joseph André Rigaud was the leading mulatto military leader during the Haïtian Revolution. Among his protégés were Alexandre Pétion and Jean-Pierre Boyer, both future presidents of Haïti.-The revolutionary:...
- Yolly RobersonYolly RobersonYolly Roberson is a Miami, Florida attorney and Democratic politician who serves as the representative for District 104 of the Florida House of Representatives. She was first elected to the Florida House in 2002 and then reelected successively to three more terms. She served as Democratic Whip...
- Lysius SalomonLysius SalomonLysius Salomon was the President of Haiti from . Salomon is best remembered for instituting Haiti's first postal system, and his lively enthusiasm to modernize the country.....
- Sylvain SalnaveSylvain SalnaveSylvain Salnave was a Haïtian general. He was the President of Haïti from 1867 to 1869. In 1867 he was elected president after he led the overthrow of President Fabre Geffrard. During his term there were constant civil wars between the various factions.-Footnotes:...
– former President of Haiti - Jean Vilbrun Guillaume SamJean Vilbrun Guillaume SamJean Vilbrun Guillaume Sam was President of Haïti from March 4 to July 27, 1915. He was a son of Tirésias Simon Sam, Haiti's president from 1896 to 1902.-Presidency:...
- Marie Saint Fleur
- Rosny SmarthRosny SmarthRosny Smarth was Prime Minister of Haiti briefly, from February 27, 1996 to June 9, 1997. He resigned his post before a successor was found, leaving the post vacant for nearly two years. His political party is the OPL.-References:...
- Dany ToussaintDany ToussaintDany Toussaint was a candidate in the February 2006 presidential election in Haiti. Toussaint is a former Haitian Army major, police chief and bodyguard of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. He is a former Senator and leader of the Haitian Democratic and Reformist Movement Party...
- Sténio VincentSténio VincentSténio Joseph Vincent was President of Haiti from November 18, 1930 to May 15, 1941.In October 1930 Haitians chose a national assembly for the first time since 1918, which elected Vincent as President of Haiti...
- Claudette WerleighClaudette WerleighClaudette Werleigh was Prime Minister of Haïti from November 7, 1995 to February 7, 1996. She was Haiti's first female Prime Minister.She had previously been Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Religion in 1993 and 1995...
Miscellaneous
- Gerard A. AlphonseGerard A. AlphonseGerald A. Alphonse is an electrical engineer, physicist and research scientist, and was the 2005 president of the United States division of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers . He has served on several of IEEE's committees and boards....
– American electrical engineer - André ApaidAndré ApaidAndré Apaid, Junior, the leader of the Group of 184 in Haiti, the civil society movement which forced Jean-Bertrand Aristide from power in 2004 through a coup d'état. He is the head of Alpha Industries, one of the largest assembly factories in Haiti, and of Fondation Nouvelle Haiti, a member of the...
- Marc BazinMarc BazinMarc Louis Bazin was a World Bank official, former United Nations functionary and Haïtian Minister of Finance and Economy under the dictatorship of Jean-Claude Duvalier...
- Jacques BernardJacques BernardJacques Bernard , French theologian and publicist, was born at Nions in Dauphiné.Having studied at Geneva, he returned to France in 1679, and was chosen minister of Venterol in Dauphiné. Afterwards, he removed to the church of Vinsobres...
- Marlie CasseusMarlie CasseusMarlie Casseus is a Haitian teenager who attracted national and international media attention when she received surgery to remove a 16-pound growth from her face that threatened her ability to eat, breathe, and see.-Background:...
, notable surgery patient - Simone Duvalier
- Tyrone EdmondTyrone EdmondTyrone Edmond is a Haitian-born model.-Early life:In Haiti, Edmond lived a difficult childhood, struggling day-to-day in a highly impoverished situation in the shantytowns of Cap-Haïtien and Port-au-Prince, where he grew up...
, model - Reggie Fils-Aime
- Kendall FrancoisKendall FrancoisKendall Francois is a serial killer from Poughkeepsie, New York, convicted of killing eight women, from 1996 to 1998. He is currently serving life in prison for his crimes.-Life:...
, serial killer - Ralph GillesRalph GillesRalph V. Gilles, born on January 14, 1970 in New York City, is a Haitian-Can-American automobile designer.Gilles is currently the President and CEO of the SRT Brand and Senior Vice President of Design at Chrysler Group LLC...
– American automobile designer - Patrick GaspardPatrick GaspardPatrick Gaspard is the Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee, and served as Director of the Office of Political Affairs for the Obama administration from January 2009 to 2011...
- Antoine IzméryAntoine IzméryAntoine Izméry was a Haïtian businessman and pro-democracy activist.-Career:Izméry, who was of Palestinian descent, was among the wealthiest people in Haïti. He was one of the most prominent backers of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and helped finance his election campaign...
- Gérard Jean-JusteGérard Jean-JusteFr. Gérard Jean-Juste was a Roman Catholic priest and rector of Saint Claire's church for the poor in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He was also a liberation theologian and a supporter of the Fanmi Lavalas political party, the largest in Haiti. In 1978, Father Jean-Juste founded the Haitian Refugee Center...
– Roman Catholic priest and rector - Josue LajeunesseJosue LajeunesseJosue Lajeunesse is one of the main subjects of a documentary called The Philosopher Kings, which discusses the life stories of several American university custodians....
, humanitarian - Mother Mary LangeMother Mary LangeServant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, was the foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence. Elizabeth was born in 1784, a native of Cuba, her country of birth is not documented but oral tradition says she was born in Haiti and moved with her family to Cuba.The Oblate Sisters of Providence...
– Cuban founder of a Catholic religious community for women - Joseph Philippe Lemercier LarocheJoseph Philippe Lemercier LarocheJoseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche was a Paris educated engineer and is best known as being one of the only passengers of Haitian and black ancestry on the final voyage of the RMS Titanic. He was the nephew of Cincinnatus Leconte, a President of Haiti....
, passenger on the Titanic - Louise LarocheLouise LarocheLouise Laroche was one of the last remaining survivors of the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. It is believed that she, her sister and her father, Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche, were the only people of black descent aboard.-Early life:Louise Laroche was born on July 2, 1910 in...
, passenger on the Titanic - Abner LouimaAbner LouimaAbner Louima is a Haitian who was assaulted, brutalized and forcibly sodomized with the handle of a bathroom plunger by New York City police officers after being arrested outside a Brooklyn nightclub in 1997....
, crime victim - Amiot MétayerAmiot MétayerAmiot Métayer was a gang leader in Haïti. His gang, based in the northern city of Gonaïves, was called the "Cannibal Army". Although he had once supported Haïtian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the government arrested him for arson on May 21, 2002...
- Buteur MétayerButeur MétayerButeur Métayer was a rebel leader in Haïti during the 2004 Haïti rebellion.Following the assassination of his brother, Amiot Métayer, in 2003, he became the leader of his brother's gang, then known as the "Cannibal Army"...
- Evans PaulEvans PaulEvans Paul, called K-plimo, is a Haitian politician and former president of the Democratic United Committee . He was elected mayor of Port-au-Prince in the 1990 elections that brought Jean-Bertrand Aristide's National Front for Change and Democracy party to power...
- Mathias PierreMathias PierreMathias Pierre is a Haitian entrepreneur.A writer, an entrepreneur, a public figure—call it what you may, Mathias Pierre is a role model for Haitian society whose written and spoken word has inspired thousands and served as a source of light, hope, and motivation...
, entrepreneur - Guy PhilippeGuy PhilippeGuy Philippe is a Haitian politician. When Jean-Claude Duvalier was toppled in 1986, he was 17 years old which makes claims that he was an alleged former Tonton Macoute leaderpreposterous. he lead the 2004 Haitian rebellion that ousted Jean-Bertrand Aristide and he was a presidential candidate in...
- Pierre-Richard ProsperPierre-Richard ProsperPierre-Richard Prosper is an American lawyer, prosecutor and former government official. He served as the second United States Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues under President George W...
- Guy SansaricqGuy SansaricqGuy Sansaricq was born in Jérémie, Haiti, into a Catholic family. He attended the seminary of the Jeremie Diocese for five years, after which he received a scholarship to St. Paul's Pontifical Seminary in Ottawa, Canada, where he studied philosophy and theology for seven years...
– First Haitian-born Roman Catholic Bishop in the United States - Dumas M. Simeus, Haitian-American business executive
- Charles Terres WeymannCharles Terres WeymannCharles Terres Weymann was an early aeroplane racing pilot and businessman. He was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 2 August 1889 of an American father and Haitian motherIt is said that Charles Weymann's mother was Cornelie Miot, herself Haitian and daughter of Charles Miot and Lesinska Cecile...
, Franco-American airplane racing pilot and businessman - Pierre ToussaintPierre ToussaintThe Venerable Pierre Toussaint was an immigrant to the United States and a successful hairdresser in New York City during the Federal Period. Due to his devout and exemplary life, the Roman Catholic Church has been investigating his life for possible canonization.-Life:Pierre Toussaint was born as...
, activist & CatholicRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
candidate for sainthoodBeatificationBeatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process... - Mildred TrouillotMildred TrouillotMildred Trouillot-Aristide is an American lawyer who married Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the former President of Haïti, in 1996.Mildred Trouillot grew up in the Bronx. Both her father, Emile, and mother, Carmelle, were natives of Haïti. He left Haïti in 1958, she in 1960. They found work in New York,...
, American lawyer, former First Lady - Louis William Valentine DubourgLouis William Valentine DubourgLouis William Valentine Dubourg was a Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church who played an active role in the growth of the church in the early years of the United States. He was born in Cap Français, St...
– Roman Catholic Bishop