Typically when you hear the words “spring break,” images of college-age men and women on white sandy beaches in the Caribbean engulf your mind. In the past, those looking for that beach get away in the sun have not considered Haiti as a viable destination for their spring break leisure needs.   A considerable amount of people are hesitant to travel to Haiti, said Martine Stephenson, marketing director of Perle Hospitality, which provides access to lodging, exclusive memberships, trip advisors, and 24/7 concierge phone assistance in Haiti.   “Haiti has its fair share of negative press that really kills tourism,” she said. “We want to break down those negative barriers and allow people to see they can come to Haiti and be safe.”   Perle Hospitality provides visitors with a network of guest houses with property located in popular locations such as, Cap-Haiten, Jacmel and Pettionville. “What we’re doing is complimenting what the minister of tourism is doing, which is promoting travel to Haiti,” Stephenson said. “The way we’re doing it is by providing a network of locations throughout Haiti and making it a convenient, comfortable and safe environment for travelers.”   In December 2012, the U.S. Department of State … read more

It’s a story shrouded in misconceptions; a story that has been overshadowed by its subjects’ current mis-happenings. It’s a story so riveting that Danny Glover spent more than 30 years trying to tell it.     “Toussaint Louverture for me is one of the greatest heroes that we’ve had. Not we as Haitians or we as black people, but we as people,” said actor Jimmy Jean-Louis.   “Touissaint Louverture,” a 2011 film by Philippe Niang, is featured at the 20th New York African Film Festival, which runs until April 9. Jean-Louis will be honored at the festival for his starring role in the film, which chronicles the slave revolts that led to the Haitian Revolution.   At a screening hosted by Haiti Cultural Exchange for his film “Le President a-t-il le SIDA?” at Five Myles gallery in Brooklyn on April 6, Jean-Louis spoke about his experience working on the critically-acclaimed film and his motivations for accepting the role of Louverture.   He was the inspiration for some of the world’s greatest leaders like Martin Luther King, Mandela and Marcus Garvey, Jean-Louis said. His accomplishments led to the liberation of South America and forever changed world economics. “If you really look … read more

Date: Thur., May, 9 Opening Night Reception Time: 6 p.m. – midnight Location: Drom, 85 Avenue A, East Village About: “Screening of select short films and performance by Emeline Michel and music by DJ Zing. Honoring Frantz Voltaire, Founder of CIDICHA, for his work in film and archival research.”     Date: Fri., May 10 Emerging Filmmakers Networking Event & Select Short Films Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Location: FiveMyles Gallery, 558 St John’s Place, Brooklyn About: FREE screening of select short films and an industry professional mixer. Select short film screenings: Viter Juste, The Father of Little Haiti (2012, 6 Minutes, English) by Rachelle Salnave “Known as Pere Juste (Father Juste), Viter Juste was a pillar in the Haitian community in South Florida. Father Juste named Little Haiti, a well-known neighborhood in Miami, Florida recognized for its enclave of Haitian culture and people. He was instrumental in fighting for the civil rights of Haitian immigrants and contributed to a cultural safe haven for many Haitians who risked their lives to come to America to find freedom.” Night Driver (2011, 20 Minutes, English) by Fritz Celestin “A young man with a dirty job struggles to validate his dreams of … read more