Famous Haitians
Lela Rochon (1964 - ) African-American actress of Haitian descent. One of her major roles was in the movie
Waiting to Exhale.
Jonathan Polynice Vilma (1982 - ) The defensive leader and middle linebacker for the New York Jets in the
NFL is one of several NFL players of Haitian descent.
Alex Désert (1968 - ) is a Haitian American actor who has appeared in TV series The Flash, Becker, and
Boy Meets World
Jimmy Jean-Louis (1968 - ) Haitian model, musician and actor who has appeared in such movies as Tears of
the Sun, Hollywood Homicide and The Bourne Identity.
W.E.B. Dubois (1868 – 1963) Famous American Civil Rights Leader whose parents migrated from Haiti. Author of The Souls of
Black Folks, and helped found The Niagara Movement which eventually became the NAACP.
Toussaint L’Ouverture (1743 – 1803) Black Freedom fighter who led the fight for Haitian independence from French colonial
domination. Haiti became the first Black Republic in the World. He is also known as “The Black Napoleon” .
Jean-Jacques Dessalines (1758 – 1806) Black freedom fighter with Toussaint L’Ouverture. He became the first ruler
independent Haiti.
Henry Christophe ( ) Famous Haitian who declared himself King after the assassination of Dessal;ines. He is noted for having
built a huge fortress representing freedom.
John James Audubon (1785 - 1851– Was born in Haiti and would become a legendary, revered bird watcher, painter and art
enthusiast in America. The Audubon Society is named after him
Jean Michel Basquiat (1960 – 1988) Son of Haitian and Puerto Rican parents who was a graffiti artist in New York and did
some collaborative work with Andy Warhol. His artistic style has had a major influence
on artists today.
Ludovic Lamothe (1882 – 1953) Haiti’s most renowned classical
composer, also known as the Haitian Chopin.
Wyclef Jean ( 1972 - ) Musician, singer and producer who founded the Fugees
Praz (1972 - ) [Samuel Prakazrel] The other guy from the Fugees. Grammy Award
winning rapper, actor and film producer
Ludovic Lamothe
Edwidge Danticat (1969 - ) Award winning Haitian American teacher and writer of such books as The Farming of Bones and
Breath, Eyes, Memory. The latter was one of her works that was an Oprah’s Book Club selection.
Quddus (1980 - ) [Benjamin Quddus Philippe] Haitian Greek Canadian MTV VJ / and Model
Alexandre Dumas (1802 – 1870) French writer who is the son of a Haitian slave woman and a French soldier. His writings
includes The Three Musketeers and The ‘Count of Monte Cristo
Marjorie Vincent (1965 - ) Daughter of Haitian immigrants who grew up in Oak Park,
Illinois and would become Miss America in 1991.
Josephine Premice (1926 - ) Haitian born American actress, dancer, and singer who has appeared in The
Jeffersons, The Cosby Show and A Different World.
Ronal and Rony Delice (1966 - ) Haitian twin brothers who are acclaimed fashion designers in New
York City.
Pierre Toussaint (1766 – 1853) Haitian born slave who, when freed, became a wealthy philanthropist. He
Photo courtesy of Alden Jewell
is in the second stage toward being named a saint in the Catholic Church for his
humanitarian work in New York.
Elizabeth Clarisse Lange ( 1784 – 1882) Freed slave who migrated to
Baltimore, Maryland where she founded the first Catholic school for Black
children, the St. Francis Academy. Today, she is also being considered for
canonization by the Catholic Church.
Pierre Toussaint
Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable (1745 – 1818) Free Black Slave from Haiti who would
become a very successful trader in America. In 1779, he established the first permanent
settlement of the city of Chicago and is known today as the “Father of Chicago.
Dr. Rose Marie Toussaint (1956 - ) Haitian born physician who is one of only two women liver transplant
surgeons in the world.
William Joseph (1979) Haitian born Defensive Tackle in the National Football League.
Samuel Dalembert (1981 - ) Haitian born Center for Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA
Mario Elie (1963 - ) Of Haitian ancestry, former Guard for Houston Rockets
Bruny Surin 1971 - ) Haitian / Canadian Track and field star
May 1 – 31
Brenda Joysmith (print)
Haitian Heritage Month: a month
honoring Haitian General Toussaint
L’ouverture and the fight for
Haitian independence in 1803.