Schools, hospitals, and businesses get funded as well. The scale of what you're talking can't be done with an instable government and insecurity. Nobody's going invest in a business that's going to get robbed and or burned down. Money doesn't grow on trees. I've personally invested 100k in Haiti. And can't get off the ground because of the gang problems.
Haitian Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Fatboi1
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Schools, hospitals, and businesses get funded as well. The scale of what you're talking can't be done with an instable government and insecurity. Nobody's going invest in a business that's going to get robbed and or burned down. Money doesn't grow on trees. I've personally invested 100k in Haiti. And can't get off the ground because of the gang problems.
HimmyHendrix
Port Au Pawg Prime Minister / Black Queen Lover
I’m aware. And I’ve been to Haiti myself. Hope it all gets figured out. Good luck man.
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The O.G. Haitian NBA player. There was a guy who briefly played for the Nets before him, but Olden Polynice was probably the first Haitian player of note.
Shaq SNAPPED on Kobe, Traded for Pippen, Battling Barkley | Olden Polynice Inside the NBA
Jun 23, 2025
What happens when NBA veteran Olden Polynice sits down with Byron Scott and Kid Jay? You get stories you’ve never heard before — straight from the locker room and behind the scenes. From the infamous Kobe vs. Shaq fight to wild nights with Wilt Chamberlain, this episode dives into the untold moments that defined an era. Hear firsthand about Charles Barkley's trash talk, Olden’s intense matchups with the league’s best, and how today’s game compares to the 80s and 90s
Shaq SNAPPED on Kobe, Traded for Pippen, Battling Barkley | Olden Polynice Inside the NBA
Jun 23, 2025
What happens when NBA veteran Olden Polynice sits down with Byron Scott and Kid Jay? You get stories you’ve never heard before — straight from the locker room and behind the scenes. From the infamous Kobe vs. Shaq fight to wild nights with Wilt Chamberlain, this episode dives into the untold moments that defined an era. Hear firsthand about Charles Barkley's trash talk, Olden’s intense matchups with the league’s best, and how today’s game compares to the 80s and 90s
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REST IN PEACE
Brooklyn Comedy Pioneer Ray DeJon Dies
DeJon is credited with opening 275 Park, Brooklyn’s first Black-owned comedy club, in Clinton Hill. He was 63.
www.bkreader.com
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REST IN PEACE
July 29, 2025
Aland Etienne, an unarmed security officer who was among the victims in the shooting on Monday at an office tower in Midtown Manhattan, was a devoted father of two school-aged children and a well-respected employee, according to relatives.
Mr. Etienne, 46, whose family is from Haiti, was working a shift in the building at 345 Park Avenue when a gunman burst into the lobby. Mr. Etienne ducked behind a security desk to take cover, according to the police.
But as the gunman approached an elevator bank near the desk, he fatally shot Mr. Etienne.
Family members and Local 32BJ, the union that represented Mr. Etienne, identified him as one of the victims killed in the attack.
His brother, Gathmand Etienne, confirmed Mr. Etienne’s death but said in a brief telephone interview that he was not in a state of mind to speak further. He wrote in a social media post that “he was more than a brother.”
“He was a father, a son, and a light in our lives,” he wrote. “Our hearts are shattered.”
Mr. Etienne, who was known to friends as Al, was an employee of McLane Security and held a license as an unarmed registered security guard. He had completed a mandatory introductory course for security officers in 2017 and worked in the Midtown Manhattan skyscraper briefly that year, according to state records and his union. He returned roughly two years later and had worked there since then.
The Rudins, the real estate family who own the Park Avenue building, described Mr. Etienne in a statement as a “beloved” presence in the main lobby.
And Karline Jean, a former employee at the investment firm Blackstone who had worked in the building, said that description was apt, calling him an amiable colleague who put others first. The two had often discussed Haitian politics and his love for his children
Aland Etienne Was a Devoted Father and ‘Beloved’ Security Officer
Mr. Etienne, 46, whose family is from Haiti, was working a shift in the building at 345 Park Avenue when a gunman burst into the lobby.
July 29, 2025
Aland Etienne, an unarmed security officer who was among the victims in the shooting on Monday at an office tower in Midtown Manhattan, was a devoted father of two school-aged children and a well-respected employee, according to relatives.
Mr. Etienne, 46, whose family is from Haiti, was working a shift in the building at 345 Park Avenue when a gunman burst into the lobby. Mr. Etienne ducked behind a security desk to take cover, according to the police.
But as the gunman approached an elevator bank near the desk, he fatally shot Mr. Etienne.
Family members and Local 32BJ, the union that represented Mr. Etienne, identified him as one of the victims killed in the attack.
His brother, Gathmand Etienne, confirmed Mr. Etienne’s death but said in a brief telephone interview that he was not in a state of mind to speak further. He wrote in a social media post that “he was more than a brother.”
“He was a father, a son, and a light in our lives,” he wrote. “Our hearts are shattered.”
Mr. Etienne, who was known to friends as Al, was an employee of McLane Security and held a license as an unarmed registered security guard. He had completed a mandatory introductory course for security officers in 2017 and worked in the Midtown Manhattan skyscraper briefly that year, according to state records and his union. He returned roughly two years later and had worked there since then.
The Rudins, the real estate family who own the Park Avenue building, described Mr. Etienne in a statement as a “beloved” presence in the main lobby.
And Karline Jean, a former employee at the investment firm Blackstone who had worked in the building, said that description was apt, calling him an amiable colleague who put others first. The two had often discussed Haitian politics and his love for his children
The O.G. Haitian NBA player. There was a guy who briefly played for the Nets before him, but Olden Polynice was probably the first Haitian player of note.
Shaq SNAPPED on Kobe, Traded for Pippen, Battling Barkley | Olden Polynice Inside the NBA
Jun 23, 2025
What happens when NBA veteran Olden Polynice sits down with Byron Scott and Kid Jay? You get stories you’ve never heard before — straight from the locker room and behind the scenes. From the infamous Kobe vs. Shaq fight to wild nights with Wilt Chamberlain, this episode dives into the untold moments that defined an era. Hear firsthand about Charles Barkley's trash talk, Olden’s intense matchups with the league’s best, and how today’s game compares to the 80s and 90s
I thought Mario Elie was the first NBA player of Haitian descent. He was drafted in ‘85
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The early Haitian player I mentioned was Yvon Joseph. He was on the Nets for one season
Yvon Joseph Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
Checkout the latest stats of Yvon Joseph. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, shoots, school and more on Basketball-Reference.com
www.basketball-reference.com
Polyniece came into the league in 1987 making the Sonics
Elie first made an NBA roster with the 76ers in 1990
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08/10/25
Konpa’s 70th anniversary celebrated in Florida with tribute to genre’s founder
Alix Timmer hosts event honoring Nemours Jean-Baptiste and Haiti’s signature music amid immigration concerns
A celebration marking the 70th anniversary of Haiti’s most enduring music genre, Konpa Dirèk, brought together Haitian music fans, performers and community leaders at Kasa Champet Restaurant and Lounge on Saturday, July 26.
Produced by veteran music promoter Alix Timmer, the event honored the legacy of Konpa founder Nemours Jean-Baptiste and included a formal tribute presented to his surviving adult children. The tribute was delivered by Robert Woodson on behalf of his wife, State Rep. Marie Paul Woodson, who was unable to attend in person.
The evening’s theme—white and red—paid homage to “Rouge et Blanc,” a 1965 song by Jean-Baptiste. Guests arrived in color-coordinated attire to honor the composer and his influence on Haitian identity and cultural expression.
The event featured a performance by Tabou Combo, one of the most recognized Haitian konpa bands internationally.
Tabou Combo’s songs “never fade out with time,” said one attendee.
Timmer, who has been active in promoting Haitian music and culture for over 50 years, said the event was an opportunity to reflect on Konpa’s evolution and global influence.
The legacy of Nemours Jean-Baptiste
Jean-Baptiste, often called the “Father of Konpa,” revolutionized Haitian music in the mid-20th century by blending traditional Haitian rhythms with modern instrumentation. In 1955, he officially introduced Konpa Dirèk to audiences, naming the style to reflect its direct, danceable beat. A skilled saxophonist and bandleader, Jean-Baptiste led the group Ensemble Aux Callebasses, which later became Ensemble Nemours Jean-Baptiste, producing hits that defined the golden era of Haitian dance music.
Jean-Baptiste’s innovation not only created a new musical genre but also shaped Haiti’s cultural identity, influencing generations of musicians across the Caribbean, North America and Europe. His compositions, such as “Rouge et Blanc,” remain touchstones for the Haitian diaspora, symbolizing national pride and artistic excellence.
In the early 1960s, many of Jean-Baptiste’s compositions celebrated women and healthy relationships. “Ti Carole,” composed in 1967, was one of the most played hits, remaining in the top 10 for over a year. This song gained fame and continues to be a favorite among many Konpa Dirèk fans today.
“[Konpa Dirék] is perhaps the greatest artistic achievement that Haiti has ever seen in its history as the first Black republic,” Timmer said. “This musical genre has over time become one of the greatest economic vectors of the Haitian cultural sector.”
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08/11/25
At Brooklyn funeral, Haitian American security officer killed in Midtown shooting remembered for bravery
Brooklyn funeral honors Haitian American security officer Aland Etienne, killed protecting others in Midtown shooting.
haitiantimes.com
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08/21/25
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"Now this dance aint for everybody. Only the sexy people
08/23/25
08/23/25
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Sad story. Rest in Peace to them.
The driver should definitely get the max. Ive said the same thing when an Ayisyen was on the other side of these type of accidents. People who show such clear disregard for the safety/lives of other people can rot or burn for all that I care.
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