July 7 Revisited: The Day Haiti Stood Still
Originally Premiered on March 1, July 7: Who Killed the President of Haiti? is a feature film that revisits the shocking 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.
Directed by Robenson Lauvince, the film offers a gripping, dramatized account of a moment that shook the nation—set against the backdrop of political tensions.
The film stars Haitian actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, best known for his roles as “The Haitian” in NBC’s Heroes and the revolutionary leader in Toussaint Louverture, the award-winning French tv film.
Why it matters: This isn’t just about an assassination—it’s about the silence that followed and a nation still searching for the truth. The film also made history as the first Haitian film to receive wide theatrical distribution. The film will be released worldwide on May 16th.
Wyclef & Chappelle Celebrate Ohio’s Haitian Community
In April, Dave Chappelle and Wyclef Jean hosted a cultural celebration in Yellow Springs, Ohio, honoring the Haitian community amid rising xenophobia in nearby Springfield.
Haitian-American comedian Sejoe—known as the “Haitian Dave Chappelle”— humorously shared cultural differences between Haiti and the US, while Wyclef performed hits like “Sweetest Girl” and freestyles honoring Haiti, Ohio, and the diaspora. Read more.
Why it matters: With the current political climate—and Springfield’s Haitian population facing policy threats—this event offered a powerful moment of unity and cultural pride. Chappelle emphasized the importance of community support, stating, “I think we’d all be better put by embracing our new neighbors than marginalizing them.”
Chef Leen Cooks Her Way Into the Record Books
From April 7 to April 15, Haitian chef Leen Excellent completed an astonishing 192-hour nonstop cooking marathon in Saint-Denis, France—an ambitious attempt to break the Guinness World Record.
Chef Leen served up Haitian staples like griot, diri kole, and soup joumou. Her run surpassed the official record of 119 hours held by Irish chef Alan Fisher, in 2023 and outlasted a recent 140-hour attempt by Liberian chef Evette Quoibia.
Why it matters: This was more than a marathon—it was a celebration of Haitian endurance, culture, and culinary pride. Official recognition from Guinness is still pending, but history is already on the menu.
Gregory Gourdet on Top Chef Amateurs
Portland’s own Haitian-American chef Gregory Gourdet, owner of the award-winning restaurant Kann in the Rose City, returned to the screen on Top Chef Amateurs. On an episode, he shared that his parents named after a renowned US TV anchor they admired. Find out who the anchor is here.
P.S. Watch Gregory make his famous Haitian pâté on Bravo's Top Chef.
From the Mic to the Bottle: Melky Jean Debuts Her Own Rum
Melky Jean—Grammy-nominated artist, humanitarian, and sister of Fugees icon Wyclef Jean—is entering the spirits world with the launch of Saint Sauveur 1972—a premium rum inspired by her Haitian roots and the resilience of the diaspora.
Named after the ship that carried the first documented mass exodus of Haitian refugees to the U.S. in 1972, the brand is more than a drink—it’s a tribute. Distilled in Florida, aged four years, and infused with heritage, it’s what Melky calls “legacy in a bottle.” Saint Sauveur 1972 is set to launch this May.
Learn more here.
Why it matters: In an industry where few women of color hold space, Melky isn't just showing up, she's putting Haitian heritage front and center.
