AGP Executive Report

Haitian Roots on Screen: The documentary Black Zombie, now available on demand, traces how Hollywood’s flesh-eating monster was reshaped from the zombie’s roots in Haitian Vodou, linking that history to enslavement, resistance and cultural appropriation. Haitian Artists: Widline Cadet’s first solo U.S. museum exhibition explores Black diasporic life and her migration from Haiti through photography, video and installations. Books: Edwidge Danticat’s Dèy, set in Miami, Haiti and Brooklyn, is a National Book Award fiction finalist; winners will be announced Nov. 18. Caribbean Culture: Miami Carnival’s parade and fete arrives Oct. 11 in Lauderhill, with more than 16 masquerade bands, live entertainment, food and arts-and-crafts vendors. Haitian Talent: Haitian-born chef Jonathan “Jonny” Gudino is competing on Hell’s Kitchen, representing Haiti and Michigan. Fashion: Haitian American designer Daveed Baptiste has brought New York street culture to a Converse collaboration.

Visual Arts: Haitian-born artist Widline Cadet’s first U.S. solo museum exhibition explores migration, memory and Black diasporic life through photography, video and installations at Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center. Books: Edwidge Danticat’s novel Dèy, set in Miami, Haiti and Brooklyn, is a National Book Award fiction finalist; winners will be announced Nov. 18. Food & TV: Haitian-born chef Jonathan “Jonny” Gudino is representing Haiti on Hell’s Kitchen, where he earned a perfect score from Gordon Ramsay and remains in the competition.

Haitian Chef on TV: Born in Kenscoff, Jonathan “Jonny” Gudino is competing on Hell’s Kitchen: The Next Generation. The 24-year-old earned a perfect score from Gordon Ramsay and is representing Haiti on the show. Books: Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat is a National Book Award fiction finalist for Dèy, a story spanning Miami, Haiti and Brooklyn. Winners will be announced Nov. 18. Food: New York restaurant Kabawa serves a Caribbean menu that includes Haitian flavors, alongside dishes from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Puerto Rico. Film: A Place to Heal scored three awards at the Namur International Francophone Film Festival.

Haiti Elections: The Provisional Electoral Council extended online candidate registration and document submission to Oct. 31, and postponed the start of the December presidential and legislative campaign, citing consultations and amendments to the electoral decree—while Haiti’s long-delayed vote remains clouded by gang violence and major operational gaps. Haiti–Dominican Republic Football Fallout: After Wilson Isidor’s post-match shout (“L’Hispaniola c’est Haiti! This is Haiti!”) sparked a diplomatic crisis, the Dominican Republic moved to bar Haiti from using its sports facilities following the stadium incident, with a formal complaint filed with CONCACAF. Sports & Diaspora Spotlight: Haiti’s Nations League run continues to ripple through international coverage, including Wilson Isidor’s impact for Sunderland and the USMNT’s upcoming quarterfinal matchup vs. Haiti. Arts & Culture (Miami): ICA Miami announced its Family Fest (Oct. 25) with activities and performances celebrating communities including Little Haiti. Music & Memory: A New York memorial honored calypso legend Mighty Sparrow with tributes from across the Caribbean diaspora.

Elections & Campaign Calendar: Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council extended candidate registration to Oct. 31 and pushed back the start of campaigning for December presidential and legislative elections, with voting still set for Dec. 13 and Feb. 21, 2027. Haiti-Dominican Republic Football Fallout: After Wilson Isidor’s “Hispaniola is Haiti” celebration, the Dominican Republic banned Haiti’s national team from playing at its sports facilities, citing stadium gate trouble; Haiti’s federation says the remarks were about roots, not hostility. CONCACAF Nations League: Haiti’s run continues—USMNT will face Haiti in November quarterfinals, with the first leg expected in Port-au-Prince. Sports Spotlight: Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor’s Nations League form (three goals, two assists) helped Haiti qualify, though he was briefly withdrawn with an apparent injury scare. Arts & Culture: The Mighty Sparrow was honored at a New York memorial celebrating his calypso legacy. Books & Identity: Edwidge Danticat’s “Dèy” made National Book Award finalist lists, with Haiti featuring in the Miami–Haiti–Brooklyn story.

Haiti–Dominican Republic Football Fallout: After Haiti’s 4-1 win, Dominican Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz announced a ban on Haiti playing in Dominican sports facilities, citing crowd trouble and gate breaches at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium; Haiti’s embassy pushed back, saying the remarks don’t reflect Haiti’s government, while the Haitian Football Federation tried to cool the “Hispaniola is Haiti” controversy around striker Wilson Isidor. Haiti in CONCACAF: Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor’s Nations League run helped Haiti reach the quarter-finals, and an injury scare after he was withdrawn at 72 minutes was later eased as he was reported fit. Matildas Shock (Haiti-linked): Mary Fowler withdrew from Australia friendlies vs Germany and Haiti for undisclosed “personal circumstances,” with teammates left in the dark. Film & Community Culture: “A Place To Heal” scored big at the Namur International Francophone Film Festival, winning major prizes. Diaspora Arts & Events: Miami’s ICA Family Fest (Oct. 25) spotlights creative energy across Little Haiti and beyond, with hands-on art and live performances. Global Arts/Media Note: A report warns media freedom in France faces mounting pressure ahead of the 2027 election.

Haiti–Dominican Republic Football Fallout: After Haiti’s 4-1 win, Wilson Isidor’s “Hispaniola is Haiti” remark sparked a diplomatic and crowd-security backlash. The Dominican Republic has banned Haiti’s national team from using its sports facilities, citing stadium gate trouble and injuries, while Haiti’s federation says the celebration was rooted in national pride, not hostility. Film & Youth Voices: “A Place To Heal” won top honors at the Namur International Francophone Film Festival, praised for how adults’ failures shape teenagers’ wounds. Music & Legacy: The Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) was honored in a major Queens memorial, with Caribbean leaders and artists celebrating his global impact. Haitian Roots in Pop Culture: Naomi Osaka’s family mission traces back to her Haitian father’s Jacmel work, building education and sports support for children. Community & Culture: A Place To Heal’s win joins Haiti-linked cultural coverage, while Miami’s Little Haiti music scene keeps rolling with new concert listings.

Haiti–Dominican Republic Football Fallout: After crowd trouble at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, the Dominican Republic banned Haiti’s national team from using its sports facilities. Haiti’s embassy said the remarks didn’t reflect Haiti’s government, while the Haitian federation framed it as “competition; off the field, respect for the neighbor,” following Haiti’s 4-1 win and Wilson Isidor’s “Hispaniola is Haiti” comments. Haitian Community in the U.S.: A Haitian immigrant memorial in Springfield honored Pierre Damas Bel, 20, who died by suicide after fleeing gang violence in Tiburon; speakers urged ongoing support and dignity. Arts & Culture (Diaspora): Haitian American designer Daveed Baptiste brought New York street-culture to a Converse Spring/Summer 2027 collaboration, mixing fashion and performance. Media Freedom Watch: A France mission report warns media freedom is at a critical juncture ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Film Spotlight: Brooklyn Horror Film Festival preview: “Viewfinder,” a supernatural short about a voodoo-cursed camera, premieres Oct. 17. Human Rights: Amnesty reports Sudan’s children are being recruited and abused by RSF, with lasting trauma and disrupted education.

Hispaniola Football Tension: The Haitian Football Federation says Grenadier Wilson Isidor’s “Hispaniola is Haiti” celebration was meant in a sporting context, after the Dominican Republic filed a complaint and moved to escalate the dispute. Sports Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic has banned Haiti’s national team from using Dominican sports facilities after crowd trouble around the Oct. 1 Nations League match—just a day after Haiti beat the Dominican Republic 4-1. Haiti in the Spotlight (Music & Meaning): A new look at political music argues songs can shift hearts and minds, while Koffee’s “Toast” is revisited as a gratitude anthem shaped by a 2018 visit to Haiti. Community & Memory: A Springfield church gathering honored Pierre Damas Bel, a Haitian immigrant who died by suicide, with speakers urging continued support and dignity for the family. Human Rights Update: UN High Commissioner Volker Türk warned that Haiti’s gangs are expanding and rearming, calling for stronger deployment of the UN Gang Suppression Force with human-rights safeguards.

Haitian Football & Hispaniola Tensions: After Wilson Isidor’s “Hispaniola is Haiti” remarks and Haiti’s 4-1 win over the Dominican Republic, the Haitian Football Federation moved to cool the controversy, saying the celebration was rooted in personal pride, while the Dominican side escalated by banning Haiti’s national team from using Dominican sports facilities. Sports Diplomacy: The Dominican Republic’s sports minister Kelvin Cruz cited crowd violence and stadium gate damage, with President Luis Abinader backing the ban—turning a match rivalry into a broader neighborly dispute. Community & Memory: In Springfield, a memorial at St. John Missionary Baptist Church honored Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian immigrant who died by suicide, with speakers stressing dignity, support for the family, and Bel’s dreams beyond the tragedy. Haiti in the Courts: A U.S. missionary, Maylon Foshee, is set to return to federal court Oct. 12 facing charges tied to alleged sexual abuse of minors in Haiti. Fashion & Culture: Haitian American designer Daveed Baptiste brought New York street culture to a Spring/Summer 2027 Converse collaboration, blending performance and city imagery.

Hispaniola Football Tension: The Dominican Republic has banned Haiti’s national team from using Dominican sports facilities after crowd trouble around the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, even as Haiti beat the DR 4-1 in the Nations League. Sports Diplomacy: Dominican Sports Minister Kelvin Cruz announced the ban, later backed by President Luis Abinader, while Haiti’s embassy said the comments didn’t reflect Haiti’s government and urged neighborly respect. Haitian Community Remembrance: In Springfield, more than 200 people gathered to honor Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian immigrant who died by suicide, with speakers stressing dignity, hope, and support for his family. Arts & Film (Diaspora): Brooklyn Horror Film Festival will premiere Clay von Carlowitz’s supernatural short “Viewfinder” on Oct. 17 at Nitehawk Cinema Williamsburg. Fashion (Haitian Influence): Haitian American designer Daveed Baptiste brings New York street-culture to a Spring/Summer 2027 Converse collaboration. Culture & Language: A HaitiLibre “Did You Know?” quiz spotlights the Millau Viaduct, while another piece explains how French-based Creoles developed into full languages with their own histories.

Haiti Security & Human Rights: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that gangs in Port-au-Prince and beyond are adapting, expanding, and rearming, with at least 5,700 people killed or injured by gangs or during operations since Jan. 1 to Sept. 11, plus mass kidnappings and widespread sexual violence; he urged full, accelerated deployment of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force with strong human-rights safeguards. Hispaniola Football Rivalry: Haiti beat the Dominican Republic 4-1 in a sold-out Concacaf Nations League match in Santo Domingo, with Wilson Isidor scoring twice—while the Dominican Republic responded by banning Haiti from its stadiums after crowd trouble at the Felix Sánchez Olympic Stadium. Haitian Arts & Culture Abroad: Haitian American designer Daveed Baptiste brought New York street-culture energy to a Spring/Summer 2027 Converse collaboration, blending fashion, performance, and city imagery in a SoHo pop-up. Creole & Language Heritage: A feature explains how French-based Creoles became full languages with their own histories and structures, tracing how they diverged from French beyond vocabulary. Haiti in the Spotlight (Media/Film): A Haitian-themed horror short, “Viewfinder,” is set to premiere at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival on Oct. 17, with a voodoo-cursed camera driving a dark cliffhanger. Haiti Kidnappings Rise: Reports say kidnappings are surging ahead of elections, with UN figures citing 81 abductions between April and June and gangs targeting prominent figures.

Haiti Security & Elections: Kidnappings are surging ahead of Haiti’s long-delayed general elections, with UN figures citing at least 81 abductions between April and June—up 42%—as gangs increasingly target prominent figures, including Defense Ministry inspector general James Boyard and education official Stéphanie Paultre. UN Support for Anti-Gang Effort: The UN says it will keep backing Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force after its mandate renewal, while warning the humanitarian plan remains underfunded. Church Response: Haiti’s Catholic bishops issued an appeal urging action as armed groups expand, kidnappings traumatize families, and governance failures leave communities to fend for themselves. Arts & Culture (Diaspora): Haitian American designer Daveed Baptiste brings New York street culture to a Converse Spring/Summer 2027 collaboration, blending fashion with performance and city imagery. Food & Community: In Los Angeles, Haitian Knockout Kitchen’s bouyon class spotlights yams, memory, and community-building through Haitian cooking. Sports & Identity: Haiti beat the Dominican Republic 4-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League, feeding island pride with a sold-out crowd and a push toward quarterfinals. Fashion Trivia: A “Did You Know?” HaitiLibre quiz highlights Haitian-American designer Dayanne Danier and her Epice brand plus her Fleur de Vie nonprofit work. Court Watch (Haiti-linked): In the U.S., Haitian-connected missionary Maylon Foshee is set to return to federal court Oct. 12 after charges alleging sexual misconduct involving minors in Haiti.

Haiti Security: Kidnappings are surging in Haiti as gangs target prominent figures ahead of long-delayed general elections, with UN figures citing at least 81 abductions reported between April and June—up 42%—and officials warning elections can “accelerate” violence. UN Support: The UN Security Council extended the Gang Suppression Force mandate to March 2027, while UN leaders stressed the humanitarian plan still lacks major funding. Arts & Culture: Haitian Knockout Kitchen in Los Angeles is teaching bouyon with real Haitian ingredients and memory-based cooking, spotlighting food as community. Fashion Spotlight: A HaitiLibre quiz highlights Haitian-American designer Dayanne Danier, trained in Paris and building bridges between Port-au-Prince and New York through Epice and her education-focused nonprofit, Fleur de Vie. Diaspora Film: A Miami premiere of “Becoming Her” centers Haitian American women and the pressure of TPS ending, using documentary storytelling to raise awareness. Music/Community Events: Brooklyn’s 8th Annual Creole Food Festival returns Oct. 3 with Haitian and wider Creole diaspora chefs, plus live music and tastings.

Haitian Security Update: Haiti is seeing a sharp rise in kidnappings as elections near, with UN figures citing 81 abductions between April and June and gangs increasingly targeting high-profile people, including the kidnapping of police inspector general James Boyard. Church & Governance: Haiti’s Catholic bishops issued a direct appeal over worsening insecurity, governance failures, and the trauma kidnappings bring to schools and universities, while questioning whether the anti-gang force will deliver real protection. UN Support, Funding Gap: The UN confirmed it will keep backing Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force, but stressed the humanitarian plan is still far short of needed funding. Arts & Culture Abroad: In Miami, the documentary “Becoming Her” premieres this Saturday, amplifying Haitian American women’s stories amid uncertainty for Haitian immigrants. Food & Community: Brooklyn’s 8th Annual Creole Food Festival returns Oct. 3 at Brooklyn Bridge Park with Haitian flavors, live music, and a diaspora chef lineup. Fashion Spotlight: A Haitian-American fashion designer, Dayanne Danier, is highlighted in “Did You Know?” for bridging Port-au-Prince and New York through haute-couture training and textile education. Sports & Representation: Port-au-Prince hosted Haiti’s first National Symposium for Women Referees, training 50 referees across all departments with FIFA-aligned standards. Film & Media: A new Netflix miniseries adaptation of “East of Eden” spotlights Florence Pugh, while a Haitian-Canadian author’s AI scandal continues to ripple through French-language publishing.

Haitian Security & Church Voices: Haiti’s Catholic bishops warn that armed groups are advancing, kidnappings are rising, and governance is failing—while they question whether the anti-gang force and security institutions can truly restore control. UN Support for Anti-Gang Effort: The UN confirms it will keep backing Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force as the Security Council extends its mandate to March 31, 2027, but stresses the humanitarian plan is underfunded. Haiti Violence in Artibonite: A deadly shooting spree in Gros-Morne (Artibonite) left at least 11 civilians dead, with local officials linking the attack to gang retaliation after a GSF operation. Fashion Spotlight: Quiz.HaitiLibre highlights Haitian-American designer Dayanne Danier, trained in Paris and based in New York, founder of Epice and the education-focused nonprofit Fleur de Vie. Women in Haitian Football: Port-au-Prince hosted Haiti’s first National Symposium for Women Referees, training 50 referees across all departments with FIFA-aligned standards. Diaspora Food Culture: The 8th Annual Creole Food Festival returns Oct. 3 in Brooklyn Bridge Park with a powerhouse lineup of global diaspora chefs. Miami Film: “Becoming Her” premieres in Miami, amplifying Haitian American women’s stories amid uncertainty for Haitian immigrants. Sports on the Horizon: CONCACAF Nations League fixtures include Dominican Republic vs Haiti, with Haiti in the mix for quarterfinal positioning.