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Millions around the World are getting set to Celebrate Haitian Flag Day in a Monumental way

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Deandrea Hamilton

Editor 

 

May 15, 2025 – While there is no official global count of participants, it’s estimated that over 3.5 million Haitians living outside Haiti will commemorate Haitian Flag Day on May 18, 2025, alongside the nearly 12 million residents of Haiti itself, according to online sources.

Haitian Flag Day, observed annually on May 18, celebrates the creation of the Haitian flag in 1804 during the Haitian Revolution. The day is marked by parades, cultural festivals, and community gatherings both in Haiti and across the global Haitian diaspora.

In the United States, cities with significant Haitian populations host major celebrations. Brooklyn’s Haitian Culture Day Parade and Festival attracts over 10,000 attendees annually, featuring music, dance, and Haitian cuisine. Similarly, Miami’s Little Haiti Cultural Complex hosts events showcasing Haitian music, dance, and art.

In London, celebrations are listed for Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Pavilion Hall, located at 25 Avenue Road, South Norwood Lakes, London, SE25 4DX, starting at 3:00 PM. Organized by the Haitian Heritage Group UK, this gathering aims to honor Haiti’s Flag Day—a significant occasion commemorating the creation of the Haitian flag in 1803 during the nation’s fight for independence from France. The event will feature cultural performances, music, and community activities celebrating Haitian heritage and pride.

Tickets are priced at £8.00 and must be purchased in advance.                                                                                                                                                        These events not only honor Haitian heritage but also strengthen community bonds and cultural pride among Haitians worldwide.

Not to be outdone, Paris, France is set to host a significant Haitian Flag Day celebration on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The event, known as the Caribbean Flag Festival, is expected to draw over 1,000 attendees, highlighting the vibrant Haitian community in the city.

Haitian Flag Day Celebrations in Canada are many.  We begin in Montreal, Quebec which is home to one of the largest Haitian communities in Canada, will host multiple events including Haitian Flag Day Fest Montreal which is organized by Natyf TV; it’s to be held on Saturday.

There are also cultural displays like the one in Alberta to commemorate the 222nd Haitian Flag Day with a celebration on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Hellenic Banquet Hall. The event will feature cultural performances, music, and community engagement. It’s hosted by the Haiti Association of Calgary.

Canada will also colour the Falls.  In a symbolic tribute, Niagara Falls will be illuminated in red and blue, the colors of the Haitian flag, on May 18, 2025, from 10:15 AM to 10:30 PM. This gesture honors Haitian Flag Day and the contributions of the Haitian community in Canada.

Some of Haiti’s most famous people are:  Toussaint Louverture – Leader of the Haitian Revolution, instrumental in Haiti becoming the first Black republic and the first country to abolish slavery; Jean-Jacques Dessalines – Founding father of Haiti; declared the country’s independence in 1804 and became its first ruler; Henri Christophe – Key general in the revolution and later King of northern Haiti and Catherine Flon – Credited with sewing the first Haitian flag in 1803.  On the music and art scenes:  Wyclef Jean – Grammy-winning musician, producer, and former member of The Fugees. A strong advocate for Haiti; Michaëlle Jean – Former Governor General of Canada (2005–2010), born in Haiti; Emeline Michel – Acclaimed Haitian singer known as the “Queen of Haitian Song”; T-Vice – Popular Haitian band known for their impact on compas music and unforgettable, the iconic sound that helped catapult Salt-N-Pepa to fame—especially their breakout hit “Push It”—was significantly shaped by Haitian-American Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor.

Actors and Entertainers from Haiti include:  Jimmy Jean-Louis – Haitian actor known for roles in HeroesFat Girls, and international films and Garcelle Beauvais – Actress, model, and TV personality, known for The Jamie Foxx Show and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Haiti is also proud of these Intellectuals and Writers: Edwidge Danticat – Renowned Haitian-American author of Breath, Eyes, Memory and The Dew Breaker and Frankétienne – Influential writer, poet, and playwright; pioneer of the spiralisme literary movement.  On the list of most notable athletes with Haitian roots are: Naomi Osaka – While primarily identifying as Japanese-Haitian, the tennis star often acknowledges her Haitian roots and Jeff Louis – Haitian footballer who played for several European clubs and the national team.

An honourable mention in the sports category has to be NBA superstar Stephen Curry, who has won multiple championships as leader of the Golden State Warriors.  Curry’s mother is Haitian-born.

A recent famous addition to the long list of accomplished people from Haiti, is the newly elected Roman Catholic pontiff, Pope Leo XIV whose Haitian-American heritage is making social media rounds.

Haiti has long been an influence on the world, and though the republic has many times fallen into disarray, there is no denying its impact and indomitability.

It is the world’s first successful slave revolt, leading to the first independent Black republic.  Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean region, is also credited with inspired liberation movements across Latin America and the Caribbean and is the first country to permanently abolish slavery.

It is home to the largest fortress in the Western Hemisphere: Citadelle Laferrière and we are so in love with its music, Kompa and its food including Griot.

We wish the people of Haiti well as the nation of millions pushes past the current darkness, and it is very dark, to embrace the steady light of a new life that can be crafted with faith, focus and help from family and friends.

Happy Haitian Flag Day – “Lavi se pa blanch — men li toujou bèl” – which means life isn’t perfect, but life is beautiful!

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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