CHANNEL: Haitian

Emmanuel Verdine is a one-man force in giving Haitians and non-Haitians alike access to the Creole language. Through his books and dictionaries, he inspires Haitians to take pride in their roots, something that older generations have shunned upon arrival in America.

The Haitian Multi-Service Center in Dorchester recently held a forum on domestic violence, at which speakers such as Marlene Bastien, executive director of Haitian Women of Miami, discussed the harsh realities of family abuse.

An open letter to Dr. Carol Johnson, superintendent of Boston Public Schools, advises her on actions to take to end the blatant disrespect that some teacher have for Haitian students.

Students at Media Communications Technical High School in West Roxbury, Mass., held a Media Expo on Feb. 1. Guest speaker Mel King challenged them to use their media skills to solve social problems, reports NEWz's Frank Herron.

Haitians are afflicted disproportionately by diabetes, but a new initiative of the Center for Community Health, Education and Research in Boston seeks to change that, says the Boston Haitian Reporter.

African American, Latino and Haitian children have marked the success of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYS). At 5.8%, African American participaton in the BYS is higher than the 2% national average for professional orchestras, says the Dorchester Reporter.

The Association of Haitian Women and various health organizations in the Boston area will host an International Women's Day event on March 8, 2008, in Dorchester.

A new TV show for Haitians will focus on issues such as mental health and domestic violence as impacts of poverty, education, language barriers and other social factors, says the Boston Haitian Reporter.

Haitian parents in the U.S. face new challenges, such as youth gangs and drugs, on top of daily stressful realities. Mentoring programs can help these parents and their children, says educator Yolette Ibokette in this commentary for the Boston Haitian Reporter.

The Haitian Health Institute of Boston Medical Center will host a Health Careeer Seminar for high school students on April 12, to engage youth in conversations about health, says the Boston Haitian Reporter.