Haiti is at a critical juncture in its history, with deepening security issues, the collapse of public institutions and local government, and a surge in forced deportations from the U.S. Concerned political officials and leaders from the Haitian diaspora led a conversation last week at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., to review public and private sector solutions to Haiti’s humanitarian crisis.
“The conversation about Haiti no longer is a conversation about aid and how unfortunate Haiti is,” said Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, a fierce advocate for Haiti at the federal level in the U.S. “The conversation about Haiti now is how do we get it up to its level of brilliance and economic vitality? The conversation about Haiti now is how do we actually have a governance system that’s not just for today, but is sustainable for tomorrow? How do we help the children of Haiti actually arise and fight corruption?”
Cherfilus-McCormick said the Trump administration had effectively closed the Haitian Affairs Office in the State Department, but she and her colleagues in government were able to get it reopened. This ensures that funds and loans are available for local entrepreneurs looking to start businesses in Haiti and stimulate the economy, she said.
“I want a Haitian-led solution 100%, but, a Haitian-led solution does not absolve the international community of what they have to do to recompense Haiti,” said Cherfilus-McCormick. “Everything you have stolen must be returned. Every place you have hurt the country must be healed.”
Ariama C. Long photos
Rep. Gregory Meeks of Queens, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke briefly about attending the funeral for Haiti’s 58th president, Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated in July 2021 in Haiti. Artist and philosopher Joverlein Moïse, son of the late Haitian president, also attended the panel.
“They came and whispered in our ears that gangs were starting to gather,” said Meeks, recalling Moïse’s service. “We then heard gunshots in the distance … What upsets me is the fact that somebody is organizing this, and organizing these gangs with impunity — and many of them come back and forth to the United States of America. We know weapons and guns are not manufactured in Haiti.”
Meeks said that legislation for Haiti, like the HOPE/HELP Act (H.R. 1625) and the L’Ouverture Economic Development Plan for Haiti Act of 2025 (H.R.1114), would go a long way toward improving trade programs with Haiti and stabilize their supply chains for economic growth.
Other CBC panelists included Department of State Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Katherine Dueholm, Kreyol Essence Co-Founder and CEO Yve Car Momprousse, Kreyól Essence COO & Co-Founder Stéphane Jean-Baptiste, Banj Founder Marc Alain Boucicault, and Haitian rapper and singer Wyclef Jean.
They discussed their role in creating a Haitian private sector for job creation, community protection, and regional economic support, and the critical need for stable electricity and internet infrastructure for the island.
Jean is currently a consultant for Google AI Deepmind; chief music officer of OpenWav, an AI-powered music platform; a Global Citizen NOW Ambassador, and an avid supporter of youth robotics groups in Haiti through the Educáre Ayiti organization.
“You can’t have an investment in Haiti without having the most qualified people in Haiti running it. [It] is very important as we embark on investments to understand that,” said Jean. “With Haiti, we have a big chance. Half of the population is a youth population. Think about that. You have an entire workforce that’s present. At my age, I sponsor things that I feel are going to move us forward as a nation … I realize that if we feed and we look and we scout talent, then that one becomes you.”