Meet Houston Haitians United (HHU)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Houston Haitians United (HHU) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Houston Haitians United, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The talent, resourcefulness, and passion of Houstonians, our members, partners, and leadership keeps us going! We cannot thank our supporters enough for their overall contributions, including our largest effort to date in 2021. That year, Houston Haitians United (HHU), along with local government, churches, and private sector partners, provided humanitarian support to 1,280 Haitians.

We are all about people, building strong connections, and fostering a sense of community. Houston Haitians United was formed to reinforce friendships between local Haitians and the wider Houston community. Since our founding in 2015, we have promoted the well-being and advancement of our constituents, who are of all backgrounds. We promote and uplift Haitian culture through advocacy, education, and cultural events. Many have come to know HHU through its enriching, family-friendly events, such as our annual Haitian Flag Day Family Picnic, Back to School Giveaway, and cultural showcase, Ekspresyon d’Ayiti.

In January 2026, we added a new annual event: The Haitian Independence Day Gala in Houston! More than 200 guests attended and relished in the taste of Soup Joumou, the customary soup served on New Years’ Day, the date on which Haitian independence is celebrated. On January 1st, 1804, Haiti was the first sovereign nation in the Western Hemisphere to permanently abolish slavery. Banned among the enslaved during slavery in Haiti, the soup is consumed liberally as a powerful expression of liberty and solidarity. Having such a large turnout in chilly January allowed us to share a nice, warm bowl of Soup Joumou with Houstonians and served as a call-to-action for unity, hope, and civic engagement.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We are a non-profit organization unified by the appreciation, honor, and respect for Haitian art, history, culture, food, and more. One need not be Haitian to join us; only a good conscience is needed.

We are proud to have affected change at the grassroots level. Whether it was our contribution to a recent missing person investigation in which the subject was later found safe, promoting civic engagement, advocacy against harmful practices targeting immigrant communities, or our health and education activities, we are steadfast defenders of justice and basic human rights. Through our corporate membership program, we have also established a robust platform where businesses can promote their services.

Growing pains and teachable moments will always exist, and we remember to take them in stride and be introspective. Transparency is key.

Although we celebrate of all our efforts, HHU is especially proud of our inclusion in a health collaborative that includes UTHealth Houston School of Public Health to promote diabetes prevention. HHU is part of a collaborative known as Houston Haitian Health (HHH or, Triple H) that receives support with capacity building as part of a wider year-long initiative by the Episcopal Health Foundation to improve health outcomes across Texas. The partnership exists alongside a research study by local doctoral student and will result in the first-ever Community Health Needs & Asset Assessment (CHNA) in partnership with Haitian residents of Harris County, Texas. The results of the study and resulting CHNA are groundbreaking because the results can be used by policymakers to better understand how to serve their constituents. Haitians in Texas, and the US, are often misunderstood and underrepresented in the media and public health data. The effort can be used by other groups as a framework to address their respective health issues and develop culturally-sensitive practices.

For more information about HHH, visit: https://www.haitianhealthdata.com/.

For more information about HHU, visit: https://www.houstonhaitiansunited.org/

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would definitely visit Alief/Southwest Houston. Why? It’s home to some of the best food in Houston! Historically, many Haitians settled in that part of town in the 1980s and 1990s. Even as the Haitian population in Houston eventually spread to other suburbs and parts of Houston, many Haitians still live, work, and worship in Alief or Southwest Houston. The area is home to several churches, restaurants, and other establishments catering to Haitian culture, including a radio station with programming in English, Haitian Creole and other languages!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
With humility, we honor the many pioneers who preceded us as leaders in the local Haitian community. To the pastors, community organizations, churches, and other entities who supported Haitians in Houston in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s: Mèsi (Thank You)! We respect your legacy.

We thank the Haitian community in Houston for their countless contributions in vital fields, such as logistics, healthcare, education, social sciences, and more! Your skills and talent make Houston Haitians United (HHU) great!

To the Houstonians, members, partner organizations, sponsors, and others who have contributed funds, their time, or other resources: Mèsi (Thank You)! We respect your contribution.

Website: https://www.houstonhaitiansunited.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hhunited1804/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/25070619/

Twitter: https://x.com/hhunited1804

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonHaitiansUnited

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hhunited1804

Other: Check out our podcast series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opEp19UFKSQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnqYmrqhT_0&t=267s

Image Credits
HHU Members and General Community