Haitian Connection president Renate meets with and joins the activities of organizations outside of Haiti that are also looking for ways to improve the lives of Haitians, both in Haiti and abroad.
Haitian American Museum of Chicago
In the United States, Haitian Connection works closely with the Haitian American Museum of Chicago. Dr. Renate Schneider made a presentation on Mental Health in Haiti and, as a community navigator, she gives “Know Your Rights” presentations in the community. Offered in English, French, Spanish and Haitian Creole, the presentations at Olive Harvey College, churches, and libraries around the city have been well received.
If you would like to schedule a presentation, contact Carlos at the museum, 773/213-8169.
AI Studies
Renate has been working with two professors from the University of Fondwa and with them submitted an abstract of their paper, “AI Microprojects in Haiti,” to an AI conference in California. Renate has been invited to present the paper, which will be printed for publication.
Caribbean Studies Conference
Renate presented “Building a Community Mental Health Program in Rural Haiti from the Bottom Up” at the Caribbean Studies Association’s conference. Renate traveled to the island of St. Martin for the Annual Caribbean Studies Association Conference, scheduled for St. Martin, June 1 – 7, 2025.
Renate found the conference to be an enriching experience, with a phenomenal level of scholarship. She commented, “Living in the USA, we are not always aware what is happening in other parts of the world. Traveling has widened my horizons and increased my respect for what scholars in other parts of the world are doing.” There were over 700 participants with more than 98 workshops dealing with racial injustice, climate disorder, reparations for Haiti, to name a few. The conference included authors’ celebrations and poetry readings, as well as a cultural excursion.
Haitian Summit
Dr. Renate Schneider, President of Haitian Connection, participated in the Haitian Summit held in Indianapolis from May 1 to May 3, 2025. Leaders, advocates and community members from across the United States came to together for a three-day summit focused on building a collective roadmap for the Haitian diaspora’s future. Hosted at the Global Village Welcome Center— in partnership with the Haitian American Alliance of New York (HAANY), Dieudonne Foundation, Lakou Indiana, and Pillars of Haiti (PoH)— the fourth Haitian Community Summit served as both a gathering and a call to action.
Edwidge Danticat
In May, Renate attended a luncheon in honor of Edwidge Danticat, best-selling Haitian American writer. It was hosted by The Daughters of Haiti and attended by many interested in Haiti.
Danticat is an irresistible presence on the page: full of heart, outrage, humor, clear thinking, and moral questioning, while reminding us of the possibilities of community. She has received many awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship.
Danticat’s latest book, We’re Alone, gathers essays exploring abiding themes: environmental catastrophe, the traumas of colonialism, motherhood, and the complexities of resilience, as well as tributes to mentors and heroes such as Toni Morrison, Paule Marshall, Gabriel Garcia, and James Baldwin.
Haitian Connection 