Celebrating Milestones in Haitian Creole Advocacy and Community Impact

Atik sa a disponib an kreyòl ayisyen.  Klike la oswa chwazi "Français" sou tèt paj la pou w la li l.

As the year ends, we reflect on our journey and our mission to bring Haitian Creole to the global stage. Whether through translation, localization, or cultural advocacy, we’ve worked tirelessly to showcase the beauty and significance of our language. This article offers a glimpse into my day, from managing high-stakes projects to overcoming unexpected challenges—all driven by a deep commitment to advancing Haitian Creole and empowering communities.

Creole Solutions: A Unique Vision

We focus exclusively on Haitian Creole—a strategic choice rooted in passion and purpose. Despite being spoken by over 11 million people, Haitian Creole is often dismissed or overlooked.

For example, while only 5-10% of Haitians speak French fluently, most educational and government materials remain in French, contributing to literacy challenges where 40% of adults struggle to read and write. Haitian Creole bridges this gap, creating pathways for equitable access to education and resources.

In the digital space, Haitian Creole remains underrepresented, limiting tools and opportunities for its speakers. This year, we tackled this challenge by translating a hospital's patient portal into Haitian Creole. Previously available only in English and Spanish, the portal had created barriers for Creole-speaking patients seeking critical healthcare information. By localizing the content, we made it easier for patients to access test results, appointment schedules, and health resources in their native language. This project demonstrated how language inclusion can break barriers, improve accessibility, and ultimately enhance healthcare outcomes.

What began as a solo freelance effort has grown into a language solutions provider serving Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, and government agencies. This year, we expanded our partnerships, tackled complex localization projects, and delivered high-quality interpreting services to help Haitian Creole reach broader audiences.

The Spirit of the Lakou

By mid-morning, I connect with my team in our virtual lakou  (yard) — a space rooted in Haitian tradition that symbolizes community. Here, we unite our efforts, resolve challenges, and ensure consistency across projects. I’m proud of our konbit (collective work) approach, which represents how we work together to achieve shared goals. This collective spirit includes mentorship, where experienced linguists guide newer team members, fostering growth and collaboration. Together, the lakou and konbit embody the teamwork that drives our mission forward.

Deepening Our Community Impact

This year, we deepened our engagement with Haitian communities at home and abroad.

In Haiti, we celebrated Creole Heritage Month with events, including a youth writing contest that celebrated pride and creativity in our language. One participant shared, “Writing in Creole made me feel proud because it’s who I am. I want the world to see how beautiful our language is.”

We also worked with the Haitian community in Chicago to provide safety and healthcare training for Haitian newcomers working in the manufacturing industry, helping them integrate and thrive in their new roles.

NAAHP conference in Atlanta  We connected with Haitian professionals driving positive change and shared Creole Solutions’ vision.

Haitian Book Fair in Paris In Paris, I introduced my adaptation of The Twins of Ti Marasa into Haitian Creole—a moment that showcased the power of storytelling in our native language.

Haitian Center in Evansville Closer to home, we partnered to create educational materials for their summer camp, helping Haitian kids stay connected to their roots.

Persevering Through Instability

Haiti faced extraordinary challenges this year—violence, instability, and infrastructure disruptions. Yet, the resilience of our team stood out. I remember one morning when a team member walked miles to find a stable internet connection for a meeting. Their determination reminded me that our work is more than translation—it’s about showing up, no matter the circumstances, to create opportunity and hope.

Championing Haitian Creole’s Global Impact

Haitian Creole is gaining recognition, and I’m proud to see it valued in new spaces. Whether presenting to industry leaders about Creole’s role in global communication or helping businesses create inclusive training tools, our work is making a difference.

One standout project involved a Florida hotel chain onboarding Haitian housekeeping staff. Instead of a printed manual, we created engaging training videos with Haitian Creole voiceovers—an approach that addressed varying literacy levels. The results were immediate: staff adapted quickly, and the hotel management expressed their excitement about the impact. Projects like these showcase how Haitian Creole can drive practical, meaningful solutions.

Upholding Quality, One Project at a Time

At Creole Solutions, quality is non-negotiable. In a world where shortcuts like machine translation tools are tempting, we rely on research, cultural nuance, and advanced CAT tools to deliver excellence.

This year, we onboarded new contractors who mastered our rigorous processes, ensuring our work consistently meets the highest standards.

Looking Ahead

As the afternoon winds down, I shift my focus to the future. The tasks I managed earlier—client coordination, project oversight, and team collaboration—lay the foundation for growth. Though we began with simple *Creole Word of the Day* posts on Instagram, today our digital presence reaches thousands worldwide.

Next year, we have exciting plans:

Gratitude and New Horizons

If you share our passion for Haitian Creole, I invite you to learn more about our initiatives, collaborate on upcoming projects, or explore ways to support our mission. Together, we can amplify the beauty and importance of our language and make 2025 an even more transformative year for Haitian Creole advocacy and community growth.

Atik sa a disponib an kreyòl ayisyen.  Klike la oswa chwazi "Français" sou tèt paj la pou w la li l.