When Marcna Andy Pierre and Kedassa Barthelus arrived in the United States four years ago, they quickly realized the challenges many Haitian professionals face in navigating a new system. They felt compelled to do something as they watched fellow Haitians struggle to restart their careers. With their smartphones and a growing social media following, the two New Jersey residents began sharing their experiences online and debunking the misinformation they saw spreading.
“We saw professionals like us leaving everything behind in Haiti, only to feel lost here,” said Pierre, who works in the airline industry. “That’s when we decided to use our platform to make a difference.”
Pierre and Barthelus reached out to me, Documented’s Caribbean Community Correspondent, to speak at “Konekte,” the pair’s first in-person resource fair held in Brooklyn on Aug. 9. I shared guides and resources with attendees, and helped connect Haitian immigrants with the resources they need to succeed in the United States.
Also Read: Documented and NYLAG Dispel Misinformation for Immigrants
“When I saw professionals like me leaving their businesses in Haiti, we began sharing our experiences in the United States and addressing the spread of fake news,” said Pierre. “From the questions we received, we decided to launch this event.”
Pierre highlighted how many qualified Haitian professionals struggle to pursue their careers in the U.S. due to poor guidance or a lack of information on validating their credentials.
Leveraging their social media influence and connections in New York and New Jersey, Pierre and Barthelus, an agro-economist and humanitarian, organized the event, which attracted 106 participants, most of whom had recently arrived in the U.S. under the CHNV parole program.
Many traveled from New Jersey to the event’s location at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brooklyn to learn about resources, career opportunities, and job prospects in New York. “The turnout exceeded our expectations,” said Barthelus.
Participants inquired about job opportunities, particularly those related to validating professional certificates and continuing their careers in the U.S. The doctors and nurses in the audience sought guidance on how to validate credentials.
Also Read: Haitian Immigrants Under Humanitarian Parole Question Their Futures in the U.S.
Since launching a Caribbean news vertical, Documented has produced a series of guides in Haitian Creole to support newly arrived Haitian immigrants in New York. Documented continues to cover their experiences and contributions.
After Florida, New York is the second-highest destination for Haitian immigrants arriving in the U.S. From January 2023 to June 2024, more than 205,000 Haitian migrants were authorized to travel to the U.S. under the CHNV parole program, which allows citizens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to work temporarily in the U.S. for two years.
“There’s a huge need for resources, especially for newly arrived Haitians,” Pierre said.
Documented shared the panel with Woodeline Gedeon, a Haitian-American public sector consultant with extensive community experience since her arrival to the U.S. in 1999. Gedeon offered advice on career advancement and committed to assisting with résumé writing and job applications in New York City.
“My interactions with the migrants reinforced my belief in the importance of providing tailored support,” Gedeon said. “ I gained a deeper appreciation for the strength of the migrant community and the vital role that events like ‘Konekte’ play in helping them build successful lives in their new home.”
