YAHA
History
The acronym “YAHA”, Young Adventist Haitians in America, is an organization created in response to a socio-economic/psychological crisis in the early 80’s, where Haitians were known as “boat people.” Marginalized as the poorest and uneducated in the west hemisphere, young people of Haitian descent were not accepted at the same level as others in schools and churches. This feeling of rejection created a syndrome that in turn fostered very low self-esteem. As a result, many young Haitians walked, talked, and dressed like others, rejecting their Haitian cultural heritage. There was an open denial of being Haitian.
By way of solution, we came up with the Haitian Flag Celebration under the banner of “Weekend Patriotique”, where ‘Haitian’ was celebrated. The results were awesome. From such humble beginnings, today, in the United States, the Haitian Flag is celebrated almost everywhere Haitian presence is felt.
Then, we felt the need for a formula that would embrace the three entities—Haitian, American, and Seventh-day Adventist—in one designation, united though distinct. Hence the creation of YAHA: Young Adventist Haitians in America. We want to stand for who and what we are, to be a salad bowl of unique, distinctive flavor and not simply a melting pot of sameness, indistinguishable from the rest. The main purpose of YAHA’s existence is to assist Young Adventist Haitians in America in standing on our own two feet by recognizing and valuing who we are, and to stop all forms of identity camouflage, cover up and disguise.
YAHA is the proud product of Haitians. The logo is a result of the fertile imaginings of a Haitian American within the Adventist Culture. It is a by-product of the marriage of the two cultures: Haitian & American. This is quite an achievement created for YAHA and by YAHA.
As Haitian-Americans we realize that we are not the first generation of Haitians to arrive on these shores via boats; we haven’t “just come”. Our forefathers, Haitian heroes, helped Americans fight for their Independence so that their dreams of freedom and justice could become a reality. As Haitians, we are a part of the warp and fabric of America’s dream. As YAHA, we claim all the rights and privileges that are rightfully ours as residents of this country, but we are also conscious of the responsibilities we bear to each other and to our God
The noble VISION of YAHA is being shared by many and different means. The most effective is the gathering of YAHA in convention.
• The first convention took place in 1995, Catskill, NY.
• The Second in 1999, Orlando, FL – “Empowering YAHA for the New Millennium”
• The third in 2001, Atlanta, GA – YAHA, We Have a Cause”
• The fourth was held: July 7 – 11, 2004 Catskill, NY – “YAHA, You are the Church!”
• The fifth YAHA took place in Stamford, Connecticut “New Vision, Same Mission”
• The most recent YAHA convention was held in Rockville, MD on August 29 – September 1, 2018