Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month

This is a special post written by Charles Warren, Curriculum Developer at Triangle. Charlie is also a member of Triangle’s Racial Equity Task Force. As part of our commitment to the work of our Racial Equity Task Force, we will be sharing more information with you on subjects related to racial equity and disability justice. This post continues our series dedicated to calling attention to the contributions of people with disabilities to American history.

Did you know that May is Haitian Heritage Month? This week, we are highlighting Haitian Americans who are focused on increasing awareness and empowerment for Haitian Americans with disabilities.

Femita Ayanbeku – Paralympic Athlete

Femita Ayanbeku is an American Paralympic athlete of Haitian and Nigerian descent who competes in sprinting events at international track and field competitions. Femita became an amputee after a car accident, and, following her recovery, immediately pursued sports, eventually finding her way to track and field.

Mama Cax – Disability Rights Activist and Model

Mama Cax  (1989 – 2019) was a Haitian American disability rights activist and model who broke boundaries in her industry by embracing and emphasizing her disability.  As a teenager, she used her prosthetic leg as an opportunity to express herself with bold colors and patterns, which led to a career in fashion.  Mama used her platform and work as a motivational speaker to raise awareness for the disability community and convey a message rooted in body appreciation.