Wilson Isidor Joins BAYO’s 10th Anniversary, Blondedy Ferdinand Walks the BET Awards Carpet, Naïka Continues Her Tour & Francis Mercier Premieres New Collaboration

Haiti

Rhum Barbancourt earned international recognition at the 2026 New York International Spirits Competition. Its Réserve du Domaine 15 Ans received a Gold Medal, while the historic distillery was also named Haitian Distillery of the Year following a blind tasting conducted by spirits industry professionals.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta, Wilson Isidor’s goal against Morocco was selected by FIFA as one of the standout goals of the tournament’s group stage, highlighting one of Haiti’s most memorable attacking moments.

To celebrate Haiti’s appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Montreal-based brand Je Love Haïti released a limited-edition capsule collection inspired by the Grenadiers. The collection features a T-shirt, hoodie and varsity jacket.

Haiti will be represented by Raphaël Grand’Pierre, Christian Jerome and Jude Jerome at the PanAm Aquatics Swimming Championships, taking place July 8–12 in Ibagué, Colombia. The competition will also serve as preparation for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo.

After an eight-year absence, Haiti’s men’s national 5×5 basketball team will return to international competition during the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers, scheduled for July 6–12 in Georgetown, Guyana. The Grenadiers will face Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Cayman Islands.

Diaspora

Festival Haïti en Folie will celebrate its 20th anniversary from July 23–27 at Montreal’s Parc Lafontaine with a new lineup showcasing Haitian arts and culture.

Legendary American record executive Clive Davis passed away in New York at the age of 94. Throughout his career, he worked with some of music’s biggest names and notably collaborated with Wyclef Jean and Santana on the Grammy Award-winning hit Maria Maria.

Poet and novelist James Noël became the first Haitian and Caribbean writer to receive the prestigious Prix Mallarmé for his poetry collection Paons.

Entrepreneur and entertainer Blondedy Ferdinand appeared on the red carpet at the 2026 BET Awards held at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater. She wore a custom design by stylist Adele Minaj, who also created her beauty look. Photos from the event were widely shared across social media throughout the Haitian diaspora.

At Solèy, a sold-out event held June 14 at Industry City in Brooklyn, Haitian DJ and producer Francis Mercier invited Haitian-American singer Rebecca Zama to premiere their unreleased collaboration, U&I, before a packed audience. The event also featured several leading Afro-house artists.

Singers Barbara Cassamajor and Wiliadel Denervil were honored at the second Canadian Selah Music Awards in Calgary. Cassamajor received Female Artist of the Year – Foreign Language, while Denervil won Collaboration Song of the Year – Foreign Language for Wont Ou Yo, recorded alongside Rosena Josselin Orys.

Dominican director Andrés Farías premiered his latest film, Melodrama, at the Miami Film Festival. Starring Jimmy Jean-Louis and Mercedes Morales, the film follows the story of a Haitian construction worker and a Dominican widow. It is scheduled to open in the Dominican Republic on July 2.

While performing at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Naïka surprised the audience by inviting Jessie Reyez on stage for a live performance of One Track Mind. Earlier in the tour, the French-Haitian singer also appeared at Madrid’s Noches del Botánico Festival in support of her debut album, ECLESIA.

Following a sold-out opening night in Boston, Michaël Brun’s BAYO continued celebrating its 10th anniversary with a three-night residency at Brooklyn Paramount in New York. Guests included KES, Paul Beaubrun, Alan Cavé, Emeline Michel, Tabou Combo, Lakou Mizik, Anie Alerte and Haitian footballer Wilson Isidor.

Wyclef Jean released Clef Notes – Quantum Leap, Vol. 1, an eight-track project now available across major streaming platforms. The release marks the beginning of a seven-year musical series featuring international collaborations.

Grammy-nominated flutist, composer and educator Nathalie Joachim continues to blend classical music with Haitian musical traditions. Born in Brooklyn to Haitian parents, she earned a Grammy nomination for Fanm d’Ayiti and currently teaches at Princeton University.

International

Naomi Osaka advanced to the semifinals of the Bad Homburg Open after defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova 6–2, 6–2 in just 59 minutes ahead of Wimbledon.

ABC and Disney will present a special two-day programming event on July 3 and 4 celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, featuring a parade in Gatlinburg, concerts in Nashville and a fireworks spectacular accompanied by the Nashville Symphony.

The Palace of Versailles will open a new gallery on July 4 commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence. The exhibition will feature paintings, sculptures and portraits of figures including Benjamin Franklin, Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington.

Céline Dion announced the release of her new French-language single, Pardon, Bonjour, Merci, arriving July 3. The song was written by Renaud Rebillaud and Ycare.

Pixar’s Toy Story 5, released on June 19, recorded the biggest domestic opening weekend of 2026 and became the second-highest animated film debut in box office history, behind Incredibles 2.

by Soraya Ades.