As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Haitian refugees on South Florida’s shores, it is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of a community pioneer, educator and advocate who fought for the rights of Haitian Boat People.
Jean-Claude Exulien, 85, lovingly known as Mèt Zin, was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He attended L’Université D’Haiti where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology (1961) and economics (1968). He was the founder of the National Theater of Haiti, which opened in 1972, and a popular history professor at local universities. He moved to Miami on May 8, 1977, escaping the Duvalier dictatorship’s Fort Dimanche prison.
Upon his arrival to South Florida, Jean-Claude Exulien joined local and national efforts to advocate for the rights of the growing number of asylum seekers arriving to the US by sea. From 1977-1979, he was among the first three employees of South Florida’s first Haitian-led social service agency—the Haitian American Community Association of Dade County (HACAD). As HACAD’s director of social services, he worked tirelessly to address the multiple needs of the growing migrant population. “Jean-Claude Exulien was a gentleman and consummate educator who devoted his life to teaching Haitian history and civic responsibilities to his students and the Haitian community. He was a great advocate for the rights of asylum seekers, and he will be remembered by many as one who motivated the Haitian refugees to stand up for their rights," said Rulx Jean-Bart, former executive director of the Haitian Refugee Center.
Professor Exulien was also one of the founding members of the Miami-based organizing collective, Konbit Libète. He also continued to teach Haitian History to many South Florida residents and activists, emphasizing the importance of understanding one’s history in order to chart a new path as an immigrant. He was also a co-host on Radio Solèy, one of the first Haitian Creole public affairs talk radio shows. Mèt Zin participated in countless community conferences, forums, presentations and radio talk shows to advance his dual passion for history and civic engagement. A trained actor, one of his most acclaimed performances was in Sosyete Koukouy Miyami’s theatrical production, Bwa Kayiman, in which he portrayed the famed freedom fighter Boukman.
In addition to his love of theater, he was passionate about books and newspapers. Many years ago, he gifted Sant La boxes of newspaper clippings that tell the story of Haitians in South Florida. His passion for education informed the entire course of his career. He worked as a program director and instructor at the Center for Information and Orientation in Little Haiti where he continued to teach history and literacy.
Jean Claude Exulien, a lifelong resident of Little Haiti is survived by his wife Mona, four adult children and grandchildren.
“As we continue to face vulnerable migrant populations arriving by land and by sea, may we be forever inspired by Jean Claude Exulien’s words and deeds,” said Gepsie M. Metellus, Sant La's Executive Director.
