May 18th brought a burst of color and pride to a quiet corner of South Orange, New Jersey. In the backyard of Église du Bon Berger, the air buzzed with the sound of Haitian drums, laughter, and the soft rustling of red and blue flags. This wasn’t just another community gathering—it was a homecoming.
Wyclef Jean, international artist and proud son of Haiti, had returned to celebrate Haitian Flag Day at the very church where his late father, Pastor Jean, once preached. But this time, the sanctuary wasn’t indoors—it was outside, under the open sky, in the same backyard where Clef once played as a child.
The lawn had been transformed. Folding chairs were set in rows, speakers lined the grass, and the Haitian flag flew high against the spring sky. Members of the community came dressed in their brightest outfits—many in red and blue—carrying generations of pride and tradition.
Wyclef walked in quietly, greeted with hugs and handshakes. No grand entrance. Just family.
He took the mic set up near a modest wooden stage and looked out at the crowd. His voice trembled with memory.
“My father stood right inside this church for years,” he said, pointing to the modest brick building behind him. “But out here, in this backyard, is where I really learned what it meant to be Haitian. The food, the music, the stories, the strength. This yard raised me.”
Cheers erupted.
Then came the music. Wyclef picked up his guitar and strummed the opening chords of “Sak Pase,” blending hip-hop with rara, storytelling with rhythm. Children danced barefoot in the grass. Elders clapped along. A local drum group joined in, turning the backyard into a full-on celebration of culture, resilience, and unity.
Between songs, he shared stories—of leaving Haiti as a child, of growing up in the halls of Bon Berger, of watching his father lead with faith and humility. He spoke of the flag not as a symbol, but as a living connection to a people who never gave up.
Near the end of the evening, Wyclef stood in silence, holding the flag in his hands.
“This isn’t just about where we come from,” he said. “It’s about where we’re going. And I’ll carry this flag with me wherever I go—just like my father did.”
As twilight settled over South Orange, the backyard of Bon Berger glowed—not just with lights, but with spirit. And in that moment, surrounded by community, history, and song, Wyclef Jean wasn’t just a star.
He was home.
Samuel Georges
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