Nou La! Edwin Raymond Just Made History as NYC’s First Haitian American Sheriff — and It’s About Damn Time
On August 3, 2026, Lieutenant Edwin Raymond was sworn in as New York City’s first Haitian American sheriff. This isn’t just a title — it’s a seismic shift in who holds power, and a direct challenge to the systems that have long mistreated our people. Here’s why this matters, and what you can do about it.
A Win That Hits Different
When Edwin Raymond raised his right hand on August 3, 2026, a whole community felt that jolt — that electric mix of pride and disbelief. A Haitian American — one of us, a son of the diaspora — was now the sheriff of the largest city in the United States. The Haitian Times broke the news, and the headline was simple, but the weight was enormous: 'Edwin Raymond Sworn In as NYC’s First Haitian American Sheriff.'
This is not a small thing. In a country where our community is often reduced to statistics of suffering, where our names are spoken in the same breath as earthquakes and crises, Edwin Raymond’s rise is a refutation. It says: we are not just victims. We are leaders. We are law. We are order. Nou la — we are here, and we are not leaving.
As of August 3, 2026, Edwin Raymond is the first Haitian American to hold the office of sheriff in New York City history. Source: Source: The Haitian Times, 2026-08-03
Who Is Edwin Raymond? (And Why His Story Is Our Story)
Before the sheriff’s badge, Edwin Raymond was a name that many in the diaspora already knew — a lieutenant in the NYPD, a whistleblower, a man who spoke truth to power even when it cost him. He became famous for testifying against police corruption, for refusing to stay silent when the system was rigged. That takes guts. That takes the kind of stubborn courage our grandparents called 'kouri nan san' — running in the blood.
But his story isn’t just about one man’s climb. It’s about every Haitian parent who worked double shifts, every kid who was told to 'be quiet and stay out of trouble,' every time we’ve been overlooked for a promotion, a loan, a seat at the table. Edwin Raymond didn’t just break a glass ceiling — he shattered it, and he did it with the weight of our community behind him.
The Haitian Times reported the swearing-in on August 3, 2026, but the story is bigger than a single date. It’s the culmination of years of organizing, of voting, of raising our voices. It’s proof that when we show up, we change the game.
What Does a Sheriff Actually Do? (And Why This Role Is So Powerful)
Let’s be honest — many of us didn’t know what a sheriff did until this moment. In New York City, the sheriff’s office is not just about chasing criminals. It’s about civil enforcement — evictions, warrants, property seizures, and, crucially, oversight. The sheriff has the power to execute court orders, which means they can be the difference between a family staying in their home or being thrown out. They can also be the gatekeeper for how the city handles protests, raids, and community safety.
For a community that has historically been over-policed and under-protected, having one of our own in that seat is a game-changer. It means there’s a chance — just a chance — that the system will look at us with eyes that understand our struggle. It means that when a Haitian immigrant is threatened with deportation, the sheriff’s office might think twice before cooperating with ICE. It means that when a landlord tries to illegally evict a family in Flatbush, there’s someone who knows the code, and knows the community.
Edwin Raymond was sworn in on August 3, 2026, making him the first Haitian American sheriff in NYC history — a position that oversees civil enforcement and court orders across the five boroughs. Source: Source: The Haitian Times, 2026-08-03
The Hard Truth: We’ve Been Invisible in Power
Let’s not sugarcoat it. For too long, the Haitian diaspora has been a powerhouse of culture, labor, and resilience — but rarely a powerhouse of political office. We have doctors, lawyers, engineers, and artists, but when it comes to the halls of power, we’ve been the ones knocking, not the ones opening the door. That’s not a failure of our community; it’s a failure of the system that has historically excluded us.
But Edwin Raymond’s win is not a fluke. It’s a signal. It says that the door is no longer locked. It says that our votes matter, our voices matter, and our presence matters. And it’s a reminder that we can’t stop here. One sheriff is not enough. We need judges, prosecutors, city council members, and mayors. We need to be in every room where decisions are made.
"This is a historic moment for the Haitian community in New York City. Edwin Raymond’s swearing-in is a testament to the power of persistence and the importance of representation." — The Haitian Times, 2026-08-03
What This Means for the Haitian Community
This is not just a symbolic win. It has real, tangible implications for every Haitian in New York City and beyond:
- A sheriff who understands our community can push for alternatives to mass evictions, especially in neighborhoods like Flatbush, Springfield Gardens, and North Miami where many of us live.
- It opens the door for more Haitian Americans to run for office — and to win. This is proof that it’s possible.
- It gives our young people a role model who looks like them and who fought the system and won.
- It shifts the narrative: we are not just a community in crisis; we are a community in power.
Note: But let’s be clear: representation alone is not liberation. Edwin Raymond has a tough job ahead, and he will need our support, our pressure, and our accountability. We must hold him to the highest standard, because he represents us all.
What You Can Do Right Now
This moment is not just about celebrating — it’s about mobilizing. Here are three concrete actions you can take today:
- Share this article and the news of Edwin Raymond’s swearing-in on your social media. Use the hashtag #HaitianSheriff and #NouLa. Make sure the world knows we are not invisible.
- Donate to or volunteer for Haitian community organizations that support civic engagement, like the Haitian American Caucus or the Haitian Bridge Alliance. They are the ones who get people registered to vote and run for office.
- If you live in New York City, reach out to Edwin Raymond’s office. Thank him, but also tell him what you need — housing justice, immigrant protections, and community-based safety. Let him know you’re watching.
Join the movement: sign up for our WhatsApp group to get alerts on Haitian diaspora wins and opportunities to get involved. Let’s turn this moment into a movement. Join the Movement: https://haitiancommunitycares.com/join
The Road Ahead
Edwin Raymond’s swearing-in is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line. It’s a starting gun. We have to keep running — for our rights, for our future, for our children. Men anpil chay pa lou — many hands make the load light. And with every Haitian American who steps into a position of power, the load gets lighter for all of us.
So let’s celebrate this win, but let’s also get to work. Because we deserve more than one sheriff. We deserve a seat at every table. And together, we will get it.
Nou la. We are here. And we are just getting started.