Boston Found
Founded four centuries ago, Boston has simply never settled. Conversations here determine the future, so let’s discover what’s next! Join us as we seek out the real Boston, past and present, through stories and perspectives that capture a city always in motion. Hosted by Martha Sheridan, CEO of Meet Boston, this is the Boston Found podcast.
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Boston Found
FIFA World Cup 2026 - What It Means for Boston's Haitian Community
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Haiti vs Scotland is Boston's opening World Cup match on June 13th. Tune in as we welcome local Bostonians to discuss how this match will impact one of the largest Haitian communities in Massachusetts.
Founded four centuries ago, Boston has simply never settled. Conversations here determine the future, so let's discover what's next. Join us as we seek out the real Boston, past and present, through stories and perspectives that capture a city always in motion. I'm Martha Sheridan, CEO of Meet Boston, and this is Boston Found. Welcome to Boston Found, the podcast of Meet Boston. Today we're so excited to welcome two friends to the program: City Councilor Ruth Z. Luigian and my friend Herbie Duvernay from Windwalker Group, a Meet Boston board member. Welcome to the show.
SPEAKER_00Thank you. Thank you. So happy to be here. Thank you.
SPEAKER_02So today we're going to talk about the World Cup. And most importantly, we're going to talk about the fact that your beloved Haitian team will be playing in Boston. It'll be the first match here. It'll be against Scotland. Scotland has not been to the World Cup since 1998, and Haiti since 1974, which is so exciting. Now you both have Haitian roots, and of course, we have a very vibrant Haitian community here in Boston. So what will this mean for your community and for you both personally? So we'll start with you, Herbie.
SPEAKER_00I think it's very exciting to have Haiti playing here and then Haiti playing the first game. I think this is an exciting time. And especially knowing that, you know, this is the third largest Haitian community. So I think a lot of Haitians are very proud people, as we are. I think it's going to be wonderful. So we're going to have a great time, and you're going to see all Haitian flag everywhere in Boston. That's going to be very lovely and nice.
SPEAKER_02We love it. And what are your thoughts on this? I know you're excited.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean, I think everybody nailed it. I mean, the Haitian community is so jazzed, so over the moon that team Haiti is in the World Cup after 52 years. And let's be honest here, in a time where Haiti, the country, is really struggling, the Haitian team did not play one of their qualifying games in Haiti because of the rampant political instability that the country is experiencing. And yet here they are, right? The hope that they're providing to so many. And also, they won this the qualifying match on probably one of the most important days in Haitian history. It was the last day of the Haitian Revolution, November 18th, 1803, that led Bataille de Vitier. It's the battle of Vetier that led the road for Haitian independence. It's what sealed the freedom of enslaved Haitians. And so there was so much symbolism, there's so much pride, there's so much, this is such an opportunity for us to experience joy amid so much pain. And so I think that's why like we're even more jazzed and excited about it.
SPEAKER_02That's fantastic. I did not know the connection there. That's a really an amazing connection. Well, I'd like to learn a little bit about both of you. So, Herbie, tell me a little bit about your Haitian roots. And I know you're from Haiti and moved here when you were 20 years old. So talk a little bit about your story and what brought you here.
SPEAKER_00Oh, thank you. Thank you, Martha. So I came here when I was 20 years old. Didn't speak a word of English. I went there to New York, spent about a year and a half in New York. Just like many immigrants, I did all type of work you can think of. I cleaned bathroom. I like to say I went to Harvard, but actually I was cleaning bathroom at Harvard. So I kind of said I like to Harvard. So I cleaned bathroom. I was a cab driver. You know, I came after New York, I came here, as I was saying, and then did all type of work. And then what I think was, and then I decided to go to school because in Haitian culture, in Haitian roots, education is a big thing. Even though I was older, but I always kind of have the same thing. My mom said you gotta go to school at some point. So I went to Northeastern, got a bachelor's degree and master's degree, and so forth. And then I started getting to business, and and then at some point I decided to do my own. And then now here I am. So so again, it's a long journey, but I'm I have to always say that this is a journey of typical immigrants people in this country. So that happened all the time. Whether the immigrants that came way before many of us, or the immigrants that come now. Usually immigrants people come to this country to work hard, do the right things, and that's why I'm so proud to be here. As an American, I'm very proud to be a Haitian immigrant American. I like to say that.
SPEAKER_02That's a story of grit and resilience, I would say, right? And Ruth C, you're from here. You were born in Boston, but you have Haitian roots. Tell me a little bit about your parents' journey and and what your life is like here in Boston as a Haitian American.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, my journey is, you know, different from Urby's in that I was born here and I'm, in a sense, American by birth, but definitely Haitian by the way my parents raised me to always sort of know who I am and know my roots. My father, growing up, we would have family meetings once a week where we talk about our school, our grades, but I would also read books in Crayol. Me and my sisters, in order for us to get our allowance for the week, would have to read and write uh creol from this book called Timalis, um, that would tell the story of Timalis and Vuki. Wow, I remember that. Yeah, yeah, that's what people know about. Um, and so for my parents, especially my father, it was incredibly important that we remain rooted in who we are. You know, and you know, my parents, they did not go to college because they came here and they were so focused. My mom's tried, she went to community college, but they were so focused on creating a life for me and my three sisters and taking care of family back home. But it's the reason why. And my mom, you know, my dad's first job, the old heads, the older heads will remember was at store 24. For those of you who remember store 24, my mom's first job was at Burger King. Herbie, you even just talking about, you know, cleaning Harvard. Because of the work that my parents did, I was able to go to Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School. But I would remember very actively like staying in classrooms after everyone had left and just trying to do find a place to just do my reading in quiet. And the janitors would come in and they would clean the classroom. And I kid you not, I felt more um, like had more in common with the janitors than I did with my students in my class because like they reflected sort of the working class background that I knew and that always felt like home. And so to the people who work in a whole place like Harvard, for me, they were always family, and so I did not know that about you, Herbie. That's where you started, and it just shows sort of like the possibility and the grit, like Martha said, that our people have. Um credible.
SPEAKER_02So let's talk a little bit more about the Haitian community here in Boston, and obviously, uh Council, you're very immersed in that community. Um, you represent many of them on the Boston City Council. I'd love to for you to tell our listeners a little bit about where is the cultural epicenter. We know that they are they are spread out, but I know there's there are pockets that are more densely populated with our Haitian uh community. What's the food scene like? And where can people go to explore this incredible culture?
SPEAKER_01Boston, like Herbie said, is the third largest Haitian population in the country. We are the second largest by percentage, but you know, I gotta let that go of my competitive spirit. So yes. Um, and you know, we're centered at Matapan and High Park, which are the two neighborhoods where I grew up, but Haitians are everywhere in the city in the city. I mean Haitians who live in East Boston, South Boston, Mission Hill. And that's where you'll find a lot of the Haitian restaurants, a lot of the Haitian cultural areas of importance. There is a Haitian Toussaint uh Louverture Cultural Center in the heart of our city, right next to TD Garden. So we are occupying space in every corner of this city. And we hope that when visitors come, that they explore all of Boston's neighborhoods, um, including Matipan and Hyde Park, where they can grow up on delicious Haitian food and catch a lot of a great Haitian cultural events, especially in June.
SPEAKER_02You want to weigh in here? I know that you must immerse yourself locally with your community.
SPEAKER_00No, what I love is, you know, you know, although I live outside Boston, but I will say when I go to Boston, love to go to some of those Haitian restaurants that's the parties. And if you ever have Haitian parties before, that's an experience.
SPEAKER_02What is that?
SPEAKER_00It's basically it's a flowerly, kind of like, you know, a breaded stuff with meat and everything's in it, and it's very fluffy, and as you eat in it, and all those spread is coming to you. So there's even shows bread crumbs everywhere. Bread crumbs everywhere. There's even shows on Instagram that talk about like, you know, the best thing to do in Haiti when you're eating this and the crumbs is on you. So my kids who's not bought in Haiti loves it.
SPEAKER_01Oh, that's right.
SPEAKER_00And and and I love it as well.
SPEAKER_01Haitian patties, that's right. Haitian patties. And there are also Haitian patty wars. So like I can't, as an at-large city council, I love them all. But there's a dispute about which which uh restaurant has the best patties uh between the ones that are in Matapan and Hyde Park and around the city. They're all great. And I'll let others in in get involved in the paddy wars, but it's a real thing.
SPEAKER_02We we definitely will not put you on the spot on that. So, you know, one thing that we're working on with our partners here in Boston is generating equitable impact um from the matches here, from the World Cup matches and really all of the major events that are happening this summer. We really want to make sure that we drive our visitors to every community in the region so that they don't just hang out in what we call the, you know, the Fenway to Daniel Hall area, but really get to experience all of the incredible communities and cultures here. Counselor, I want to start with you because you've been very um intentional about this. How important is it for us to really work hard in making sure that we spread this opportunity around every neighborhood in Boston?
SPEAKER_01It should be the number one priority. And it should be the number one priority for everyone. I think the work of making sure that our businesses that have been too long excluded or discriminated against are really at the table and able to make the most of these opportunities. And we have to have that as our priority and be intentional in order for that to happen because a lot of times your ability to get a contract or your ability to succeed economically depends on your social capital. And oftentimes you may not know who to talk to or may not know how to be successful in the grant application. So we have to meet people where they are, business owners where they are, where they are, to make sure that they're able to take advantage of these opportunities. So we've been holding hearings on the Boston City Council about equitable opportunities to contracts, trying to connect people as much as possible, whether it be teams directly to businesses and embassies to businesses, working with Me Boston, talking about what are what Me Boston is doing, what are other organizations and entities are doing to make sure that we're working with groups that do the work of making sure that we're centering black and brown communities and other communities that have been marginalized in opportunities.
SPEAKER_02That's fantastic. Well, we already know that there's a great partnership that's been formed between a Haitian restaurant owner and a Scottish restaurant owner, the Haven. So they're gonna partner together for a fantastic watch party for the Haiti Scotland game and other games. So I love that pairing. I mean, that's just such a beautiful formation. You mentioned contracts, Herbie. We're excited that you and we're announcing very formally via a press release shortly that you have received the one of the largest contracts really for the uh World Cup and in the uh security for the Fan Fest. So let's talk a little bit about that and you know what that means for your business and and for your team at Windwalker.
SPEAKER_00I mean, one thing is let me let me make it that clear that you know, thank you to you, Martha. You know, you've been an advocate, you know, over a year and a half. We don't have the time to tell the story. Over a year and a half that we've been working on this opportunity.
SPEAKER_02All things happen at the Celtics game. That's all we'll say.
SPEAKER_00All things happen at the Celtics game, indeed. And and Martha, you've been an advocate, and I really want to thank you for that.
SPEAKER_02You make it easy, you make it easy.
SPEAKER_00Um, but I will say that this is a great opportunity for us. You know, we are very excited. We are a company of almost 200 people, and 68% of our people are people of color, and then about more than 50 of them live in Boston and all different backgrounds and everything else. And so we're so excited to know that we are going to do security because the thing about us is you know, we know a lot about risk. Our job is to reduce risk, but also what our firm is good at is not only reduce risk, but also welcome people because we don't want security to become a nuisance to anybody. We also don't want security to become like, well, not friendly. So we are going to welcome people, we're gonna make people safe, we're gonna do our job, but it's gonna be a wonderful opportunity, not just with Boston, but also with the FIFA world or the B-26, you know, they've been super, super collaborative with us to make sure that we work together to get this thing to where it needs to be. I say in business is you need two people in the business, not only the vendors providing that services, but also the customer. If the customer doesn't work well with you, you're not gonna be successful. In this case, I will tell you what we see so far is our customers, you know, from the B-26 and uh the Boston Soccer 26. They've been doing tremendous work to collaborate with the work with us and get this thing done. I have full confidence we're gonna have a safe, wonderful, welcoming event in front of the City Hall, Boston.
SPEAKER_02That's fantastic. Well, we had the privilege of working with you on our winter activation Frost of Winwalker provided the security, and I will attest to the fact that you were about the customer, and your colleagues and associates in at Winwalker became ambassadors for us. I mean, well-known faces that whenever you walked into the tent, you were like, hey, how's it going? So it was a beautiful thing. And you'll be working with Sale Boston as well, correct?
SPEAKER_00That's right. We also have a contradiction. Busy summer. Very busy summer.
SPEAKER_02Wow, it's crazy.
SPEAKER_00We knew about that a year and a half ago where we knew it's gonna be busy. So, Sale Boston, we're gonna do security for them as well. We're gonna again provide the same level of service and excellence that we bring to every one of our clients. So it's gonna be fun.
SPEAKER_02That's a challenging one, too. It's gonna be fun. I'm on that board, and I mean, you've got to, you know, they've got to cordon off some of the wharfs, and it's gonna be very interesting. But it's very interesting, but we know you've got it.
SPEAKER_00But we're up to the challenge. That's gonna be fun.
SPEAKER_02So the fanfest counselor will be right outside your door at City Hall Plaza. We are so excited about our fanfest. We think it's gonna be one of the best in the country, to be honest with you. I think A, because we have great vendors working on it that know what they're doing. B, it's a great site right in the heart of the city. We're also gonna make sure that it's culturally diverse, that we're bringing in different organizations to show off the the diversity of this great city. Tell us your plans on attending fanfest. Are you gonna have a tough time going walking into the building when this is outside your door?
SPEAKER_01We're gonna be in budget season, so it's gonna be a hard time to juggle it all.
SPEAKER_00We'll make sure we escort you.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I know. Um it's funny, I have great prime seating from my window. I look out to City Hall Plaza and can see all the activities, but I'm really excited about what this means for our city. Just this morning, I was on the, uh I was, you know, texting with my staffer, make sure that we sent uh this Ghanaian cultural group, because Ghana is also playing in the World Cup here in Boston, that they know about the applications uh that uh FIFA 2026 just put out for performers for City, uh, for the for the FanFast. So I'm excited about that. I'm excited about the cultural diversity that you mentioned. I'm I'm excited that our city hall, which I really, whenever anyone comes to visit, I said this is your city hall, will become the people's city hall, we'll become the visitor's city hall. And that's really exciting.
SPEAKER_02That's fantastic. Well, you mentioned Ghana, we've talked about Haiti, we've talked about Scotland. We like to think that we have one of the best draws in the country, really, for the World Cup with our seven matches. We've got, in addition to those three teams, we've got England, we've got France, we've got Norway, and of course Morocco. There's a vibrant Moroccan community in and around Boston. So we're super excited about that. Herbie, you're probably a soccer fan, I'm guessing. Yes. What do you think about our draw? Because I know I'm very excited about it, but I love to hear other people's opinions.
SPEAKER_00I mean, I think it's it's great, but I also think the semifinal, that's gonna that's gonna be really good. I mean, again, we may have an opportunity to even get a better team here. Uh, but I'm hoping, you know, again, I'm a big fan of Haiti. I'm a big fan of, you know, uh too bad the Italian did not make it.
SPEAKER_02That would have been big for Boston.
SPEAKER_00Some of those great team, you know.
SPEAKER_02I know our North End friends are were hoping for that.
SPEAKER_00Too bad for that. But at the same time, you know, I'm looking forward a lot of, you know, not just the game that's gonna happen here, but also the game that's gonna happen elsewhere. You know, Brazil, you know, you talk to most Haitian people, is that Haiti is their first team and Brazil is a second team. And if if if Haiti is not in the World Cup, Brazil will be the first. So I'm looking forward to a lot of great, great.
SPEAKER_01And when Haiti And when Haiti plays Brazil, I think Haitians are they don't know what to do. Like, who do I root for?
SPEAKER_02Well, you know, I do think it's worth noting that at the fan fest, we're not just gonna see the matches taking place in Foxborough. We'll get to see the the matches that are taking place all over North America. So I think that'll be super exciting. But I do, you know, I just want to dig a little bit deeper into sort of the cultural aspect when you think about countries like Ghana, countries like Morocco, France is base camping here. So we're gonna be immersed in French culture with that team staying here for 40 days. Norway is standing up an activation on the Greenway. So we're gonna see all sorts of activations all over the place. How exciting is that for you as someone who represents this diverse community to be able to, you know, see this passion and pride for different countries on display here in Boston.
SPEAKER_01I'm so excited because that's what the best of us all is, right? The fact that, like, yes, I am so ecstatic that Team Haiti is playing. I'm just, uh, it's just, I'm over the moon about it. And I'm excited for the Scottish fans, the Tartan Army that are gonna come here and kilts, right? And I'm excited for Cape Verde. Like it's, you know, we have a very large Cape Verdean population in Boston. And even though they're not playing in Boston, how are we supporting activations in the Cape Verdean community so that they can be as joyous and as celebratory of this agree of this great moment? The way that you talked about the Haven and Ula Cafe, the Haitian-owned Ula Cafe coming together to do an incredible event. Like celebrating who you are doesn't take away from the fact that other people are celebrating who they are and that we can do that in a way that is harmonious and is joyous. And yes, my team is going to beat uh Team Scotland, but in the before, you know, how can we celebrate each other and allow you to uplift your culture and who you are in the process? And that's what I think, you know, especially in these moments of so much division, so much tribalism that is rooted in xenophobia and racism, that we can see what it looks like to really uplift and to and celebrate diversity, diversity that exists in Boston, diversity that comes to Boston and uh via tourism. It's also one of the reasons why, you know, we've already in my office, we've done so many press communications with Scottish press because we want them to make sure that the Tartan Army, they have a page on Instagram. We want to make sure that they know about the flaky patties in Mattapan and High Park and the Caribbean restaurants and the places in Roxbury and what it means to take a walking tour with Live Like a Local. So we're sending out all of that information so that they can be immersed in the true sense of what Boston really is. Not just a portion of Boston that most people see. If you know, go to, you know, yes, we tell them go take a duck tour and take a walking tour with live like a local. So I just am really excited about the opportunities for our city and the opportunities for people to see our city and also uplift our collective diversity.
SPEAKER_02I love that. Well, and I think it's worth noting that while the fanfest is at City Hall Plaza, there will be other watch events, um, not just in Boston and in the different neighborhoods. I think there's probably four or five different neighborhood watch parties, but also in the greater Boston area, places like Brockton, Chelsea, out in uh Metro West area, they've people have worked really hard so that we can disperse, first of all, disperse crowds, but also encourage locals that you don't necessarily, we do want people to come to Boston, but you don't have to come into Boston to be a part of this extraordinary experience, and we're super excited about that. So the next big anniversary is the 400th of our beautiful city, and um, we're excited to celebrate that. Um, can you give us a little preview of what you think might be upcoming?
SPEAKER_01Well, I think it's important. We're celebrating this year our 250th alongside Tall Ships and the World Cup. And I'm uh uh happy to be a member of the commemoration uh commission as we think about how we're celebrating three 400 years of the incorporation of our city. Um, and also when we do so to tell the true story and the full story of Boston and you know, talk about Crispus Addicts and talk about Boston's place in the revolution and what how far we've come in the 400 years. So I also think this will lay the foundation for what we're going to be celebrating in 2030.
SPEAKER_02That's fantastic. And Herbie, we know that you live outside of the city, but you spend a lot of time here. And we always like to ask our guests, what are the things that you like to do when you're in Boston? We know that you're you're a father, you have children, well, almost grown children, but you know, what do you like to do when you you come into the city with your family?
SPEAKER_00Yes. So you're right, Martha. I spent a lot of time in Boston. You know, my business headquarters in Boston. So a few things. One is I love some of this restaurant in Boston. I also love some of the spot. I'm thinking about Dudley Cafe. This is a place that I that I love going. The diversity of the place, the food. You go there, you feel I don't know. Home and all different types of people. So I love restaurants like Chef Dave. I'm just sticking to my head. Mita is another again. I mean, I mean, those places go to my head. When I come to Boston, other than to walk, I just come to eat.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I love it. I love it. That's easy to do here. That's eating Boston.
SPEAKER_00There's so many great places. And in all those places I'm talking about, those places that I've been, I love some of the food and the flavor, the customer service, the way they treat clients, which is a big thing for me. And I love that. So these are the best. And also, you know, my office in Charlestown, which is Boston. Many times I was talking to someone at the phone, they didn't think that. Boston. And I love, you know, you know, Charlestown. I love Charlestown. You know, my office is there. I love walking around and see all the different monuments and everything else.
SPEAKER_02It's a beautiful city. It's a beautiful neighborhood. Neighborhood. They're going to be buzzing with the Tartan Army as well, just so you know, because the anchor will be uh hosting a up to 2,000-person event every day. So be prepared for that. Yeah. So we truly are spreading things out. And I know you can't play favorites, counselor, but tell us tell us your favorite things to do on the when you do have a day off, which is probably very rare.
SPEAKER_01It was it was super interesting to hear Herbie's favorite spots because I share some of those in common. But you know, some of my I consider Park 54 and High Park to be an extension of my living room. Um, I love, I love, love the food from Suya Joint. They often are out in their food trucks. Um, there's some restaurants. Okay. Um there, I mean, I love Barcelona in the South End. That's a really good spot. Um, there are just so many options for folks in this city um to really be able to enjoy company, enjoy uh uh the diversity of the city, enjoy really, really good food. Um, and so I'm just hoping that people are able uh to explore, whether it be in Roxbury or the South End or Matipan or High Park uh or wherever it is, and so many, you know, we got we have the little Saigon district in Dorchester that has amazing Vietnamese food. Shout out to Balet Ban Me. They have the best Ban Me's in the city. I can't I've been going there forever, so I can I can say that. But um there's just so many really great spots in the city that I hope that um members of our community and our visitors go out and explore. And if anyone has any questions about the best spots in any neighborhood, we're happy to send out our list to folks or to, you know, our DMs are open on Instagram. Feel free to reach out and we're happy to offer our recommendations.
SPEAKER_02That's great. Yeah, we have a lot of content on Meet Boston as well. Um, we're working with Black Owned Boss, who's a great uh community partner on really lifting up black and brown-owned businesses so that when people come in and are looking for really a directory in in addition to what the city's doing of things to do in Boston, um, they're front and center. And that's been a core focus for us. So before we wrap up, can you um tell our listeners how they can find you?
SPEAKER_01Yes, you can send me an email. My contact information is online, root c.louishen at boston.gov. I know so easy to understand, but also you can find me on Instagram, root C for Boston, R-U-T-H-Z-E-E, uh, the number four Boston. We really do want to make sure that we're answering people's questions and connecting people to opportunity. So feel free to reach out. You can also give my office a call at 617-635-4376. I'm honored to have an incredible staff, and we're working, every single one of us, to make sure that this is a memorable, memorable experience for our entire city and for all of our visitors. Fantastic.
SPEAKER_02And Herbie.
SPEAKER_00Yes, best way to get in touch with us is to info at wenwalker.com, w-i-n-d, w a l-k-e-r.com. And also go on our website, www.winwalker.com. You get to us in one way or the other. We're very quick to get back to people.
SPEAKER_02This isn't in the script, but I'm gonna see if either of you or both of you want to address your Haitian community in Haitian Creole. Um, say anything about, you know, uh how they can welcome the World Cup to our city um in their native language. Go ahead. Okay, no, go ahead. Go ahead, go ahead.
SPEAKER_01Okay. I'm gonna start first because my creole is better than is worse than his. Oh. And so I don't want him to intimidate me. So I'll say, um at Patriot New York, I'm content. Uh, downtown Boston, if you will get a match in the city hall, fanfest, si vous voulez match Haiti Brazil, uh on the Boston Common, and we have to High Park and Made pour nous jouer. Donc vous avez plus d'information sur ça, mais nous sommes vraiment contents, especially, nous avons une difficulté dans la communité qui nous fait. Donc je demande à tous les gens pour nous venir, pour nous celebrer, pour nous en paix, et nous avons une façon tout fière parce que ce n'est pas un moment que nous jouons tout le temps. Nous avons 52 ans dans la Coupe Mondiale. Donc, je connais un moment who we have in Boston, your location. You have to find a bad bag, the Grenadiers are the community.
SPEAKER_00So, can be la vina, fetus, please, but we'll be lacking, can be tick no ensemble, can be la. I'm gonna make it very short. Thank you very much. That was it.
SPEAKER_02For those of you just listening and not watching, I am smiling from ear to ear because that is the most beautiful language. So wonderful. I can't thank you both enough for being with us today. It's going to be an incredible summer. We so appreciate your being here. Thanks for being on Meet Boston.
SPEAKER_00Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for having me.
SPEAKER_02Thank you for having me. Looking to find more Boston stories? Go to meatboston.com and don't forget to share and subscribe to the Boston Found podcast.