January 6, 2023
Local residents in the City of North Miami and throughout the Haitian American community mourn the recent loss of a great icon and community activist, Jean-Claude Exulien, 85. Well known as Mét Zin, Exulien was an advocate for immigration rights of Haitians seeking asylum in the United States. He also fought to address the needs of the migrant population and used his position as the social services director of the Haitian American Community Association of Dade County to facilitate assistance.
“North Miami is saddened by the passing of Mét Zin,” North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme, Ed.D. shared. “He helped so many people from Haiti secure a better life in the United States. We are forever grateful for his service and his tireless efforts to advance the Haitian American community in South Florida.”
Exulien came to Miami in 1977, fleeing the dictatorship and persecution of Haiti’s Duvalier regium. He soon became emersed in advocacy, founded local non-profits like Konbit Libéte, taught Haitian history, and instilled self-pride in the Haitian people. Even though he had bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and economics, he was quite fond of the theater and appeared in such plays as Sosyete Koukouy Miyami’s Bwa Kayiman in which he played the role of freedom fighter Boukman.
A longtime resident of Little Haiti in Miami, Exulien is survived by his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, neighbors, and a host of friends and community supporters.
To schedule an interview about the passing of Exulien with North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme, Ed.D., email communications@NorthMiamiFL.gov.
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Media Contact
Traci Y. Pollock, Communications Manager
305-893-6511, Ext. 12151
tpollock@northmiamifl.gov
About the City of North Miami
North Miami is a suburban city located in northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is roughly 10 miles (16 km) north of Miami. The city lies on Biscayne Bay which surrounds the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. North Miami is home to a diverse demographic of residents. With more than 64,000 residents, North Miami is the sixth largest city in Miami-Dade County. We are home to the Oleta River State Park; the largest urban park in the Florida State Park System and the nationally accredited Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA North Miami).
