Cap-Haïtien’s garbage crisis led to the dismissal of Mayor Yvrose Pierre. Angie Bell, a young entrepreneur, marketer and cultural specialist from the Haitian community in South Florida, is deeply involved in the northern city’s affairs and now heads a new mayoral team. Residents welcome the change, but many doubt her appointment will fix corruption issues and produce real results. Some say Bell is the founder and executive director of Pou Bèl Ayiti, an organization under contract with the city, raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
CAP-HAÏTIEN— Haiti’s second-largest city and cultural jewel is at a breaking point. A worsening sanitation crisis has piled trash onto its streets and clogged canals—despite having just celebrated its 355th anniversary—threatening public health and its historic image, keeping away tourism.
The crisis reached a peak last week when the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) dismissed Mayor Yvrose Pierre after years of criticism over mismanagement. On Aug. 20, the CPT appointed a three-member mayoral team led by Angie Bell, a young entrepreneur, marketer, cultural consultant and founder of Pou Bèl Ayiti or “For Beautiful Haiti” — an artistic environmental organization aimed at keeping the streets of Haiti clean. Bell has been very involved in cleaning efforts in Cap-Haïtien recently.
As a career highlight, Bell had worked as co-chair of the fundraising and public relations committee at the Haitian American Professionals Coalition (HAPC) and as marketing director of the Haitian American Historical Society (HAHS). Bell co-owns Atizan International, a marketing firm that promotes Haitian and Caribbean culture through event production and project management. She co-hosts the Ayiti Parle show on the Miami-based Island TV, where she continues to showcase pride in her heritage. She currently serves as vice rector and dean of business at Université des Atlantes in Cap-Haïtien— a position she has held since 2022.
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