Join a Beyond Borders Circle and explore Haitian literature, music, travel, and more in a small group setting either online or at regional, in-person gatherings.

You’ll have the opportunity to join in discussions with fellow Beyond Borders supporters and learn about the people and places in Haiti that have captured our collective imagination. Register today using the form on this page.

Join us as we read and discuss three works by Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat.

This circle – convened by community journalist, longtime educator, and Beyond Borders supporter Carole Hawke – will discuss works by Edwidge Danticat: a memoir, a novel, and a set of short stories. Danticat’s works reflect universal themes of love, loyalty, loss, separation, longing, and the distance between what we feel and what we can express. Set in the context of Haiti and her diasporic communities, her books will increase your empathy toward others and understanding of Haitian culture and history. Join us for one, two, or all three circle gatherings.

Dates and Times: (All Times Eastern)

• November 14, 2024, 7:30-9:00 PM:
  Brother I’m Dying
• December 12, 2024, 7:30-9:00 PM:
  Everything Inside
• January 9, 2025, 7:30-9:00 PM:
  Claire of the Sea Light

Join us as we connect with each other, God, and the people of Haiti whom we are standing alongside as part of our Beyond Borders family.

This circle – convened by Beyond Borders supporters Siri Craft, a retired family nurse practioner, and Mary Ann Holtz, a psychotherapist and educator – will meet to pray and to share and learn from each other about prayer. We will read something that allows us to be inspired – scripture, a poem, an excerpt from a book – and then share from our hearts what we find meaningful. We will also learn about Beyond Borders work in Haiti – the challenges and the highlights – then join together in thanksgiving and intercessory prayer, followed by a time of silent prayer. People of all faiths and traditions are welcome to join.

Dates and Times: (All Times Eastern)

• November 7, 2024, 3:30-5:00 PM
• November 21, 2024, 3:30-5:00 PM
• December 5, 2024, 3:30-5:00 PM

The goal of our new Circles program is to build community among Beyond Borders supporters. We hope that our Circles will also attract participants from other organizations that love and care about Haiti.

If you’d enjoy being part of the creative visioning, recruiting, and management of the Circles initiative, please join our Circles Development Team. Our team believes that as we all get acquainted, we’ll discover each other’s individual gifts, find connections between them, and harness the energy of that synergy. We’ll strengthen our organization by building community and engaging people in new ways who desire a deeper connection to Beyond Borders and to Haiti.

Dates and Times: (All Times Eastern)

• November 19, 2024, 6:00-7:30 PM
• December 17, 2024, 6:00-7:30 PM
• January 21, 2025, 6:00-7:30 PM

So many Beyond Borders supporters have reached out to share their desire to be in solidarity with the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio. At the same time, we know it’s not the job of Springfield or other diaspora communities to make us feel wanted, to absorb our desires to ‘help’, to find things for us to do that may take more time to organize than they’re worth. But what to do? Where to begin?

Join us as we figure out the answers to these questions together. This Circle won’t be about instant gratification, and of course… that’s not the way relationships develop. We’re going to be in it for the long haul, and we’ll have to be willing to listen, work, watch, and wait together for as long as it takes. Co-led by board member Jeff Singleton and staff member Brian Stevens.

Dates and Times: (All Times Eastern)

• November 13, 2024, 6:00-7:00 PM
• November 26, 2024, 6:00-7:00 PM
• December 9, 2024, 6:00-7:00 PM

BB Programs In Depth (first in a series): “Rethinking Power” – Sara Siebert, Rethinking Power Program Co-Director, leads this program that invites Circle participants to experience the same training sessions as men and women in Haiti.  The BB Rethinking Power Program has been recognized for its groundbreaking work in reducing violence against women and girls.

Exploring Haitian Film with Cécile Accilien PhD, Professor of Francophone, African, and Caribbean Literatures and Cultures at the University of Maryland.

One Book, One Beyond Borders: Upcoming Book Club Circles

What Storm, What Thunder with board member Jeff Singleton. From Jeff: Imagine 1000 Beyond Borders supporters reading and discussing this great work. From the publisher: “At the end of a long, sweltering day, an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude shakes the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Award-winning author Myriam J. A. Chancy masterfully charts the inner lives of the characters affected by the disaster.” American Book Award Winner, Boston Globe, New York Public Library, and Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year selection.

Relationality: How Moving from Transactional to Transformational Relationships Can Reshape Our Lonely World. Join David Diggs, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director for this exploration of a book “for people who believe in the power of relationships and want to see increased investment in relational work. Its scientifically grounded framework will help readers foster conversations about relational work, establish conditions for relationships to thrive, and quantify the impact of them.”