Black Man on the Titanic. Serge Bile

Joseph Laroche was a black man particularly well educated for his time. His presence on the Titanic was an exception as few blacks traveled on such luxurious ships in first or second class After the tragedy, the Americans showed a great solidarity with the survivors when they arrived in the United States: the wife and the daughters of Joseph Laroche were totally sponsored by a rich heiress in New-York. The story of Joseph Laroche is part of Haitian history: He is the descendant of the father of Haitian independence; he is also related to two Haitian presidents.