BèlNègès! When Christina “Krissy” Julme initially conceptualized an online hub for young women in Haiti—some in her circle felt it would never work. First and foremost, she wanted to deliver the self-esteem-building articles on everything from natural hair, to beauty, self-image and self-esteem in Haiti’s official tongue—Creole. Folks thought it was going to be an obstacle. She wanted to build the project as an online community, but with internet access not always being reliable in some parts of Haiti, some were skeptical as to whether her idea would work.
Christina “Krissy” Julme, the founder of BèlNègès (third to the right) poses with other members of her community.
But Krissy went to work, regardless, putting her little heart into the project and making sure that each article she wrote would support the site’s motto: “Bote anndan kou deyò-–beauty inside out. She knew she wanted to call the project BèlNègès—the Creole word for “pretty black girl”. Her mission, she had decided, would be multifold: to help more girls believe in themselves and in their abilities and reject the mundane. BèlNègès, she decided, was going to be a resource to encourage girls to consider new models of beauty, and self-image. She thought this was especially vital for girls living in Haiti, because they are hit by problematic perceptions of beauty.
Would BèlNègès catch on? A year after the site’s 2012 official launch, Google Analytics was registering 35,000 monthly visitors to BèlNègès. Then there was the positive feedback from readers—the bèlnègès, as well as the bonego—the name Krissy says she gives to the guy readers. The movement had indeed caught on.
A group of BèlNègès in an outtake from a photoshoot in Port-au-Prince. Photo Credit: Georges Harry Rouzier.
The webpreneur indicates that she doesn’t come across too many challenges in running the site. She has a webmaster who handles the technical aspects of the site. As far as content creation, she took it upon herself to create a content schedule and stick to it. BèlNègès readers can expect three weekly articles. On Mondays, the bèlnègès—the girl readers—can look forward to to an inspirational article on inner and outer beauty. Wednesday is music day, and a song that correlates with the BèlNègès philosophy is featured on the site. On Fridays, the head-BèlNègès-in-charge publishes an article on natural hair care, fitness and wellness. Through it all, she tries to emphasize the importance of local and homemade products. And while embracing natural hair is the core of the website, Krissy wants to make it clear that it’s just one of the many rungs in the ladder of self-love.
BèlNègès is swiftly becoming more than a website. Krissy has launched BèlNègès handbags, and has held conferences attended by BèlNègès readers and fans. She has masterminded several photoshoots that emphasize the brand’s overall message of building a good self-image and loving one’s natural self.
Watch our for the interview between the site’s founder and Kreyolicious…coming soon.
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