Cassandre Brissot is the newly-crowned Miss Black America USA New York! The Brooklyn-born, Brooklyn College-graduate first heard about the pageant while working at Purdy Girl in the plush West Village. A customer who walked into the store turned out to be none other than Selena Watkins, the then-reigning Miss Black New York USA. Brissot was the store’s leading stylist and was charged with putting together outfits for Watkins’ participation at the next edition of the pageant. The two begun talking and Watkins suggested that Brissot apply for to participate the following year.

And the rest, is…well, a chronicle in beauty pageant history.

Kreyolicious: It takes a lot of courage and initiative, not to mention determination to enter a pageant. Throughout it all, who were your biggest motivators?

My biggest motivator—always—is God. This title is different from other systems because it is not solely a beauty competition at its forefront it is a system about service, built on faith.Knowing that inspired me even more to be part of this legacy of strong, beautiful, young, resilient, women who put The Lord first.

Kreyolicious: What were you like in high school?

High school was not my favorite moment in life, but it definitely helped mold me. I graduated high school in three years and took a lot of honors and advance placement classes but socially I encountered much adversity. I wasn’t the “loner” or the “geek” or any of the usual subjects of ridicule. To the contrary, I dated one of the most popular boy-athletes in school. However, in spite of or because of [that]—I was met with harassment and intimidation on a daily basis. However, I made it through safely, but I’m glad it’s over.

Kreyolicious: What are some of the things you learned while there that have really helped you as an adult?

I learned a few really important lessons in high school—the first being it’s okay to be your own person and not follow the crowd. However, the most important lesson I learned was a lesson in dealing with adversity. As cliché as this may sound, whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. High school was a trying time for me and I didn’t see how I would survive it unscathed, but I’m stronger for it.

Kreyolicious: A writer—Helen Keller—was once asked if she could just have one of the five senses and only one for the rest of her life, which would she choose. She chose hearing. How about you?

Ughhh. I really hate this question, but I would chose sight. Every sunrise brings the hope of a new day and I would need that to make it through.

Kreyolicious: What does beauty mean to you personally?

Today’s society has jaded our view of beauty, it took a certain spiritual maturity that came with internal struggle to understand beauty. To say we don’t care about outward appearance would be false however it’s about being comfortable with the way you look the way you are. I strongly believe you won’t be able to do so until you learn to love who you are. When you love yourself, you walk with confidence and beauty can’t help but to be used to describe you.

Kreyolicious: Been to Haiti lately?

I actually have yet to travel to Haiti. My mom has only been back twice since immigrating to The United States and my siblings and I were not able to accompany her. I do plan on visiting soon though.

Kreyolicious: How do you stay in shape?

With my crazy schedule, my workout routine—which used to consist of 2.5 hrs a day 5 days a week in the gym doing cardio and strength-training—has severely suffered. I’ve just recommitted to staying healthy and have found a gym near me offering cross fit. I’m super-excited about being a beast in the gym again.

Kreyolicious: What’s the next avenue you’re planning to cross?

As of right now I’m not sure what’s next but I do have big dreams and I’m just as excited as you to see what’s next for me. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

[All photos provided by subject; Miss Black America USA New York pageant event pics: Marcus Bennett]

Anybody here workout? I occasionally do! But, not really. I’d rather dance. So, how about a dance workout…set to some Haitian music. The perfect excuse to put together yet another Kreyolicious Playlist! Haitian fitness music.
But let’s face it. Most Haitian music (at least most of what I’ve heard) is made and intended for slow-dancing. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any fast-paced ones…or at least some mid-tempo ones that can make your workout a tit tad bit more enjoyable.

Think of all the benefits…you will have decreased your chances for heart disease, all the while enjoying (and hopefully purchasing some Haitian music)! Tee hee. Let’s get started, ya’ll.

1. Artist/Band: Enposib
Song: Bo’m Sou de Bo
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: This is for the person who wants to get into the habit of exercising, but feels overwhelmed by the very idea. All that rhyming can get you off the couch, and on the road to motivation.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

2. Artist/Band: Lakol
Song: Ole, Ole
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: Get yourself a bright-colored hoola-hoop from the dollar store for this one. After you’ve hoola-hooped to your little heart’s desire, get going with some V-steps. You can get the muscles in your waist jamming with this one. Heyyyyyyyy.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

3. Artist/Band: Nu-Look featuring P-Jay
Kreyolicious Song: Busted
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: Ooh, the chorus of this song will really get you out of your pjays (pun very much intended) and get you really going! Burpes and pull-ups!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

4. Artist/Band: Nickenson Prudhomme, featuring Zerbie
Song: Touche Ke Mwen
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: This is when you feel like giving up. This smooth jam will give you the chance to catch your breath…then afterwards…Get on your little mat, and get those little feet up in the air. Kick, kick, kick.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

5. Artist/Band: Harmonik
Song: Ou Pa Ka Hang
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: After catching your breath for a bit, you can get into the groove of things again with this track. It’s bouncy in some parts, so it’s ideal for planking.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

6. Artist/Band: KZino ft. Bricks
Song: Tout Gol
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: You can do some arm roll-ups, or just some light stairs up-walking with this one. Goal!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

7. Artist/Band: Lakol
Song: Dife
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: This band again? Yup. Hey, if the song fits the countdown. What can you do with this song? Well, what can’t you not do with this song? Jog all across the yard and the front porch, and back again. Then it’s back into the living room again to some jumping lunges in there. Get sweaty. Dife!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

8. Artist/Band: JPerry, featuring Admiral T.
Song: Bouje
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: At this point, you’re really motivated. Don’t stop now. Bouje that body. Rattle them bones!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

9. Artist/Band: Djakout
Song: Lod Nan Dezod
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: You can do some front squats for this one. And if you should get a little exhausted, you can switch modes and some push-ups and sit-ups.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

10. . Artist/Band: Zenglen
Song: Rezilta
Kreyolicious Workout Suggestion: As you consistently work out, you’re going to start seeing some changes in that body, and this song is the perfect song to celebrate to. Twirl, girl, twirl. You’ve got rezilta, chile.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS SONG AND OTHER MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST/BAND!

There you have it folks. Another glorious playlist from your fave chick Kreyolicious. Do you have a favorite workout song…in Creole? Let me know in the comments.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER PLAYLISTS!

Hermanie Pierre is not the type of former beauty queen to sit there and be complacent. The one-time Miss Haiti International penned a self-help business book shortly after her reign ended. And she isn’t stopping there. SXE Fitness and SXE Hair are her entries into the fitness and beauty business realms Follow along as we talk about these ventures.

K. St. Fort: You’re a beauty queen, an engineer, an author, motivational speaker and now entrepreneur. What made you undertake SXE Fitness?

I love being in the gym. The hardest thing about going to the gym is when you can’t find anything to wear. Being at the gym means you want to feel great, look sexy, and be fabulous. If you are trying to feel like that, you must have the gear to help you mentally. The problem I had [was this:] I could not find great workout gym wear that was sexy and comfortable. Once I wore my SXE Fitness clothes I noticed I stayed at the gym longer and felt so sexy that no one in the gym looked better than me. [Laughter] The outfit gave me a boost of confidence.

K. St. Fort: I noticed that the line’s pieces are very stylish. I’m sure that’s not just a coincidence. Do you think that having great workout gear can motivate someone to be more active fitness-wise?

OMG I saw people at the gym wearing baggy clothes! If you watched them closely, they were not as motivated. SXE Fitness clothes are made with 100% supplex material. Supplex material is lightweight, flexible and dry fit. It won’t wrinkle, shrink or fade. Excellent quality. The most amazing thing about our entire line is that it’s available in “One size fits Most” fitting sizes from 0 to 10. It doesn’t matter if you are size 0 or 10. These clothes will fit–and it also give you a butt lift…no surgery, a natural lift.

Most people don’t know that 80% of working out is what you eat and feel. If you feel sexy the chance is you will eat less junk food because you don’t want to mess up that body. Well SXE Fitness helps you mentally with that. Every time you wear your clothes and you feel so sexy, chances are you will not mess up that body. Ten percent is cardio. Ten percent is actual gym work. Well those 20% combination again wearing gym wear like SXE Fitness brand. It will help you mentally stay in the gym longer and motivate you to keep going and reach your fitness goals.

K. St. Fort: Do you have a workout regimen?

My regimen is very predictable and simple. I go to the gym between 3 to 5 times a week. The main reason I go to the gym is to tone and not lose weight. I also have a partner at the gym. Some days we do legs and arms. Forty-eight hours later, we come back together and do the same workout. One day is dedicated to abs and another to cardio.

K. St. Fort: What goes into running your clothing line?

Wow! running SXE Fitness clothing is an around the clock job. Why? Because I am always thinking of what is next, what girls/women will love, what will help them. I also have an amazing team behind me helping me. Our goal is to make sure women feel sexy and confident. What’s best about SXE Fitness we make sure other people have jobs from sewing to packing. While we are branding our line, we are also creating job and give back to the community.

K. St. Fort: Girl, what’s next for you?

The Sky’s the Limit! God blessed me tremendously and I am very grateful for that. I am working on the men’s gym wear line, as well as a plus size line. I keep getting the same questions what about men? What about plus size? Just like I told them. Rome was not built in one day. [Laughter] But I am very happy with the turn out, the feedback and testimonials. I have a lot of happy celebrity clients. My focus now is on the men’s and plus-size lines. Also, a month ago I announced my hair line SXE Hair. I carry all types : Peruvian, Malaysian, Brazilian and Cambodian-straight, body waves, curly, kinky…you name it!

All are grade 8A-the best hair quality you can find. I believe everyone should look gorgeous in however they define their beauty. My goal is to make sure they have what they need. I also provide beauty on the budget-a-lay-away program where you can buy whatever you want hair or gym wear with a $50 deposit and pick up your items when you pay your final payment. Your items are guaranteed to be available.

All photos courtesy of subject.

Would you like to get yourself some SXE Fitness Gear? Of course you would!To all Kreyolicious readers please use code “LPH10” for extra discount and free priority shipping.

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