In conjunction with Haitian Heritage Month, the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA) will display “PÒTOPRENS: The Urban Artists of Port-au-Prince” which brings together the work of over 20 artists working in the Haitian capital. The exhibition, on view April 23 to August 11, 2019, highlights Port-au-Prince’s many diverse centers of cultural production, informal street life, religious heritage and mythologies to create a compelling portrait of a historically significant and intensely complex city in flux.

Co-curated by Haitian-American artist and curator Edouard Duval-Carrié and British artist and curator Leah Gordon, and organized by Pioneer Works Founding Artistic Director Gabriel Florenz with special advisor Jean-Daniel Lafontant. PÒTOPRENS is a large-scale exhibition of sculptures, photographs, and films, accompanied by a recreated Port-au-Prince barbershop as well as extensive public programming. The entire exhibition is depicted in the native Haitian tongue Creole.

Port-au-Prince is a polyphonic city declaring its cultural history via multiple voices. Representing one of the most vibrant and creative cities in the Caribbean, PÒTOPRENS is not simply a survey show, nor is it a comprehensive snapshot of contemporary Haitian art. It is an exhibition that uses the city of Port-au-Prince as a lens through which to view the chaotic intersections of history, music, politics, religion, magic, architecture, art, and literature— to enable the viewer to reflect upon the past and speculate about the future of this vital city and its country.

The exhibition presents a diverse group of sculptures including sequined Vodou flags, stone and wood carvings, and found object assemblages, most of which have never before been seen in the United States. The sculptural installation mirrors the organization of the city itself by highlighting specific districts in Port-au-Prince where art is produced—each with its own particular subjects, forms, and materials. The neighborhood of Bel Air, situated on a hill that rises behind the remains of the Catholic Cathedral in downtown Port-au- Prince, has a rich concentration of Vodou flag artists and sequin sculptors—a tradition alleged to have originated from the royal flags and banners of Benin.

Read more on www.mocanomi.org

The agenda topics for the Haitian-American Millennials Summit reflect issues affecting the general millennial demographic including wealth generation, civic engagement, and discussions revolving around the contributions that Haitians provide to American society. This is a major forum that will have panel discussions led by leading local academics, politicians, culture endorsers, and others, on how and why Haitian-Americans are having significant influence in the United States and Haiti. Partners include Commissioner Jean Monestime, Miami-Dade County Commission, District #2 and Miami Dade College, North Campus. The summit is scheduled from 9am-4pm.

Admission for the summit is free. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration and more info can be found at AvanseAnsanm.org/summit.

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About Avanse Ansanm
Avanse Ansanm is a movement to engage South Florida Haitian- American millennials in creating a shared agenda for the advancement of the Haitian community & increasing Haitian-American millennials volunteerism, commitment, connectivity, and investment in the Haitian Community in South Florida & in Haiti. Avanse Ansanm’s mission is to engage & connect Haitian-American Millennials, understand and harness collective economic & political power, preserve Haitian culture in Haitian- American Millennials, and cultivate a strong community bounded by a shared strategy to Advance All Things Haitian.

For more information, please contact Santra Denis at Santra@AvanseAnsanm.org

When frustration is released the proper way, and dealt with in a constructive manner, it can actually lead to great things! Fashionista Genevieve Angelique noticed that there wasn’t a platform for people of color in the Boston area to stay abridge of events and discuss events that affected him, so she created Lagos Days, Paris Nights, a blog. The blog gave way to Boston Come Through, a popular podcast she hosts with her creative-partner-in-crime Crystal Chandler.

We’ve already had a discussion about what goes on behind the scenes of the blog. So, let’s touch upon her heritage as a Haitian-American and her vision for herself as a blogger and podcast entrepreneur!

Kreyolicious: To start, let’s talk about your experience growing as a Haitian-American. We tend to have some things in common, not all.
Growing up Haitian-American was the most interesting experience because I navigated the world with two identities. I was a Haitian who was too American, but an American who was too Haitian. I also came up during a time when you were persecuted for being Haitian. So in school, I was often bullied because of my heritage. But I would never give up being Haitian for anything! We are the most resilient, hardest working and definitely the most resourceful people walking this earth!

Kreyolicious: You ever been to Haiti?
Genevieve Angelique: Sadly, no! But the plan is to go this year for my birthday! It’s my Jesus year (I’m turning 33), and I’m going home for the first time.

Kreyolicious: What advice would you give to a blogger who’s one year into the game but hasn’t seen any tangible results?
Genevieve Angelique: I would first have to inquire about what do they define as results. People ask me all the time about being a blogger, and I always ask, “What’s the motive?” Yes, it looks fun. Yes, it can make you money and yes, the attention is nice – but believe me, this is hard work! It’s not just about taking nice photos – but what kind of blogger are you (fashion, lifestyle, travel, etc)? Who is your target market? Do you write well? Have you educated yourself about social media algorithms, and most importantly, are you planning on being consistent? I would start there, and try to figure out what’s not working.

Kreyolicious: Where do you envision your brand heading?
Genevieve Angelique: I see Boston Come Through becoming the hub of Black Boston and perhaps beyond. I look to brands like I Don’t Do Clubs as a blueprint to extending to other cities and throwing events as well. Considering Boston Come Through is also a radio/podcast there’s also opportunities for revenue through advertising and sponsorships, so Crystal and I are steadily building our platform in anticipation of that. Honestly, the sky’s the limit and I’m open to what God ordains for me!

This concludes PART II of the interview with Genevieve Angelique.

Don’t forget to…

CLICK HERE to listen to episodes of BOSTON COME THROUGH.

CLICK HERE to visit the Boston Come Through website.

CLICK HERE to read about other Haitian-American content producers.