Zoe Poze is what his fans on social media know him as. But before he was sending them into loud guffaws, he was known as simply Clarck among friends and family. But yeah, back to the Zoe Poze of the present.

At Twenty-Two years old, he rules as one of the most popular Haitian-American comedians on social media. He was one of the featured comedians at the Haitian Pride Festival in Lauderhill, Florida recently along with colleagues like Plus Daddy, Haitian Husbands, and Success. The week before that, he was a part of comedy tour that brought him to New York and New Jersey. His success isn’t just on social media, thank you very much. And it isn’t necessarily just in the comedy sector either. Movie directors call on him to MC their movie premieres, and cultural organizations bring him in as host to pull in Haitian-American collegiates to their events.

Nothing is built overnight—not even Noah’s Ark. So, how did Zoe Poze become Zoe Poze?

Kreyolicious: Tell us more about how you became Zoe Poze.
I came up with the name Zoe Poze since 2007-2008 when I was in the seventh grade. Before that name, I went through so many different types of names such as…THB 93(True Haitian Boy), Haitian Papi, ZoeLife, Real Zoe, Haitian Sensation etc. But I came up with the name Zoe Poze because when I was in eighth grade it was a renaissance here for me, and [I didn’t] want to fight anymore [and] getting trouble with any of my peers or administrators. Everyone already knew me as Zoe—which to me means Haitian American. So, I told everyone that in the school year I’m going to be poze—chilling—and that’s how I got my name.

Kreyolicious: Were you the quiet type who eventually came into his own, or were you like the class jester?
I was a little bit of both really. Before middle school, I was always the quiet and shy one but when it was my time to shine I was quite verbose! Once I stepped into the middle and high school scene. It was over with, there was no more quiet side of me unless I was mad.

Kreyolicious: Now, if you weren’t a Zoe Poze, who would you be?
I would be someone with a normal life, a more frequent writer, working my into being a police officer in a local city near me. Basically the average person.

Kreyolicious: What do your parents think of you being in comedy?
They totally love it! Believe it or not one of my dad’s hobbies was humor storytelling and creating blagues. They always help me juices up my ideas which contain vital details on Haitian mannerisms and those are very important. They really think this can go far, and I agree.

Kreyolicious: How do you plan out your videos?
I just start shooting when a concept comes to mind. Simple as apple pie. Although, after a while I starting writing down all my ideas because there are some I save and there are those I tackle immediately but this past year I’ve just been jotting down ideas and not shoot as much because I believe I have created content that can be used to create a storyline, a movie.

Kreyolicious: You feature your videos on platforms that sometimes have time constraints. How does that affect your creative process?
Having constraints doesn’t really affect my creativity. Rather, it presents an alternate way to be creative. For example, Vine only allowed six seconds in the beginning, and it helped me get straight to the point and still be able to add my creativity. It adds a whole dynamic, if you will, to short skits.

Kreyolicious: Do you think that the comedians of today have it harder than those…say from last century?
I myself am not entirely a comedian, but since I dabble so much in comedy I might as well have that as one of my titles. Comedy is a hard line of work no matter the century because each century has to comprehend and cater to the lifestyle and trends around them. To answer your question, I think comedians from before our century have it harder because of how easy it is for today’s comedians to showcase themselves through social media and etc. I want to add that I don’t classify my work as a specific genre. Everything I create is art.

Kreyolicious: What would you say to someone who’d like to be a comedian?
Do plenty of writing, be creative and think as if there is no box!

Kreyolicious: What’s next for you? Will you be branching out in other platforms?
Yes. I definitely will! Acting is one of my passion but comedy came into my life as well so I will be heading out to Los Angeles, California for ten days to see what’s in store for me. Hopefull,y I meet someone who is willing to give Haitian comedy a chance on the big screen. Not Just for me—but for everyone with me and after me. My vision isn’t just business. It’s also a legacy.

CLICK HERE to keep up with Zoe Poze on Instagram.

As a teenager wanting to pursue professional modeling (and having done more than a half a dozen
photo shoots), Vanessa Nina went to a casting for a reality show, and disappointment set in. She was not among those selected. But the almond-eyed petite teen did not get discouraged. She need not be. Almost immediately, she was booked as a video model for a music video for rapper Lil Wayne called “Always Strapped”. From then on, it started to rain music video assignments on little Miss Vanessa Nina’s head, which was music to the ears of the aspiring nurse. And the assignments kept coming: Wale, Young Jeezy, Sean Garrett, JLS, Birdman, Jencarlos Canela. Even when playing aside other video models, Vanessa Nina is distinct, with her sensual, V-shaped upper lip, shapely body, and dreamy stare.

Vanessa Nina set a lot of men’s hearts into titter-patter when she appeared in the steamy video for the Haitian konpa band CaRiMi, playing the oh, faithful wife of a cruel husband whose running around her with a Jezebel for the band’s song “Mwen Dezole”.

The model recently graduated from nursing school, but she’s still a model with a business woman’s brain, thank you very much. “One of the goals I set for myself when I started modeling,” she affirms, “was to book a major print advertisement, and a commercial. I’m happy to say this year I booked a major commercial, for HTC cell phone company. I hope this year I can land that major print advertisement as well.”

One of the things that set Vanessa Nina apart from other video models, is that she treats video modeling as just that, a job that ends the minute she’s punched out. No late nighters with rappers and artists who need a little companionship for the night. Oh, and she keeps her personal life and off-music video set life to herself, giving short and cagey responses to just about every question she’s asked. Maybe it has to do with the upbringing of the New York-born, South Florida-dwelling resident, which she emphasizes was as Haitian as can be. “A lot of reading,” she remembers, describing her childhood. “Barely any playing outside with my friends. My parents were super strict.”

Her parent’s method has worked. Look at the end results of what they produced.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
VANESSA NINA…UP CLOSE

Tell us something about Ms. Vanessa Nina that we haven’t heard before.
Aside from modeling, I’m really creative. I love graphic and web designing.

Do you have any counsel for other young women who are aspiring to do the same?
Stay true to yourself!

Do you think dark-skinned girls have it bad in the modeling industry?
No. Beauty is beauty, whether your white, black, brown, or yellow.

Have you ever had a stalker?
Thankfully, no.

When you’re not modeling or going to school, what can you be seen doing?
When I’m not modeling, or studying, I focus my energy on designing. I actually have a project I’m working on that I’ll be releasing soon!

What artist is your dream music video subject?
My dream music video project would be any R&B artist. They portray women in a respectful way.

What’s the best thing about being Haitian?
The food! The culture, and the face people make when I tell them that I’m Haitian. It’s priceless.

Can an ugly girl be made to be beautiful?
Depends on if she’s ugly on the outside or inside. You can alter the exterior, but the interior forever remains the same.

What makes a fabulous outfit?
A outfit that compliments a woman’s body, and of course fabulous shoes!

What was the last thing that made you shed some serious tears?
When I graduated from nursing school.

The man you will marry is somewhere out there. Give him instructions.
Be prepared to be with someone who is ambitious, loving and intelligent. That’s not so hard!

Patrick Charles is not your average drummer, if there is one. The Haiti-born, New Jersey-raised, Los Angeles-residing drummer has worked with every major musician on the jazz music scene: from diva Anita Baker to jazz great Everette Harper, among others.

As Charles played with major players in the music scene, he recognized the need to do a project that was close to his heart, and lateral to his soul and roots. He put together Cité Soleil, a musical project inspired by his love for Haiti and his early years there.

Charles is eclectic to say the least. Says guitarist and composer Gaku Murata, who performs with Charles: “He doesn’t discriminate music by genre or who plays.” It turns out that everything from Korean pop music to 80’s disco music is pleasing to the drummer’s eardrum. “I could not believe that he wanted to play a Korean Pop song—Chinese version—along with his original jazz fusion songs for his next gig,” continues Murata. “What distinguishes him from other musicians is his honest passion for creating good music. He only cares about creating good music. He doesn’t care about how he creates or who he creates with.”

Murata, who frequently works with Charles says he’s noted the musician’s penchant to be inspirational even in a work relationship. “When I work with him for his gigs,” observes Murata, “he always encourages me to be creative, spontaneous, to feel free to push myself. I remember that he told me that making a mistake is okay because sometime you have to take a risk in order to push yourself to the next level.”

Now, it is time to talk to the man himself!

Q&A

So you started playing gigs in high school. What did your parents think about that?
Actually, my mother was cool with it, but my father was not, ’cause you know, all Haitian parents want their kids to be doctors, so when I told my dad that I wanted to be a drummer, he was furious, ’til this day he’s not exactly thrilled about it. So through out high school, I’ve played in many different bands—playing all kinds of music in the New Jersey and NYC Area.

Recreational drugs and substances are said to be quite popular in the music business. What is your point of view on them?
Well, that was one of my parents concerned. Yes, drugs are a big part of the music business, but not every musician uses drugs. I’ve been around plenty of cats that use drugs, but I’ve also worked with even more that don’t use drugs. Drugs were never a thing for me. I’m just not interested in drugs. It’s that simple. I don’t even smoke!

Is inspiration hard to find when it comes to your music?
No, it’s not. Inspiration for my music comes from my everyday observing of life. Life is my inspiration.

Between Charlie Bird, Thelonious Monk, Branford Marsalis, Miles Davis—which great has had the most influence on your work?
Well, who doesn’t love Bird and Monk and Branford? They are legends and pioneers, but I’m a huge student of Mr. Miles Davis. I love Miles; all I do is constantly study his music, and his concepts and his approach. Miles has the most influence over my music.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?
I was in Haiti in 1990. Yeah, it’s been a while.

Did you get the chance to check out the music scene there?
Actually, I didn’t get a chance to check out the scene, but my family in Haiti always [sends] me records/CDs of what’s hot. I did notice that hip-hop was making its way to the island though.

And your impression of this…?
Cool.

Being a musician has its ups and downs. What has been the highlight of your life as a musician?
The highlight so far has been graduating from Berklee College of Music and recording my own music and having some of my favorite artists play on my recordings and performing at the prestigious Yokohama Jazz festival with my group. And to be blessed to still be playing and studying and learning after 22 years.

Now, tell us all there is to know about your Cité Soleil musical project.
Okay. When I was attending Berklee, I began to mess around with composing, so by the time I finished school, I had a few tunes laying around, so I decided to do a record, and “Cité Soleil” was the only tune on the record that had a name before it was even written—that’s because of what I saw happening in Haiti at that time with [Jean-Bertrand] Aristide and the violence that was centered in Cité Soleil.

And as a kid, I remember going shopping in Cité Soleil with my mom. It was a beautiful little city by the sea, and to see how it has deteriorated with political violence and misery was hurtful, so I wanted to write something to dedicate to Cité Soleil and Haiti. And one day, I sat at the piano and the universe gave me Cité Soleil. “Cité Soleil” was the last tune to be written for the record.

When I began to record in 2006, I wanted to have some of the baddest artists that I knew from L.A. to record with me—artists like Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Kevin Toney and saxophone great Everette Harp and trumpeter and composer Johnny Britt and keyboardist Wayne Linsey—who by the way have played with Miles. The record took me a year to record, mix and master. The mix was done by my good friend Conley Abrams. Conley has worked for Dr. Dre at Death Row records, and the mastering was done at Columbia Mastering Studio by mastering legend Ron McMaster who also worked with Miles. Cite Soleil was released on my own label the summer of 2007.

You were born in Haiti, you grew up in Jersey, and you now live in Los Angeles. How has each of these residences affected you as a person, and more importantly your art?
Well, being born in Haiti shaped who I am as a man. I have a high and strong moral standing in life, because I know what it truly feels like to have absolutely nothing and to come from nothing. So as I grew up in Jersey, I took absolutely nothing for granted. I made the best out of any opportunity that came my way, ’cause I know I was just lucky to be able to grow up in the States. And as for my music, part of Haiti is always going to be in my work.

I’m Haitian; it’s in my DNA, but growing up in Jersey I was exposed to a new world of music. I was quickly exposed to all style of music through MTV—this was way back when MTV just started and they actually played music videos. And when I started to play drums. I used to go to all the jam sessions in the neighborhood clubs, and even went to jam sessions in NYC. I think all those things affected my music; I don’t think L.A. influenced my music at all.

What are your plans, post-Cité Soleil disc release?
I wrote some new music already that I’m very excited about, and also this time around, I will be doing more writing collaborations with different artist friends of mine. I plan to start recording next year, and hopefully have a release that same year, ’cause it’s about time.

When most people meet Francie Latour, they’re probably surprised to learn that she only has two hands. After all, she is a journalist, a writer, a blogger, a mom and a wife who is raising three biracial children in New England. Latour has also worked as an editor for various colleges and universities. Her writing career has included bylines in magazines like Essence, Ebony, The Washington Post’s The Root, and to newspapers like the Boston Globe, where she’s written about everything from race, to ethnicity, multicultural identity, parenting and education. She’s recently added diversity programming in higher education to her list of activities. It’s certainly different from everything else on her resume, but it is something she absolutely loves.

Are you curious already about what she might have to say about Haitian-American identity, Haiti, and other assorted matters? Indulge your curiosity a bit and read her thoughts.

Q & A

What was it like growing up in a Haitian-American household?
For me, growing up in a Haitian-American household meant having a very early awareness of hyphens, and early experiences navigating hyphenated identity. “Francie” is actually a nickname. My given name is Marie-France — a name that expressed my parents’ love for French culture, but also deeply personal hopes (“Marie” comes from my mother, Marie-Gilberte, “France” comes my father, Frantz). From early on, I felt that hyphen as both a bridge and a tightrope between very different cultures and very different parents. As a kid everyone called me Chou-Chou, which seemed like the best thing in the world –until I got to school in suburban Philadelphia, and then it was the worst thing in the world. As a child, there is often nothing more powerful than the feeling of wanting to belong. In the 7th grade, when I changed schools, I changed my name to Francie (and asked my family to please never call me Chou-Chou in public!). It took me a while to come back to embracing the Haitian half of my Haitian-American identity. Now, when I take my kids to their favorite Haitian restaurant and watch them wolf down the food, I take a huge breath and smile. But I also wonder how much more they might identify as Haitian themselves if I hadn’t spent so much time trying to be as American as possible for so long. Politics was a big thing growing up in my house. I can remember friends of my parents coming over late at night, settling into the couches in our basement with some acra and a glass of wine, and shouting at the top of their lungs about Duvalier and Manigat and Namphy. Really, really loud. It was amazing. Even when I was too young to understand who or what they were talking about, I could sense their raw passion and the incredibly high stakes involved, because politics and basic human rights were always completely intertwined. The other big thing in my house was excellence. “If you’re going to be a street sweeper, be the absolute best street sweeper. That’s all I care about,” my mother used to say. It was expected that we would study hard and do really well in school. A love of learning and a desire to achieve are the biggest gifts my parents have given me in life.

Writing is definitely your first love. How did this love for writing and journalism develop?
I used to go to my father’s office and write on his manual typewriter. The keys were incredibly shiny and rounded, and I loved the sound and the feel of pushing the carriage-return lever. But I didn’t think seriously about writing as a career until college, when I got a “D” in calculus and realized I would never become a doctor. I think, too, I was aware of the impact of journalism in both the American and Haitian contexts. Even though I was not born in Haiti and didn’t grow up there, the awareness that people have died for the things they have written colors how I feel about what I do, and has helped me not to lose focus in the choices I’ve made in my career as an American journalist.

With technology, it would seem that everyone, and anyone can be a journalist.
Yes, that’s true. I think that’s both a good and bad thing. There’s a lot that the American media doesn’t get, doesn’t get right or completely ignores. I think those flaws are more obvious now, because there is so much more access for people who are not in the media to have their voices heard and even be extremely influential. At the same time, there’s a way that viral-driven media shapes conversations or walls out other conversations that I find troubling. A couple of bloggers start commenting on Olympic champion Gabrielle Douglass’s hair, and then another blogger who’s more established than blogs about what they said, and then someone from the Huffington Post gets it on their radar, and before you know it the issue of Gabby Douglass’s hair has become a thing. Was it ever a real cultural phenomenon? Was it manufactured? How can we know what’s really important or what’s really relevant?

You seem the type of person who might have a book in her.
I’ve been told this, although being the type of person to write a book and being an actual person who writes an actual book are very different things! I’m not terribly disciplined. And I fear failure. The fear of attempting to write a book and never finishing it or never having it be published or it not being excellent trumps the desire to attempt it.

The Boston Globe actually had you on staff at one point. What was the experience like, working for one of the biggest dailies in the world, and one of the most prestigious newspapers in the USA?
Working at the Globe shaped me in very formative ways. I learned more about things that mattered in the world, things that matter in a workplace, and things that matter to me than in any other job I ever had and probably will ever have. Newsrooms are exciting places to be. Because the environment is consuming and intense, the relationships are also. Many of my closest friends and mentors are people I met through the Globe.

What if you were in a room with aspiring writers? What advice would give to them?
Read read read read. The best way to become a better writer is to read, and to study the architecture of every good piece of writing you come across.

You are raising bicultural children? What have you learned so far in multicultural parenting?
My kids are still very young—7, 4, and 3—so their understanding of skin color, difference, culture and race is still limited. But I’m struck by how powerful messages about all of those things can take hold, even in kids so young. Like a lot of biracial siblings, my kids all have different complexions on the light-dark spectrum. I was in the car with my two oldest one morning when my daughter, who was 3 then, was trying to tease her older brother. Out of the blue she said, “And I’m lighter than you!” And my son, who was 6, said, “No you’re not! You’re medium and I’m medium!”. I could barely maintain my lane on the road. At 3, my daughter had already been exposed to and apparently digested the societal message that lighter is somehow better. It was an early taste of many things I’m sure are coming down the pike in figuring out how to help them understand themselves and embrace all of who they are.

We live in a very small rural town, where most of my husband’s large Irish-American family is from. There is one stoplight in our town, and almost no people of color. When I’m with the kids, I don’t actually spend much time there. I get them in the car or on the commuter rail and we go to Boston or Cambridge. At first I got a little crazy trying to plan these structured outings, wanting to create these perfect, transforming capsules of experiencing diversity. Now I don’t do that. I often don’t know exactly where we’ll end up or if anything will be going on when we get there, but I focus on being in neighborhoods or spots where I know they are going to be interacting with kids who look different, speak different languages, etc. I also take them to NYC every chance that I get to spend time with family on my mom’s side, who all live there. It sounds obvious, but one thing I try to be mindful of is that neither my husband nor I can fully know our kids’ experience. I know what it’s like to grow up in America as a black person with two black parents. My husband knows what it’s like to grow up in America as white with two white parents. Our kids are experiencing something much more blended and layered. The most important thing I can do for them is to make sure that they feel at home in the world and that they never feel divided against themselves.

How have you seen Haitian and Haitian-American identity change over the years?
That’s a really interesting question. I think the emergence of some Haitian-Americans in pop culture, like Wyclef, for example, has been a great thing just in terms of people understanding the beauty and vibrancy of Haitian culture, and how it is deeply rooted but also expansive and feeds off of other cultural influences. Politically it’s been interesting to see the rise of Haitian-Americans winning elected office in the US. So much of the political conversation and investment and gaze in the diaspora has been focused on Haiti, and still is for obvious reasons. But it’s great to see Haitian-Americans staking their claim in solving problems for their communities and claiming leadership roles in districts and communities that are largely non-Haitian. I think the earthquake has had and continues to have powerful ripple effects in connecting Haitian-Americans back to Haiti – and in doing so, strengthening peoples’ sense of their Haitian-ness and pride in that. People want to rebuild and raise money and address problems and demand accountability in government, but that’s not all they want. They also want to tell Haiti’s story as a story that is not just defined by extreme poverty or corruption. That’s an amazing thing.

Do you see Haiti playing a big part in your life, and the life of your children as well as the lives of other Haitian-Americans in the near future?
I think one of my biggest regrets is never having had a chance to live there and grow up there for a significant period of time. I would love for it to play a role in my kids’ lives and I continue to explore it in my own life. About a year ago, my mother sat down and told me a story about the family of her godmother being targeted under Duvalier. Many members in this extended family were killed, including small children. I’m 41 years old; my mother is in her 70s. I couldn’t believe I had never heard this story before, and it made me want to stop everything and spend a week doing an oral history with her. There are a lot of things I want to know and need to ask if I want my life and my kids’ lives to have that connection.

A couple of the members of the HEY team strikes a pose. Sainvil is second from the right.

Growing up in Philadelphia, Herman Dolce, Angelo Antoine, Marc Antoine, Gary Joanis, and Philippe Sainvil were more than good friends. They were all tied at the umbilical cord, culturally speaking, as their Haitian background was definitely a factor in bringing them together. Their relatives knew each other from the tight-knit Haitian community in Philly. Dolce and Antoine attended the same church—the Haitian Evangelical Baptist Church. Joanis’ grandmother often babysat Antoine, when he was a toddler.

In their teens, most of the little clique attended Martin Luther King High School. As they changed churches, as some of them moved, they remained friends, most of them reconnecting as students at Temple University or through the organization Coalition of Young Christians of Pennsylvania (of which several of them are still members). Their lives had gotten them to different directions, education-wise. Joanis had attended and earned a Bachelors in Science from Penn State University. Dolce had received a Bachelors from Temple University and a Masters from Lincoln University. Angelo Antoine had graduated Penn State University and was pursuing his Masters at Holy Family University. Sainvil opted to make gaining work experience as his priority, piling up plenty of experience as a banker and manager, while working towards his Associate’s degree in Business. Marc Antoine chose the communications sector, earning a Bachelors in Public Relations from Immaculata University. Before long, it was apparent that they all had developed another thing in common: an ardent passion for Haiti and a huge desire to promote a shift in this generation. It occurred to them that they could put the weight of all their education towards the good of Haiti. They put their minds together, and eventually got Haiti Engaging Youth, a non-profit organization, on its feet.

Gary Joanis was elected Vice President of Haiti Engaging Youth. Angelo Antoine was selected as Fundraising Chair, and Marc Antoine as the Ministerial Coordinator. Along the way they met Christelle Chery, a student at Penn State and Bianca Roseau, a hyperactive member of the Haitian Student Organization at Temple University. Chery currently serves as the Social Media Coordinator for Haiti Engaging Youth, while Roseau is the Fundraising Chairperson, most recently having overseen a successful fundraising fashion show. Gaelle Baptiste is the organization’s Youth Alliance Coordinator. She, Antoine, Sainvil, used to engage in cheerful chatter at basketball games, and probably didn’t fathom that they would come together for a more serious cause. To top things off, the group selected Gaelle Baptiste as College Coordinator and Dominique Goss, also a Temple University graduate, and the only non-Haitian among Haiti Engaging Youth, to serve as CFO.

As president of Haiti Engaging Youth—or Hey as it’s commonly called—Sainvil goes back and forth between his home in Pennsylvania and Haiti. His mission on each trip: to establish a continuous rapport with youths in Haiti and connecting them with other young people of Haitian background in the United States. But that is only part of the HEY mission. The organization actually has a three-sided objective. For one, to equip youths in Haiti with trade skills. For another, to distribute food (empty stomachs can’t make brains think, after all). It also has a medicine leg that makes sure that the region it serves is adequately supplied with medicine.

The team members of the non-profit organization work diligently to get new partners. They held a cultural day earlier this year, during which they educated attendees all over Philadelphia about the history of Haiti, and held a special presentation and featured a live painting done by Philadelphia-based visual artist Ivben Taqiy. The HEY team has worked with Temple University’s Haitian Student Organization on doing the aforementioned fundraising fashion show, and have a mission trip planned for this year. The team behind Haiti Engaging Youth is constantly brainstorming new ways to push the organization forward.

Mr. Sainvil and Mr. Antoine discussed the HEY organization in more detail to Kreyolicious.com.

Q & A

How did Haiti Engaging Youth get started?
PHILIPPE SAINVIL: Haiti Engaging Youth was established in April 2012. After going to Haiti in March 2012 for a week-long mission trip my life changed drastically. Once I returned to Philadelphia, I got together with Marc Antoine and Gary Joanis and we began to put words into action. Our team has expanded with Angelo Antoine, Christelle Chery, Herman Dolce, Gaelle Baptiste and Bianca Roseau. With everyone’s recent experiences in Haiti and being Haitian-American it made it easier for us to relate. We established HEY because we felt what was lacking is the interaction between the youth in the US and the youth in Haiti, in particular the Haitian diaspora. HEY was created to bridge the gap and to facilitate the building of relationships between the Haitian and American youth. We believe there is hope for Haiti. We believe in Haiti Engaging Youth. Hey!

Some members of the HEY team smile for the camera, at a fundraising event for the organization.

Growing up what were your perceptions of Haiti?
MARC ANTOINE: The perception I had of Haiti growing up came from two places. I had the perception of the media which always portrayed Haiti in a negative light, as if nothing good could ever come our of Haiti. Haiti was always illustrated as a destitute country, poverty stricken, and demonic. The other perception was from my parents, who really provided the foundation for my thoughts on Haiti. They told me that Haiti was like every place in the world, they told me that there were beautiful and rich parts and there were poor and struggling parts of the country. One thing they always made sure I knew was that Haiti was special for what we overcame through our history, and even if we did not have a lot like other countries, we had our pride. The perception has not changed much over the years. I was exposed to the good and the bad of Haiti at an early age, I have always been a proud Haitian and I find what I learned as a child about Haiti being reinforced in my experiences now.

SAINVIL: As a child growing up in the States the perception that was shown to be was that of Haiti being a poor country and the conditions even poorer. I was born in Haiti and came to the United States when I was three. I visited in the summer 2000 for the first time. I loved my time there. What was being shown and what I would hear did not match up with what I discovered once I actually set foot in Haiti. In March 2012, I went on a mission trip which was a life changing experience for me. That is when I realized Haiti is where I want to be and what I can do to help change the conditions.

One of your key strategies is to educate young Haitians with basic trade school skills in carpentry and masonry and electrical mechanics. Have the communities you’ve worked with in Haiti, been responsive to this approach?
SAINVIL: Currently we’ve been working in Pignon, Haiti which is located in the North Side close to Cap Haitian. We want to be as efficient as possible and not spread ourselves too wide or too thick so were initiating change one community at a time. The people of Pignon have been very responsive and energetic about our efforts to educate our fellow Haitians. We believe that targeting the youth population will allow future generations to benefit from the knowledge and skills that are obtained.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from Hey?
SAINVIL: That Haiti is a strong country. With my interest for Haiti being at an ultimate high I realized that the saying, “Haitians are the strongest of people” is true to its testament. The perception has got even stronger. Just to sit down and have conversations with my fellow Haitians in Haiti and realize everything they have been through—and they are still standing strong—blows me away. I hope many others are able to experience what I have.

ANTOINE: The biggest thing I have learned since working with HEY is that there are a lot of young Haitians who are willing, eager, and radical enough to try and change Haiti. I always knew that there were proud Haitians, but from our travels I have been blessed to experience the fire that lies within the hearts of our Haitian youth. I really believe that the future of Haiti is dependent on our youth, and from what I have seen thus far, our youth are capable.

Do you partner with institutions to execute the educational part of your program?
SAINVIL: We do partner with institutions to assist us in executing our education initiative. We are also in talks with Constitution High School in Philadelphia to put together a community service initiative in place geared solely on assisting HEY. With our partnership with Constitution High we are planning to start a pen pal program where the students at CHS will be partnered with a student at a partner school in Haiti. Through this program students will be educated on the cultural differences between them and form a bond that can last a lifetime. The students at CHS are very ecstatic about working with HEY in many other aspects as well. Let’s get engaged!

You partner with pharmaceutical companies. I’m sure they have the best interests of the kids in mind. How do you make sure that these communities don’t become guinea pigs for new medications, or for medications that are banned in the U.S. and other countries?
SAINVIL: As fellow Haitian-Americans we made it our mission to never allow HEY to be an organization that exploits Haiti for reward or recognition. Any medicine we take over to Haiti will be in compliance with the Food and Drug Administration. We realize there are a significant number of people in Haiti who suffer from diverse conditions whether it be, high blood pressure, diabetes or malnutrition. Our initiative to assist in the medical area will be a program that is established in the future and will be in properly structured. We are currently focused on executing our Education focus efficiently one community at a time.

HEY member Marc Antoine speaks to a crowd of youths in Haiti.

In terms of how your different programs have been carried out and received…what has given you the most satisfaction in terms of results?
SAINVIL: In terms of results, our education initiative has given us the most satisfaction. To have the opportunity to educate the youth here in the states and in Haiti has been wonderful. The excitement and the enthusiasm that is shown when we are working in Haiti and in the States have been very gratifying. We plan to continue to carry this momentum in positioning HEY as a monument and not a movement. We believe there is hope for Haiti. We believe in Haiti Engaging Youth. Hey! We want to take this time to thank Kreyolicious Magazine for giving us the platform to speak about Haiti Engaging Youth. We look forward to future collaborations. Follow us on twitter and Instagram @HeyHaiti and like us on Facebook as Haiti Engaging Youth.

What are your biggest needs at this time, for those in the position to donate?
Our biggest needs from donators at this present time would be any contributions to constructing our first library and tech center. Whether it be monetary, computers, books, and so on. We appreciate any type of support as we are all working for Haiti.

What are the future plans of HEY?
SAINVIL: Our future plans for HEY consist of one day establishing a school equipped with updated technology and resources. We realize that reforming the school system is a tough task but assisting in providing these resources one community at a time will allow us to grasp a great deal of knowledge on how the school system works. Our vision for youth is Haiti is that they all receive the educational resources required to obtain the maximum amount of knowledge as possible. We plan to do fundraising to construct and strategically implement libraries and tech centers throughout Haiti. Other future plans for HEY consist of establishing Community Centers in local areas that will serve as a home base for education and sports activities. We want to continue to develop relationships with churches, institutions and businesses in the United States to raise the awareness. Often times on television, we see the negative aspects of Haiti, but what is not showed are the beautiful parts of Haiti. We think that education is the key that will open many doors and create a shift in our generation today. Of course, we feel as though there is more that can be done, but we plan on working project by project to avoid spreading ourselves to unattainable distances and assuring longevity. We are here to educate not only the youth in Haiti—but the youth in the United States. We are Haiti Engaging Youth.

Myrvine Bernadotte is of that generational segment born in Boston, and raised by Haitian parents, who came to the United States in search of a better life. Dr. Bernadotte contends both her parents were born and raised in Haiti under extreme poverty. Upon their arrival in the United States, they stepped on the grounds of the land of the free, with almost nothing in their pockets. Her father arrived first, and left his wife Rosita and oldest daughter in Haiti. Dr. Joseph H. Bernadotte was more fortunate than most, however, having battled poverty on the streets of Arcahaie and earned his medical degree from Haiti’s Faculté de Medicine (Haiti’s medical school).

But as usually is the case with individuals who have medical degrees from a foreign country, Dr. Joseph H. Bernadotte could not practice medicine in the United States. So he worked several factory and odd and end jobs in the state of Massachussetts before he was able to learn enough English to pass the U.S. Medical board exams. Dr. Bernadotte’s wife arrived with a high school diploma, worked as a hotel maid and a factory assembler, and went to school and graduated as a registered nurse.

Now with such an inspirational family history, Myrvine Bernadette could not help but give her best in life. There were no excuses whatsoever. If two people past their 20s, who arrived in the United States practically penniless and not knowing any word of English could rise professionally, how much so for their seed—a daughter of the land?

From Massachussetts, the Bernadottes moved to Brooklyn, where they lived for nine years. Bernadotte’s family was so vast, that in the apartment complex where she lived, solely relatives occupied each wing. Every day, she was reminded through the Haitian customs and culture that were part of routine life that, yes, she was a Bostonian, an American for sure; but she was Haitian. “I have always strongly identified with my Haitian roots, even when it wasn’t always popular to do so in Brooklyn in the 1980’s,” she recalls.

Like most upwardly mobile-minded Haitian families in New York, the Bernadottes moved their family to Long Island, where Myrvine attended high school. She later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for college and Michigan State University for medical school. She’s since had a long career in emergency room medicine, but she has never forgotten about Haiti. Fast-forward to 2009, when she saw it fit to launch Inspire Haiti, a non-profit organization that provides medical care and medical supplies to the needy in Haiti.

Q & A

When was the first time you visited Haiti, and what were your impressions?
The first time I went to Haiti was in the late 1980’s. I was about eight years old. I was entirely put off by the country. I was appalled by the poverty, lack of clean water, adequate water pressure and electricity. It seemed all the daily necessities I took for granted in the United States were nonexistent. It was a real culture shock! Furthermore, my sister and I were devoured by mosquitoes. We both swore we would never go back. However, years later, just prior to entering medical school, I returned to Pignon, Haiti with my mother to volunteer our time and I fell in love.

Do you remember the first time you were inspired to become a doctor?
As a result of my parent’s educational background, I was always surrounded by medicine. I can recall at a young age listening, while my mother gave advice to relatives and community members. I learned to take blood pressure measurements before entering high school and quickly became the go to person in the family for this task. However, the spirit of philanthropy and uplifting humanity came from my maternal grandmother. My grandmother, Meme, lived with us until the day she died at 88 years old. She was the caretaker all of our cousins, as well as my sister and I. I can remember when she would return to Haiti for visits, she would have a small bag for herself and two extremely large suitcases full of items to give away to those less fortunate than we were. My Uncle would predictably complain, as he would be assigned to help her lift them to get to the airport. Nonetheless, she would always remind us of the importance of reaching back and lending a hand.

How did Inspire Haiti take shape?
Inspire Haiti was formed in late 2009, just prior to the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. Inspire Haiti was founded by eight individuals who met after endeavoring on an unrelated mission to Haiti in May of 2009. As a group, we were startled to find that there were several areas of need that remained collaboratively unmet by any organization.

During the next several months, we engaged in continued dialogue about the patients we’d seen and treated in Haiti, in particular, a five-month old baby girl born with congenital syphilis. She initially presented with two broken arms and several other signs of abuse and neglect inflicted by her abusive mother. We repeatedly discussed the solutions that could prevent the insensible acts imposed on this child. From those repeated discussions, the extensive background experience of all individuals involved and our love for a country in utter despair, Inspire Haiti was formed. Our objective is to improve the living conditions for the majority of Haitians: one person at a time, one community at a time.

You have a team in Haiti correct? Or do you just travel with a team from the USA?
Among our many long-term goals, Inspire Haiti envisions developing a community center in Haiti to provide medical education and services, after school activities, nutritional guidance, and social services. Currently, we organize mission trips to Haiti whereby groups of volunteers travel from the US to Haiti for a week at a time. We have collaborated with community leaders in Cite Soleil, Hospitals in St. Marc, Paillant and Port Salut to conduct mission trips. During each mission trip, we travel with a team of medical doctors, nurses and community volunteers. We provide the patients with medication they need and clothing for adults and children. We also make an effort to educate each patient on his or her health issue and preventative measures.

Within 4 days of the devastating earthquake of 2010, two members of IH and I were in Haiti volunteering our time and efforts to those in need. Additionally, those members remaining in the states mobilized themselves to gather supplies such as walkers, wheelchairs, clothing and medical supplies to send to Haiti. Since that time, we have returned to Haiti with groups of volunteers and served in various communities. Currently, we are in the processes of building relationships with other organizations in order to grow and provide broader services to one community. In the near future, we would like to become more involved in the social aspects such as clean water projects, school building etc. Additionally, although Haiti is a markedly impoverished country, we firmly believe there is tremendous beauty in the land, vibrant and rich culture, food and language. As a result, we strive to expose our volunteers to all of this during the week we are working in Haiti. Our volunteers are fed various classic Haitian dishes the entire week in Haiti. We often end the long and difficult week of working and living in harsh conditions with a visit to a beautiful location to decompress. As a result, our volunteers have a different prospective of Haiti than what they may have seen in the media or heard of prior to visiting. In fact, many of them are eager to return to Haiti with us in the future.

How many people have benefited from Inspire Haiti so far, and how many towns have you served in Haiti?
We have visited several towns in Haiti including Paillant, St. Marc, Carpentier, Mason, Port Salut and several areas in Port-au-Prince. Although it is difficult to give an exact number of how many people have benefited from IH’s services, I would say we have been fortunate enough to serve approximately 1000 people.

Haitian parents are always scolding, but they also like to give advice. What’s the best advice that’s ever been given to you by your parents?
My parents were definitely very strict with my sister and I. They were never reluctant to place us ajenou and the rod was never spared. In addition, they believe it takes a community to raise a child. Our Brooklyn community of Aunts and Uncles, were all entitled to discipline us at any time. At the same time, although they were strict disciplinarians, they were also wonderful counselors to my sister and me. My father would always say, “Piti, piti, zwazo fè nich li—little by little the bird builds its nest. Every time, I hit a bump in the road, my father would remind me of this and say nothing worth having comes easily. He taught me that obstacles are a part of life and should not always be avoided. Overcoming obstacles builds character, strength and integrity.

How did you make it through medical school?
Like all journeys I’ve faced, I made it through medical school by the grace of God and the support of an amazing family and circle of friends. Several are surprised to hear when I say that medical school was fun. I was fortunate enough to go to an exceptional school that focused intently on patients as human beings rather than a disease states. I was also blessed to go to a school that recognize the importance of diversity in medicine and created an environment where I could feel comfortable and flourish. I met the most amazing friends in medical school. Without them and the community we created together, I am certain I would not have made it through.

For those out there who are going into medicine, what words of wisdom do you have to offer?
For those going into medicine today, I would urge them to have a real understanding of our healthcare system and what being a doctor entails. Medicine has become a lot more than simply helping people. There are several ways to make an impact on community without practicing medicine. healthcare in the US is rapidly changing and we must be prepared to change with it. Beyond that if one were still determine to pursue a career in medicine, I would say to stay grounded and make sure you know who you are and what is important to you. Medicine can be all consuming if allowed to be so the act of prioritizing becomes paramount. Be certain to create a balance in your life.

Dr. Myrvine Bernadotte (in blue scrubs) and her staff attending to some patients during an Inspire Haiti medical mission trip.

You’re an ER physician. How do you maintain your cool in stressful situations happening constantly in the emergency room?
There is no other field in medicine that suits me more than emergency medicine. Working in the Emergency Department can at times be stressful. The only predictable thing about it is its unpredictability. During times of stress, I stay calm by relying on God to guide and direct me. I also remain confident in my training and always stay humble. During my residency, I did a rotation in the pediatric intensive care unit, and would be on call at night alone (my supervising physician was always available by phone and would come in from home if I needed). At times, I would be afraid to take a decisive action for fear I would be wrong and cause a critically ill child to deteriorate. A physician I admired told me to never be afraid to help. He said that no matter what, a critically ill patient has a better shot of living with me, as a provider, than without, so do not hesitate to do something. He told me he would never be disappointed in me for being wrong but would be disappointed if I did nothing. I am never done learning. My classroom is my colleagues, nurses, staff and patients. I realize that I don’t always have to have all the answers but I must know where to find them.

Few people will say that they have had it easy in life. What obstacles did you have to overcome?
My life has indeed not been without its fair amount of curve balls and windy turns, however, all things work for good and have helped to shape who I am today. Yet, certain aspects of my life have been more difficult than others. The unexpected death of my beloved grandmother was extremely difficult for me. For me, she epitomized everything good in my world.

Additionally, my path to medical school was not a traditional one. I was initially not accepted into medical school from college. As a result, after college graduation, I worked and went back to school to improve my chances of getting into medical school. I also obtained my Emergency Medical Technician license and volunteered with my local fire department. I entered medical school 3 years after graduating college. Initially, I felt as though my entire identity was in question. I was devastated by the prospect of never being a doctor because it was how I always envisioned myself.

In both of these instances, I ultimately came through it by remembering what my Father has told me, “Piti, piti….” So often in life, God’s plan is not clear to us or seems inexplicable. Nonetheless, I firmly believe that although I don’t understand, there is a reason for a storm or obstacle. I therefore lean on my family and friends for support to get myself through. I realize that I cannot and will not be easily broken.

Love For Haitian Food is easily one of the most popular Haitian-American food blogs. Created by Manie Chery, a Haitian-American foodie, the vlog has thousands of views on Youtube, a highly-trafficked website, and an Instagram account that gets reposted by lovers of Haitian food. For the video recipe tutorials the vlogger presents traditional and non-traditional Haitian cooking recipes with a Haitian-American touch. Follow your fave chick Kreyolicious as I interview the mind behind this foodie venture.

Kreyolicious: Tell us about yourself and your childhood memories you have of food and cooking.
I was a skinny kid…still pretty slim. They used to have to force me to eat a lot unless it was something I liked, like chicken and banann peze… P.S. My older brother and I called every meat chicken [Laughter]. I was not interested in cooking as a kid. My mom would be in the kitchen and I’d be watching cartoons. But at about age twelve, I learned how to make spaghetti—Italian style).

Kreyolicious: Who was instrumental in making you the cook you are today?
Definitely my mom, as I grew older when she was in the kitchen she would say, Vin aprann fè manje [come learn how to whip together a meal]. I honestly didn’t care at the time. But I did notice that my family always asked her to cook for family functions and then they would rave about the food. I was impressed by that, and figured if I wanted people to rave about my food, I’d better learn from her.

Kreyolicious: What made you start your vlog?
Well, in my mid-twenties—I’m thirty something now—I realized that I couldn’t cook anything else well enough besides pasta. I figured there were other young Haitian-Americans who also didn’t know how to cook their favorite Haitian dishes. While searching for recipe videos, I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for. So, I decided to create it. Recipes for Haitian food with visuals that the cooking-challenged could easily follow.

This concludes PART I of the interview with Love for Haitian Food vlogger Manie Chery. Be sure to watch out for Part II. Meanwhile…

CLICK HERE to visit Manie Chery’s I Love Haitian Food vlog| CLICK HERE to visit the I Love Haitian food website | I Love Haitian Food on Instagram |

CLICK HERE to read more articles related to Haitian cuisine.

CLICK HERE to read interviews with other Haitian-American food vloggers!

Haitian-American food vlogger Chef Land Land (yes, that’s right two Lands) is one of the most-followed chefs on Instagram, and she has one of ther fastest growing urban food channels on Youtube. Perhaps you’ve watched one of her Haitian cooking or soul food tutorials? Or perhaps you’ve seen one of her worth-salivating-over photos of her cooking on social media platforms. But how did she get her start? If you love cooking, you should read this interview. If you just love to eat, you should still read this interview! And if you’re an aspiring foodie, you can learn from her…

Kreyolicious: Tell us about some of the earliest memories of you have of food and cooking?
I remember this like yesterday. My grandmother made a meal that I was not used to and could not bring myself to eat. She unfortunately became offended, said that I was rude and the reason I did not eat was because it was from an elderly woman. She said she was throwing in the towel and we would need to prep our own meals. So she showed me the basic…chicken wings.

Kreyolicious: So…Who taught you how to cook?
My mother who started from the very beginning and my oldest sister who stayed by my side for the remainder of my journey.

Kreyolicious: What motivated you to start your cooking channel?
My mother, she was a woman who could light up your heart with her cooking and she passed it down to me. While I am devastated from losing her recently, I want her legacy to go on forever. It’s no secret in the recipes, it’s just about how things are done. I want to share what I know with the world and do the things she didn’t have the chance to fulfill.

Kreyolicious: What are some of the challenges you ran into in the early stages of your venture?
A challenge that I came across was baking. There is science behind baking. The measurements must be precise, and not to mention you must have all of the proper ingredients, especially if you are starting from scratch.

Okra goat stew made by Chef Land Land. [All photos courtesy of Chef Land Land]

Kreyolicious: What’s the most heartwarming compliment you’ve received from a fan?
Whenever I see the Chef Land Land name populate in my notifications, I just know it’s something good”.

Kreyolicious: What would you like to say to aspiring vloggers?
I would tell them, “follow Your heart”. Everyone goes through trial and error. You are not expected to be perfect the first time around. Don’t give up. You just have to practice and stay focused. Always remember, it is tough in the beginning.

Kreyolicious: What’s next for you?
I want my channel to expand, get more followers and one day become a top chef. I have plenty of recipes that I am willing to share and a world full of people who are willing to learn.

Watch one of Chef Land Land’s cooking videos below!

Be sure to visit Chef Land Land’s channel for more video tutorials! CLICK HERE!

The Haitian Roundtable honored dozens of Haitian-Americans at a posh ceremony in New York over the weekend. Known as the 1804 List, the honorees are selected annually by a board. The honorees are selected based on their body of work in their field, and their contribution to redefining the image of Haiti and Haitian-Americans through their achievements.

The event took place at the New York Academy of Medicine, and DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry assumed musical honors for the ceremony. Dr. Jeff Gardere and TV executive and media mogul Mona Scott-Young served as Masters of Ceremony. Co-chairs for the event included Mandell Smith, Mitchell Silver, Eddy Bayardelle, Kedna Brown, and Karine Jean-Pierre.

Haitian-American Olympic Athlete Naomy Grand’Pierre set aside her Olympics uniform to don this lovely slinky dress. The star athlete was among the inductees.

Hip hop artist/actor and community leader Mecca Aka Grimo was inducted on the 1804 List, as was Haitian-American boxer Andre Berto and hip hop legend Kid Kangol

Here are the honorees flanked by members of the Haitian Roundtable organization.

Host Midwin Charles took the time to chat up entertainment mogul Mona Scott-Young. Scott-Young recently announced that she would be producing a biopic of 90s group Xscape.

Here she is again with TV Anchor and journalist Lionel Moise, a past honoree.

Moise was recently nominated for an Emmy for his work as an anchor in Chicago.

Here’s DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry surrounded by some very elegant guests.

Here is Dr. Marie-Paule Dupiton (second row), an honoree, whose work with the organization Heal Haiti earned her many accolades.

Two attendees posed to capture the occasion. Photo Credit: Queen State of Mind

The honorees gather for a group photo. Photo Credit: Hardhittin’ Harry.

I have to tell, you beloved readers, that I was also named an honoree…as among the Ones to Watch. I wish to thank all the board members and the entire Haitian Roundtable organization for that honor. The Ones to Watch list also included the fashion blogger and designer Paola Mathe, Richard Brookshire, Raynald Dieudonne Leveque, and Nika Milbrun.

Ambassador of Haiti Paul Altidor received the Catherine Flon Award, an honor named after the seamstress who crafted Haiti’s flag.

Media legend Joel Dreyfuss was among the guests for what many termed an amazing evening.

Over the course of the evening, the 2017 Changemaker inductees were honored for their achievements. They included: Chancellor Grace Stephens, Sports star Samyr Laine, Andre Berto, business executive Jean-Pierre St. Victor, Joel Vilmeray, writers Joanne Hyppolite, poet/actress Michele Voltaire Marcelin, business executive Patrick Gaston, education leader Jean-Eddy Saint-Paul, executives Josy Dusek and Florence Saint-Jean, Dr. Marie-Paule Dupiton, New York Times and former USA Today reporter Yamiche Altidor, community leader Wilner Auguste, health industry trailblazer Ernest J. Baptiste, engineering entrepreneur Ernest Fleuranvil, award-winning poet Danielle Legros Georges, hip hop pioneer Shaun “Kid Kangol” Fequiere, activist Allison Mariella Desir, Senator Daphne Campbell, Myrtho Cesaire, culinary star Stephan Berrouet Durand, Olympian Naomy Grand’Pierre, entrepreneur Eddy Benoit Jr., and former Police Chief Gary C. Eugene.

Present were many supporters, including these guests who came to show their support for all those being honored.

If you wanted to be working the room with some of the most influential Haitian-Americans on the planet, this was the place to be!

CLICK HERE to visit the Haitian Roundtable website and stay up to date with their upcoming events.