If Dimitri Lilavois were to be held hostage in a particular space in a home, and was given a choice by his captors, he would most likely choose the kitchen. Born and raised in Haiti, Lilavois holds a B.S. in Administration degree from Barry University, and received a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu Miami. It had always been his dream to return to Haiti and work in the hospitality industry there, and this goal was achieved last year when he moved back to the island, following a job offer. As a chef at an upscale restaurant in Port-au-Prince, Lilavois delights in creating stunning dishes for patrons, and it’s something he views as a privilege, not just a job.

Tell us more about yourself.

I’m the youngest from a family of three. I love movies, music, beaches and mountains. I’m a complicated, often confused, unnecessarily clumsy individual with one simple goal in mind: to cook my way through life. The kitchen is where I find my focus. Food is my zen.

Relax for a minute and take us back to a kitchen, food, or cooking-related childhood memory. The first one you can think of…or perhaps the most memorable you can think of.

My mom used to cook these amazing meals on Sundays. The one I remember the most was this menu wich consisted of a seasonal salad w/apples, home made garlic bread, lobster and shrimp with garlic/butter/herbs, cilantro and parsley rice, corn soufflé and Hawaiian chicken with pineapples, cherries, raisins. That’s what I want my last meal to be.

When you were growing up, who was the best cook you knew?

Between my godmother who made the best chocolate cakes ever, my great aunt who made the best chicken filled pastries, my mom’s djon djon rice, and Chef Martin Yan from the TV show “Yan Can Cook”, it’s kinda hard to pick…[Laughter] So that notion of “the best cook” relative.

Can you trace your love of cooking to one particular event?

When I was 7, I used to invent these sauces to eat with spaghetti. I would mix and match any and everything that was in the cupboard, like smoked ham in a barbecue sauce, mixed with honey and soy sauce. Some were successes; others were epic failures never to be spoken of.

What’s your ideal kitchen space?

My ideal kitchen space is functional, efficient and just big enough to move around comfortably. The counter top is equipped with a robot coup, hand blenders and mixers, Panini press. There’s an island with a stove, a grill, a fryer, coolers with drawers, sauteés pans and cast iron skillet hanging from the top.

What do you like most about being a chef?

I was able to develop an appreciation for basic ingredients and cultures because of my understanding of food. The creativity is endless. The ability to bring people together through food is amazing. I get to feed you, nourish your body, and if I’m lucky enough to evoke any emotions from what you just ate. That means I just touched a part of your soul. What’s more rewarding than that?

What are some things you’ve learned about kitchen and staff management?

The kitchen is a high energy, fast pace, heated environment with clashing personalities. Everyone is different; no two skill levels are the same and you have to respect that. I’ve learned a great deal of patience and self- discipline. It’s a tedious job with repetitive tasks, but no two days are alike.

Do you have any words of wisdom for those who are interested in becoming professional cooks?

Yes. I was eager to become a chef, wanting to manage a kitchen, create menus, place orders, etc… Until one day, one chef stopped me and said: “oh yea..? You wanna be a chef…? But first, learn how to cook well.” That stuck with me forever. So, my advice is to take the time to ask yourself “Why”? If your desire is as strong as your conviction, then go for it.

Above: A Chef Dimitri Lilavois creation—mahi-mahi, pickled veggies, umami cream, with herbed potatoes.

And what’s your advice to novice cooks?

There are literally thousands of ingredients and with millions of different flavor combinations. So never stop learning, ever. Read cookbooks, watch Youtube videos, look for a chef to admire and study their path. In the end, your goal is to find your own voice and perfect your techniques. Keep cooking.

You’re a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts. Do you think that culinary school is a necessary rite of passage for a professional chef?

I don’t think culinary school is a necessary rite of passage, but it does have its advantages. You learn techniques, history and the culture surrounding food. There’s a great deal of networking available to students. But what’s necessary to become a professional chef is the will. You have to want it. It takes discipline, courage, passion and enthusiasm. We work when everyone else is having fun, weeknights and weekends.

Do you ever dream of opening your own restaurant?

Every day…

Wilnor Tereau has always wanted to be a physical therapist. He may even become one in the future, but for now, he lives for modeling. He walks down the streets, and he gets admiring stares. It wasn’t always that way. As a pre-teen, he moved to the United States to join his father in Chatham, Massachusetts. He was teased mercilessly for his dark skin. It was a trying time. He had lost his grandmother in his hometown of Ganthier, Haiti—and there he was in a foreign environment where he couldn’t speak the language. “Chatham at the time was a Lilly white town,” he recalls. “I attended middle and high school. I was the only black student in school. I was often teased for being Haitian and black. At school, I was a good student, and I excelled at soccer. After graduated high school, I travelled and attended college where I majored in exercise science.”

Photo Credit: Anthony Grassetti

Kreyolicious: In a previous interview, you talked about how you were bullied at school for being dark-skinned. How did that affect your self-esteem?

Being bullied affected me a great deal. I felt inferior, unintelligent, unattractive. And there were times I would cut classes to avoid the bullying. I became unfriendly and would sit alone during breakfast and lunch.

What did you learn from that whole experience?

I’ve learned that bullying is wrong. It hurts and it may lead to depression—and even death—if not properly managed.

Kreyolicious: How did you break into the modeling industry?

Well, a good friend of mine who models was attending a Puma casting, and I just happened to go for the ride. However, the casting directors convinced me to try out. About a week later, I got a call that I was booked for the ad and the rest was history.

Kreyolicious: How do you take care of yourself between photo shoots and modeling assignments?

I exercise on the regular, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. Good hygiene is essential. I treat myself to a facial, manicure and pedicure. I drink a lot of water for hydration. Sleep is very important. In the words of Diddy, you have to preserve your sexy. [Laughter]

Kreyolicious: And may we ask how you stay in shape in general?

In general, I do a lot of cardio, jogging, biking, dancing, climbing and boxing. I also do strength-training, and play some soccer when I get a chance.

Kreyolicious: What has been the highlight of your modeling career thus far?

Having been able to work with some of the top designers in the industry, from fitness, fashion, and commercials.

Kreyolicious: There’s nothing like wisdom from someone who’s been there. What sort of advice would you give to someone, a male model—trying to break into the industry?

My advice to young male models trying to make it in the industry. Be professional, be open minded, ambitious, this industry is cutthroat , it could make you or break you. And be ware with phony photographers, always make you check out their websites and that they’re credible.

Kreyolicious: You were a star soccer player! Do you still play?

[Laughter] Yes, I still play soccer—although not as much as I used to.

Kreyolicious: Sometimes even our closest friends don’t know us all the way. What would people—even your most intimate friends—be surprised to know about you?

[Laughter] Great question. I have been waiting for the longest time now to be asked this question… Most of my friends and family don’t know that I was born prematurely and actually passed on and came back to life. I’m afraid if I tell them, they’ll freak out. [Also] I love to sing.

Kreyolicious: What traits do you look for in a girl?

Someone with a great personality. Great smile…intelligent, ambitious and must not take life too seriously, because it’s so short. Have a little fun…sex appeal, be confident and take good care of herself.

Kreyolicious: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“You’re the captain of your ship. You’re in control of your life. In the end, it’s what you make of it”. From my good friend Boston based fitness trainer, Jerry Carballo…

Kreyolicious: Do you read a lot?

I do enjoy reading.

Kreyolicious: What was the last good book you read?

I do enjoy reading, the last book I read was Peak and Valleys…

Kreyolicious: What’d you learn from it?

I learnt that you cannot take success for granted. Being at the top does not mean you’re safe. You will have to work much harder to remain on top.

Kreyolicious: You’re very much into philanthropy.

Yes. I’m involved in philanthropy. I traveled a couple times a year to Haiti to volunteer my time. I often go to the villages and or impoverished cities to raise awareness. I do workshops with the kids and adults as well. I teach them about fitness, healthy eating and [bring them] school supplies. I’m currently working on a toy drive for my next trip. I’ve met many kids from an orphanage called Maison Kè Kontan. I fell in love with them. [Laughter] I thought I would help out.

Kreyolicious: What are some of your career plans?

Continuing my hard work as a model, breaking into the acting industry, education is extremely important to me, so it’s also in my plan to further my education. I also plan to continue volunteering and raise awareness in Haiti and other parts of the world.

CLICK HERE to follow Wilnor Tereau the model on TWITTER!

[Main photo: Anthony Grassetti; all others provided by subject]

If you want to meet determination and creativity in the form of a person, meet Goretty Gordon. Goretty is the founder of READ2MeNiTE, a parent-child reading club, and the author of Mikey and Gloria’s Secrets. Wanting to write a book, and actually writing one are two different things. During a conversation with your girl Kreyolicious, she went over all aspects of her journey, and discussed how her book came about. But just as important as her book is the story of the author who wrote it…and I think you’ll find it just as compelling. Read on…

Kreyolicious: Tell us about yourself.

I am a blessed Haitian lady, married to a wonderful Jamaican man. I am also a mother of three young spectacular children and author of Mikey and Gloria’s Secrets, the first of the Secrets series. These stories emphasize on the importance of all children revealing any and all possible harmful secrets they may keep.

I was brought up in Boston, but have lived in South Florida for over a decade now. I grew up watching my mother work all the time. My dad worked as well. Our job as children was to go to school and do our homework. Reading was always encouraged. I developed a love for reading and writing early on but never truly realized what effect I could have on people who read what I wrote. When I moved to South Florida, I never intended to write, although my actions proved otherwise. I worked many jobs and many times if I had the opportunity, at lunch time let’s say, it wasn’t uncommon to find me writing the time away. Eventually I found less and less time to write. It wasn’t until recently when my past and present seemed to come full circle that I found myself being pushed back into my writing. I was in a state of many emotions and internal conflicts. I honestly believe God reconnected me with my passion for writing as a means to not only tighten my bond with my children—who inspire me daily—but also as a source of escape. The funny thing about that is when following your passions to escape from things you sometimes find yourself using that very thing to help others. I guess that’s when healing really begins, wouldn’t you say? Well, I say Amen for the process of healing.

Kreyolicious: What was the writing and publishing process like for Mikey and Gloria’s Secrets
When I started writing Mikey and Gloria’s Secrets , it was a story I intended for my children. I never knew what the content would consist of. I didn’t even have the title until it was completed. I wanted to be a better mom when it came to reading to my children. I struggled more with the fact that I wasn’t making a more diligent effort at doing it because I was someone who loved to read and write. As a mom—before I had children—I always thought if I ever did have children that reading to them would be my ace in the hole. Not only that, I grew up in a Haitian home and we all know the saying, aller chercher un livre [Go get a book]. So when all the excuses you can think of—“It’s way past your bedtime”, “Okay, the rest for tomorrow”—[were said] after only reading a few lines became a pattern, I had to do something about it. I just had to. I started jotting things down one day as I waited at my son’s school pick-up spot. I decided I would write a story for my babies. Before I knew it, I had a story that pretty much started me in on this message of secrets and talking about [them]. Being a stay-at-home mom now for the past couple of years almost, has been so rewarding in the obvious ways, but there’s something to be said for the women and children out there who do that while carrying baggage of the past in regards to violence and sexual assaults. You’re home most of the day and watching your children sometimes becomes a most fearful experience. The fear of someone hurting your child when you’re not looking—or worse still right under your nose—is a real terrifying feeling. Prevention is important, yes–but let’s be honest–in most circumstances we usually prevent when we know something is up. I say we need to shield my children, your children, our children before we believe something is up. I don’t believe I was given this passion of mine for me and mine alone. Mikey and Gloria’s Secrets and the message of secrets is one all children deserve access to. I started a reading group with the kids as well in which I invited any child or parent who wanted to attend on a bi-weekly basis to come read with us. I figured if someone like me who’s a bookworm at heart finds reasons not to read to my [reading-]craving children, then others might need a little accountability as well. My son’s elementary school motto is, “It takes a village.” I’d like to add the village has to be willing.

Kreyolicious: When you were in elementary school, did you take construction paper and try to make a book cover for an imaginary book?
I don’t remember ever trying to make a cover for an imaginary book when I was in elementary school, but I do recall in middle school I got to make a journal while the other students completed their projects to pass for the term. My requirements were already fulfilled, so I got to choose to make a journal for fun. I used construction paper for the interior sleeves and thicker type of paper—perhaps cardboard—for the exterior. I covered that with a pretty pink fabric with vertical stripes on it. Once it was graded for the sake of being graded and returned to me, I gave it to my mother as a random gift. To this day, I peek through it every so often as I remember her.

Kreyolicous: Do you think school helped shaped who you’ve become?
I believe every experience in life—whether you’re a spectator or a participant—if you’re a witness, it will definitely shape you in some form or fashion. My experiences at school ranged from feeling alone in elementary due to being a minority in a primarily Caucasian school to feeling alone and awkward when I tried fitting in once I reached middle school. The hard part in that was not really being into the slang and boys yet, wearing clothes more than once in a week, my lips were too big and my backside was definitely not in, yet. I was the ugly Haitian girl, the big-lipped girl, and my name was Goretty Spaghetti. To top that off, I was the tallest most of my school years. In high school, things started to turn around a bit, but I by no means knew who the true me was or would be. Of course, at that age, I thought I did [know the true me]. In hindsight, I think school is where I started to learn for myself how I wanted to be treated, and how I would try and treat others. More importantly for me now also, is how I want my children and all children to be treated by each other and by adults.

Kreyolicious: Did you ever feel discouraged through the process?
Of course, I felt discouraged at times. I don’t think anyone can pursue a dream without some frustration. The times I feel most discouraged were when self-doubt started to creep its ugly head into mine. When you’re passionate about something, you’re compelled to see it through. Of course you have those moments. One of my biggest concerns in the beginning of this process was the content. I felt like, yes, I am child-like in many ways and can relate to children, but I am an adult. Will my wording offend anyone? Is the language appropriate enough? Is the message of Secrets: Talk About It clear to readers, children and adults alike?

Kreyolicious: What kept you going?
Those times I prayed, played with my kids and thought about why I wanted to succeed. I reread [the manuscript], asked appropriate people—such as teachers—for critiques, and keep it moving.

Kreyolicious: What would you like to tell those who’d like to become authors?
To anyone who desires to be an author I say, if you have a story to tell, don’t live with regret. Tell it. Face your fears head-on. Write because you can’t help it, and get published because you just have to share it.

Kreyolicious: How do you stay connected to Haitian culture?
I am in the group of Haitians who left Haiti when we were about five or six years old, and haven’t returned. When my parents vacationed there, it was common that one had to stay behind to work and watch us kids while we attend school. That’s one of the drawbacks of working for other people…they tell you when you can take vacations. I speak what I like to call broken Creole, but can definitely hold my own in a conversation. But, they might make fun of me in Haiti to say the least. [Laughter] No matter what, Haiti is in me and I in her. Nothing can change that. Nor would I ever want to. The goal is reach as many children as possible with the message of Secrets. [Get them to] talk about it. My Haitian babies won’t be forgotten.

Kreyolicious: What’s next for you?
The second book in the Secrets series, Secrets of Friends, is now available on Amazon in softcover and kindle as well. I am currently working on the third Secrets: Talk About It book. It isn’t going away anytime soon. For the sake of all children, we need to provide them with this tool that tells them we are listening to the silence and our eyes are open to the unseen. They are not alone. We can’t help if we don’t know. They need to know if they are being hurt—maybe touched or hit—when it comes to harmful secrets like those they need to talk about it. Follow me on this journey and join in on this important message. Purchase a copy for your child, any child. Read with them. Ask questions about the issues the stories bring up. Let’s help them speak out.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE GORETTY GORDON’S BOOK ON AMAZON |

Meet Mitzi Coaker, the recipe developer and licensed caterer behind MCatering LLC, a Chicago-based food service company. But it’s not just any catering company. Coaker serves up ethnic foods in general, but the Haitian-American entrepreneur’s specialty is, well…Haitian cuisine! Read on to find out how she’s bringing Haitian-American cuisine to Chicago and surrounding areas.

Kreyolicious: How did your passion for cooking begin?
Mitzi Coaker: My passion for cooking begin in Haiti when I tasted a pate. The flavors exploded in my mouth and to this day I’ve been trying to recreate that taste.

Kreyolicious: What made you start your catering business?
Mitzi Coaker: I started my catering business because it gave me the opportunity and luxury to serve great food and not feel pressured to perform every day if I own a restaurant right now. Also as a caterer, my events will be a showcase in itself especially since I’m introducing an unknown cuisine (Haitian) to the Chicagoland area.

Kreyolicious: What’s the best meal you had growing up?
Mitzi Coaker: The best meal I had growing up was sauce poi rouge avec du riz blanc [rice and beans with white bean dip] and of course Haitian chicken and sauce.

Kreyolicious: Any ideas on how great cooks can take their cooking to the next level?
Mitzi Coaker: Never stop learning. Do your research on your cuisine. Watch great chefs learn from their techniques. Take advice you don’t know it all. Do a survey on your market audience.

Kreyolicious: How do you stay on top of your game?
Mitzi Coaker: Keep your business relevant. Broaden your horizons. Try a new venue. Reach a new market. Best of all practice on making your dishes the best it can be.

Kreyolicious: What’s the Haitian-American community like in Chicago?
Mitzi Coaker: The Haitian-American community is pretty segregated. It’s mostly on the east side of Chicago and far north almost Evanston. Nothing in the Metropolitan Chicago Area, that’s where my passion is.

Kreyolicious: Some people are probably thinking…a Haitian dude Jean-Baptiste du Sable founded Chicago and all. That city should be receptive to a little Haitian food. What are your thoughts?
Mitzi Coaker: Most people have not had Haitian food. They compare it to Jamaican food, don’t like that. We don’t even have a Haitian restaurant in Chicago. The only one is in Evanston.

Kreyolicious: In your food adventures in Chicago, what do you note about other people of African descent….are they embracing Haitian cuisine…what do they think of the dishes…
Mitzi Coaker: I’m known for my rice, so my immediate circle is aware of it. On a larger scale, choices are so many that it would take much capital to be on the map.

Kreyolicious: What challenges do you come across with your clientele?
Mitzi Coaker: Challenges with my clienteles. Consistency…Money.

Kreyolicious: Do you go to Haiti often?
Mitzi Coaker: I’ve been to Haiti seven times in six years with my church on missions trip. I’ve been inspired each time to showcase Haitian cuisine to the Chicagoland area. I would bring spices, bread, essence and coffee. I would share them with my friends and families. Unfortunately the best thing Haiti has that I can’t bring are the mangoes. Last time I was there I bought three of the pots that you would see the ladies cooking on the streets.

Kreyolicious: Looking back at your career and business…who gave you the best advice ever?
Mitzi Coaker: The best advice that I’ve gotten was from my mom. She said she used to cook for free. but I’m cooking and getting paid for it. I see it as each generation is breaking a barrier. Also clean up as you cook.

Kreyolicious: What’s next for you?
Mitzi Coaker: What’s next for me? In five years I plan on having at least one paid employee and a small i

CLICK HERE to visit the M Catering LLC website and to learn more about Haitian American cuisine fusion!

Kevin Dorival seems to be everywhere, ever since he published The Courage to Believe, an inspirational, self-help book that chronicles his journey from an individual who lived—in his words—“the thug life”, to the marketing professional, author, and motivational speaker he has grown into today.

Dorival was born in Florida in the 1980s to Haitian parents. His mother, a single-parent, mindful of the bad influences in their neighborhood, encouraged her first-born to excel in school and attend church regularly.

Ironically, Dorival chose to rebel at the end of his teenage years, taking part in reckless behavior that earned him an eight-month stint in jail and five years of probation in the early 2000s. But manman didn’t raise no egare. Dorival felt he had too much potential as an individual to gift his life over to a destructive system. He was released early from his probation and continued his college education and in 2005 earned a Bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic University.

After contemplating it for years, he said, he finally published his tome. Ten percent of the book’s sales will go towards supporting an orphanage in Haiti.

Now, aside from promoting his book and running his business, Dorival is out and about at institutions and at cultural events, speaking to people—young and old—about never giving up, and mustering up the courage to believe in themselves— the way he’s learned to.

Q & A

Your book is part self-help, part autobiography. Did you have some reservations about putting parts of your life out there for everyone to see?
Did I! [Laughter] Yes, of course! I’m a very private person so I had to come out of my shell in order to help my community. When the time came to actually make my first print run of books, I was like: “OMG, the whole world will know many of my most intimate moments!” However, by that point, I came too far to stop. The feeling was the equivalent of putting your diary online for everyone to see. We were actually practicing for the play, based from the book, before I actually had the first copy of the book.

Some writers begin books they never finish. How did you manage to write your book from beginning to end?
I’ve heard that story of authors giving up plenty of times. To be honest in order to become an author you have to be a disciplined writer and business minded. It took me five years from start to finish to get my book, The Courage To Believe to manifest. The drama with the editors, publishing, and life in general was making it impossible for me to finish. I literally had to go through four editors, which brought an immense amount of stress to my bank account and me.

In 2012, I didn’t make any New Year’s resolution. My only focus was to bring my book into fruition—point blank. I realized the dedication that I had in previous years didn’t suffice. I had to give this book my full, undivided attention. No dating, no clubs, no playing around. My mind was set on just church, work, and writing.

What was the publishing process like for you?
Good question. The publishing process was very enlightening. I learned so much about book sizes, book formatting, and printing, etc. Luckily I was already contacting printing company months before I was really ready to get my book printed. This gave me time to plan and shop around for the best prices and quality. Whenever you’re going to war, history shows us it’s usually the opponent that had more time to plan a strategic battle [who] almost always wins the war. I had the opportunity to study the business of publishing, which was in my mind a war that I had to win. Being on a limited budget, I decided to use my best weapon—reading. I love to read and I still do. I read books like The Complete Guide To Self-Publishing by Marilyn Ross and Sue Collier and Publicizing Your Book by Jacqueline Deval. After six months of renting these informative books from the library, I finally decided to purchase them. There were a couple of other awesome books and blogs that convinced me to start my own book publishing and coaching business, Sky View Creative Circle. I joined forces with my fabulous editor and play director Ashley Beauchamp and my awesome web designer Gary Pierre to start the company.

In writing your book Courage to Believe, what message were you hoping to get across?
It doesn’t matter what your past was like, it doesn’t matter what it looks like or what they are saying about your family – You can win! Don’t ever give up! Keep moving forward! I’ve seen so many people give up on their dreams and it always bothered me to see my people live substandard lifestyles. We are all kings and queens and deserve the best in life. As you read my book, you’ll find out that I did eight months in jail and lived the thug life. However, I grew up like a rose from the concrete. If I can overcome all of those obstacles then so can anyone, else, but you have to really want it.

What has been your parents’ reaction regarding your accomplishments?
My mother Queen Rosette Pierre, was my biggest supporter. She was so happy to see work on the book, which would be my family’s first published book. Actually, I was also the first of many things in my family and I hope not the last. When my mom saw me walk across the stage at Florida Atlantic University’s graduation, it was a moment to remember. The fact that I almost died due to a brutal attack a year prior was a testimony in itself. I know that is what my mom was thinking about. My grandparents were so proud of me because I was the first to graduate college in my family. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and minor in Marketing.

You’re hoping to inspire a lot of people with your book, no doubt. Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
The biggest influence in my life has to be my mom, Rosette Pierre. I watched this lady make a dollar out of fifteen cents—literally. She was a praying woman and a woman of her word. My mom never called herself a queen, but she carried herself as one. All my life she spoke victory over my life and set the standards high in our family. She was diagnosed with cancer in her spine, multiple myeloma in 2005 and passed away on May 26, 2008. Her strength was passed along to all her of five kids.

Do you remember the first time you went to Haiti?
Believe it or not, I’ve never been to Haiti. Whenever I tell people that their mouths drop and say, “You never been to Haiti! Why?” When I was growing up all I heard about Haiti frightened me. One morning my family and I were leaving for Haiti but I cried my butt off until my mom decided to let me stay. That was when I was about nine years old. In the spring of 2010, I planned on taking my vacation in Haiti but unfortunately the earthquake devastated our country. My family begged me not to go, literally. I’m anxious to go and once when God wants me to. I do know that when I finally go to Haiti it will be a major business trip. I want to see my parents’ families and enjoy the good food, but I mainly want to see where I can build a solid foundation. I planning on going around Christmas 2013. On my vacation.

At this point in your life, what are you most proud of?
In 2007, defeating the U.S. Army in the Washington, D.C. Trademark Office for my clothing line, One Man Army, Inc. That was a victory that is almost unheard of, especially, from a Haitian King. The United States Army felt that the name of my clothing line was too similar to their old slogan, “Army of One”. Everyone—including my family—was telling me to leave this battle alone. To think of it, they almost persuaded me to not pursue the case but I wasn’t doing anything illegal so I went for the gusto and won!

My most recent, proudest moment was when I was on the front cover of the Sun-Sentinel, Florida’s largest newspaper. The article went public online the day before my stage play, January 4, 2013 and was printed that Saturday and Sunday. The title was, “After 20 Years, Teacher Gets A Thank You To Remember.” The article gave me a huge recognition boost in South Florida. It was an honor to recognize my fifth grade teacher—Mrs. Wyche—for her hard work. I gave her a dozen roses while I was giving my speech after the play.

Some people lack the courage to believe in themselves, that they can make it, that they can do it. What advice do you have for them to make it through tough times?
People aren’t born with courage; it’s developed over a serious experiences, whether they were good or bad. Focus on what you have and not that you don’t have. There is so much that is going on in life than what you can see. It’s a spiritual battle. Read Ephesians 6:8-10. God will bless what you put your hands to, especially, if it will be a blessing to others. Reevaluate your life. Ask yourself, “How many positive people and things do I surround myself with? Are the words that are coming out of my mouth curse words, placing curses to your life and those around me? Are they positive? Words that are blessing those around you and a blessing to your own life?”

Get rid of as many negativity aspects out of your life as possible. Once you evaluate your life, environment and words then you can actively change your mindset to something conducive for victory, success, and increase. Be sure to take a piece of paper and divide them by what you consider positive and negative. If the negative side outweighs the positive, then you know what you must do.

You said you lived the thug life. What do you think led to that choice? What do you think contributed to that?
Lack of a male figure in my life and home. Most of the families in my neighborhood lived in single parent homes. We were left by our fathers to fend for ourselves. Boys growing up need a male role model because a woman can only do so much. I needed support at a time [when] no one was there to guide [me] to the right path—even though I knew the difference between right and wrong.

What did your family think of this?
I brought dishonor to my family. My mom was very disappointed and hurt that her brightest son fell into the system.

When did you see the light that you were destined for something else?
While I was locked up, I was able to witness how and why so many of our black men, many Haitians, gave up on their future. The fact that I was able to see both sides of the spectrum I knew that God wanted me to help stop the revolving door of prison and death.

What advice do you have for youths who “are about that life”?
My advice would be to tell them that those “Cowboy Days” are over with. The streets are only temporary and the grave is definite—if prison doesn’t catch up with you first. We all are kings and queens, and the streets will rob you of all your dreams and goals.

What’s next for you?
My book The Courage To Believe, is also a stage play and will be a movie so please look out for me. Will need my people to support this positive movement. My stage play crew will be touring around Florida and eventually the nation – God willing. We’ve received so many great reviews about the stage play that we just have to keep grinding it. I have to allocate the funds to make such a venture a reality but I believe that we will make it happen. I want to continue writing books and I’ve already started my next one; it’s a children fantasy story that I’m going to present to Disney. I get excited just thinking about it! Currently, I’m conducting a fundraiser to go on a two week-[long] tour of Ghana, West Africa to do research in order to complete the book. If you know of any investors or sponsors, have them contact me for more info or donate through my website. There is a comedy movie that is cooking in my head as well; people will love it because it’s based on a type of person that we all know personally.

Every other week, I am visiting a middle or high school or organization speaking with teens and young adults from the ages thirteen to twenty-eight. Other than that, I’m helping future authors with developing their books and marketing them as well. In due time, I’ll be able to leave my internet marketing job to pursue my dream of buying a corporate building where my marketing company will have its headquarters.

You can visit Kevin Dorival’s website here. You can purchase his book here.