Teen singer Julie Marie is like most 12th graders who are home-schooled, except that, well, she spends her weekends doing the most interesting things. Like performing “Haiti Girl” in front of fans at BET Experience, and being interviewed by MTV. Interesting things, as in performing in stadiums around the nation, opening for the R&B/pop group act Mindless Behavior. Born in New Hampshire to an American mom and a Haitian dad, the singer-songwriter has already released her first EP entitled “The Movement.” And it’s her voice behind the Generation Z love anthem “Generation”.

Kreyolicious: First off, how long have you been singing?

I’ve been singing professionally for about two years now. But I started singing in church since I was 9 years.

Kreyolicious: While you were singing in church, did you find yourself struck by the voices of any singers in particular?

When I was about 10, I went to my first concert, and it happened to be Alicia Keys. When I saw her up on stage doing her thing, I was star-struck. After the concert, I even got braids in my hair. That was the moment I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I wanted to be on stage and have everyone looking up at me singing along to my songs.

Kreyolicious: Where was this—what venue?

Boston. TD Garden.

Kreyolicious: What was it about her and her singing?

I think it was just the way she carried herself. When she was on stage, she was just having fun doing what she loves—and you could see it in her eyes.

Kreyolicious: You were born and raised in New Hampshire. What was that like?

It’s most definitely different from L.A…The lifestyle there is very homey and everyone is family- orientated. Everyone cared about you basically. It was a culture shock moving to L.A…because you already know the industry…and for me the way I was raised was way different from the the lifestyle here.

Kreyolicious: Do you think you’ve fully adapted at this point?

To be honest…No. I don’t think anyone could adjust to it. It just really important to keep yourself grounded with good people and always remember where you came from. That’s how I go about everyday.

Kreyolicious: This past weekend, you had to do two shows. How do you keep your energy up when you have back-to-back performances scheduled?

I love it! I love performing! I don’t even get nervous! it’s crazy. If I could perform back-to-back shows everyday that would be amazing! But when it comes to getting tired, I keep my Takis, Monster, and Kool-Aid close by.

Kreyolicious: What do you usually do to prep for a show?

Right before a show I eat Takis. It’s kinda become a tradition for me. Then, my dancers and team turn up and dance backstage and pray right before we go on.

Kreyolicious: So, you’ve already recorded an EP entitled “The Movement”. Can you discuss putting it together?

The processes of making “The Movement” was amazing, but also a bit stressful. I love being the studio. I could be there all day—everyday. The only hard part so to say would be choosing what songs would make the EP.

Kreyolicious: Did you have a lot of songs to choose from? And how did you determine which to include?

Not a lot. The team came in and we listened to the songs and it is just about choosing hits. “What will the fans love?” is the questions you have to ask yourself.

Kreyolicious: Did you write all of the songs on the EP?

I co-write my songs with my producer. I keep a journal with me everywhere I go, and I write about how I feel about certain situations going in my life or something that I see. And then when I get into the studio, we turn it into a song.

Kreyolicious: That’s awesome. I think it’s always nice when a performer can also create their own material.

Exactly…It’s more real. The artist connects to the song more.

Kreyolicious: How long did it take for the actual recording of the album?

From start to finish…about eight months.

Kreyolicious: Oh, wow…I think it’s pretty cool that you have a non-profit foundation. What made you start it? And what’s the latest with it?

Thank you! I started when I turned 16. Being half-Haitian and hearing about the earthquake, I wanted to do something about it. For my sweet sixteen, instead of having presents, I had everyone donate towards my charity. Then in July [2013], I went to Haiti for about a month and just gave back. It was amazing to be there and see how they live. It really opened my eyes and made me a lot more grateful for what I have.

Kreyolicious: That’s cool. Was that your first time going to Haiti?

Yes, it was.

Kreyolicious: Going back anytime soon?

I’m planning on going there and doing a concert. I’m very much looking forward to it. My song “Haiti Girl” is going crazy over there so I can’t wait to go back.

Kreyolicious: What were your impressions of the country?

I love how everyone is family…like literally everyone [Laughter] the whole town is your family! I love how everything is so chill and you can just relax and crack some jokes on the beach.

Kreyolicious: What part did you go to?

Port-au-Prince briefly. Mainly Les Cayes and Port-Salut.

Kreyolicious: Do you know Creole?

Yes. Fluently. My grandmother taught me when she came to the US when I was 4.

Kreyolicious: Your parents moved to Los Angeles to support your career, so obviously they approve of your career choice. What’s the biggest lesson they’ve taught you?

The biggest lesson they’ve taught me was to remember where I came from.

Kreyolicious: Speaking of where you came from…where do you want to end up in your career?

L.A. I plan on staying here. Eventually, I want to move to England for a short time, but as of now, L.A.

Kreyolicious: In terms of accomplishments…in terms of a full-length album?

I’m actually starting on the album right now…I’m on tour with Mindless Behavior and Aaron Carter so soon I am going to be doing my own tour and selling out arenas.

VISIT JULIE MARIE’S WEBSITE| FOLLOW JULIE MARIE ON TWITTER| BUY HER MUSIC ON iTUNES| JULIE MARIE ON YOUTUBE

I still can remember the first time I ever heard of Marie Vieux Chauvet. It was from reading Dr. Myriam J.A. Chancy’s study of Haitian literature by women entitled: Framing the Silence: Revolutionary Novels by Haitian Women. I think that for sure I may have read briefly about her in Léon François Hoffman’s survey of Haitian literature, and J. Michael Dash’s book, Literature and Ideology in Haiti, 1915-1961, and perhaps didn’t notice. While I’m on the subject of Chancy, I will also say that I’m eternally grateful to her because before I read her book, I had no idea that there were so many women Haitian writers. To me that book is a great contribution to Haitian women’s literature, though it’s just a survey. Nadine Magloire, Yanick Lahens, Madame Virgile Valcin, better called Cleanthe Desgraves, Annie Desroy, all were introduced to me by Framing the Silence.

Love, Anger, Madness: A Haitian Triptych is translated from the French by Rose-Myriam Réjouis and Val Vinokur, and the translation, as far as I can tell is outstanding. Nothing seemed amiss. I must say that I’m extremely grateful to those two as well, and the Vieux estate for making this English translation possible, and to make it accessible to so many of us. And thank you Modern Library Classics.
Edwidge Danticat wrote a rather gracious forward. I’m sure she feels a lot of gratitude towards Vieux Chauvet, who in a way, paved the way for Ms. Danticat. I’m sure she views her as an inspiration.

Marie Vieux Chauvet-undated photo (left)

Reading the book put me in quite a state. A state of fear, it’s like classic horror, but the bogeymans were all visible. I had read on Haitiwebs.com about how Marie Vieux Chauvet (to self: I wonder if she’s related to the CaRiMi singer Carlo Vieux), and how she went into exile, how her family had her books burned for fear of reprisal from the government, because, really she was denouncing the 1960s-era Duvalier government in thinly-disguised plotlines even though in the narrative she set her story decades before. In the first book (Love), Claire Clarmont (a rather ironic name, considering that Claire means light in French), a dark-skinned Haitian born into an elite Haitian family consisting of mulattoes and near-white relatives, feels isolated and unloved, but facing the tyranny of a dictatorship gives her the strength she needs to affirm her identify. In the second part of the trilogy, Rose Normil, the beautiful daughter of one of Haiti’s most powerful mulatto families allows herself to be sodomized by a police chief to save her family’s land from governmental pillagers. I almost couldn’t muster the gumption to read the last novella Madness, the story of Réné, the political prisoner, who’s being starved and terrorized in a prison cell, along with other dissidents.

I felt horrified throughout the time I was reading the novellas in this trilogy. What a way to live. I felt the pain of Rose’s family; I felt Claire’s frustration, the agony of the Normils, as the family maid who was secretly envying their lifestyle and their wealth, betrayed them.

I couldn’t help but notice a lot of anti-black Haitian sentiment throughout the novel. The police chief in Anger doesn’t have a name, but is referred to as the Gorilla, and in the narrative his African features are constantly put in derision. But I try to understand that it must not have been pretty for people to be victimized because of their skin color.

I understand from reading the books Written in Blood by Heinls clan, The Breached Citadel by Patrick Bellegarde, that up to the 1950s, there was no black middle class in Haiti. And that one of the things that occurred during the late-50s and up to the 1970s, was an incessant persecution and purging of the fair-skinned middle and upper class to make way for the Haitian black middle class. But why did one color need to be wiped out to make place for another. Coexistence wasn’t possible? SMH.

If you’ve read this book, kindly share your thoughts on it. If you can help it, try to stick to general storylines, so as to not spoil the plot for others who have yet to read it.

Fashion label Rue 107’s founder Marie Jean-Baptiste is what a small business analyst would call a serial entrepreneur. She’s launched businesses after businesses, and firms after firms. Her latest venture is Rue 107, a New York-based fashion brand that has just celebrated it’s fifth year of existence.

Kreyolicious: In high school, were you attracted by the fashion industry…were you that person who wore heels to class, or were you the wallflower type?
I was definitely more of the wallflower type than a heels girl! I loved very high platform shoes and wide seventies style bell-bottoms. Of course, that made me a bit of an oddball because everyone was obsessed with Jordans and Timberland boots but it all worked out. I bought my first sewing machine after I graduated from high school and fell in love with fashion.

Kreyolicious: Do you think that attending college helped you grow your business?
Attending college certainly helped in the growth of my business in terms of helping others. I knew I wanted to create, but I also wanted to help people and be part of something that is bigger than myself. Now, I am in a position where I’m able to do both and it’s a great feeling.

Kreyolicious: Prior to founding Rue 107, you founded three other businesses. What did you learn from those ventures that helped you this time around?
Each business that “failed” really set me up for the next one to be better. Being an entrepreneur is an ongoing marathon; it’s a long-term exercise of faith, courage, and perseverance. All experiences teach priceless lessons, and the application of these lessons is key.

The Rue107 showroom in New York.

Kreyolicious: Now those experiences taught you something, but surely there were some new experiences that you didn’t have any precedents as you took the helm of Rue 107. What challenges did you come across with Rue 107 that called for you to stretch your experiences?
So many! I would say the biggest lesson for me was understanding the money. Understanding cash flow, your balance sheets, payroll, taxes, profit versus loss etc. Passion is great but without understanding the money, you will never feel in control of your business.

Kreyolicious: Sometimes, we look at the “us” of five years ago, and marvel at our growth, at how much we’ve changed. Is there anything that you were incompetent at, at one point that you’ve gotten better at?
Being an entrepreneur is not for the comfortable, one must always be ready to learn and be challenged. I remember feeling like I could never possibly build a team, let alone lead one. But for each hire (and fire) you learn to do better the next time around. I also work with a business coach periodically to help me build certain skills that I might be having a hard time building on my own.

Kreyolicious: What would you say to recent graduate about the journey ahead?
I would say to let go of the concept of a plan B. If you have a plan B, you will never excel at point A. Point A is giving it your all. No shortcut, no mediocrity, no looking back. If your goal is to become a top executive at your firm, give the goal a set time, and give it everything you got. Same goes for starting a business, or any other career plan.

Kreyolicious: No matter how much you love what you do, you may experience down moments as a creative. How do you deal with those times?
One thing I make sure to do each morning is pray. I also meditate a few times a week. I learned to also make time for myself away from the business. I think it’s crucial to know yourself outside of your business. It is very easy to start evaluating yourself through the lenses of your business, especially when things are not going well. Don’t do that. Whether your business is on the verge of shutting down, or just got evaluated for a billion dollars, never align who you are with those results. They are a by-product of a time period of your life, not your identity.

Kreyolicious: Wow. Best advice ever…Where do you see yourself the Rue107 brand five to seven years from now?
I hope to expand into a full lifestyle brand. I want to offer women multiple ways to express themselves. Whether it’s wearing colorful and bold attire to having a beautifully decorated apartment, I think everyone should have the opportunity to standout and feel confident doing so.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE RUE0107 BRAND!

The entrepreneur Victor Kaim reportedly said, “An entrepreneur assumes the risk and is dedicated and committed to the success of whatever he or she undertakes.” If he were alive today (he died in the early 2000s), Marie Jean-Baptiste would probably be a safe bet for him as an investor. She’s on her sixth business. Rue107, her latest venture, begun five years ago in New York.

The line has won praises from fashion bastion Vogue, and stopped conversations during this year’s Essence Magazine’s festival this year. Clearly, ms. Jean-Baptiste, has a mind for business.

But the Port-au-Prince-born and Brooklyn-raised businesswoman didn’t always have a business mindset, but she always had foresight. When she graduated from high school, she did so with a vocational diploma in nursing, ready to battle the post-secondary world. After her application to the Fashion Institute in NYC was rejected, she continued to pursue a career in healthcare as a registered nurse. But you can’t cower from what you’re meant to do. One year away from graduating with her undergraduate nursing degree, Ms. Jean-Baptiste walked off to launch her contemporary women’s fashion line.

In the first segment of our convo, we mostly discussed Rue107, and what it’s like to be a fashion entrepreneur. This part of our discussion centers more on Haiti and Haitian-American culture.

Kreyolicious: So, you came here from Haiti when you were little. What was it like becoming Haitian-American?
Becoming Haitian-American was a completely different and scary experience for me. It’s always weird transitioning from a place you’ve called your home your whole life to now making a different country your home. Everything in Brooklyn, and New York City for that matter, is so fast-paced and it took a while adjusting too. Now, I love and appreciate the diversity this city has to offer.

Kreyolicious: Have you been to Haiti recently?
I visited Haiti this past January. There are some noticeable changes from what I remember. I saw a lot of influence from the Haitian diaspora mixed with our traditional cultural treasures. I think the hybrid of those two things is transforming Haiti in a great haven for entrepreneurship, tourism, infrastructure and overall economic growth.

Kreyolicious: Would you ever consider having a photo shoot in Haiti?
A photo shoot in Haiti would be so much fun! Having the bold colors of Haiti mixed with the bold prints from Rue.

Kreyolicious: Are you immersed in the culture now?
It’s hard to not be immersed in a culture that is a part of who I am. I always try to incorporate a little bit of that Haitian flare throughout the prints of the Rue107 clothing line.

Kreyolicious: Any Haitian artists you currently follow?
I love the classics- Sweet Micky, T-vice, Boukman, Emeline Michel, Tabou Combo. I need to get in the groove of the new school!

Kreyolicious: Girl, what’s your favorite Haitian meal?
I love taso kabrit! I order it from Le Soleil restaurant in Hell’s Kitchen–such a gem in the neighborhood. I read recently they are the oldest Haitian restaurant in the city, amazing food. I also love tchaka and soup joumou, which my mom makes for me sometimes.

Kreyolicious: Do you source Haiti based vendors for Rue107?
I am currently not sourcing with Haiti based vendors, but I would love to learn more about the process. It would be a rewarding feeling to say I was able to contribute to the growth of Haiti and that Haiti has contributed to the growth of Rue107.

Kreyolicious: Have you ever thought of starting a fashion school in Haiti, or holding fashion seminars?
This is an ongoing conversation I have with myself, my family and my peers. I am at the stage where I am recovering Haiti as an adult. After being away for nineteen years, it feels so good to connect again, and I can’t wait to see how it will all play out in my entrepreneurial journey.

If you missed PART I of the interview with Marie Jean-Baptiste, the founder of Route107, CLICK HERE!

GET TO KNOW RUE107 AND ITS DESIGNER MARIE JEAN-BAPTISTE.

#Kreyolicious Books More than forty following her death, legendary Haitian author Marie Vieux Chauvet’s book La Danse du Volcan, originally published in the mid-1950s, will get an English translation from Archipelago, a nonprofit indie publishing press.

In 2010, the publisher Modern Library Classics had published a translation of the author’s 1967 novel entitled Amour, Colère, Folie entitled Love, Anger, Madness. Literary scribes Rose-Myriam Rejouis and Val Vinokur were the translators for that edition.

In The Dance of the Volcano, Chauvet tells the story of two sisters (ahem, then known as Saint-Domingue), and their fate in color-divided, colonial Haiti.

The Dance of the Volcano‘s translator is none other than Kaiama L. Glover, an author who had experiences with translating another Haitian literary classic, Ready to Burst by Frank Etienne.

The kindle and paperback edition of The Dance of the Volcanowill be available in November.

You can pre-order it BY CLICKING HERE!

Dance on the Volcano by Marie Vieux Chauvet is coming from Archipelago Books in December.

The novel tells the story of Minette, a theater actress and singer living in colonial Haiti (then known as Saint-Domingue). Minette becomes embroiled in the slave uprising, though the man she loves is s slave owner.

Be sure to watch for it!