While most kids his age are passing time in front of video games , watching anime, tweeting and Facebooking, 10th grader Avery Racine is overseeing the operations of Teen2Teen, a his very own non-profit, while balancing school work, volunteering, and participation in school sports (he’s on his school’s soccer, basketball, and lacrosse team). Teen2Teen is the youth branch of Phoenix Rising for Haiti, a volunteer non-profit group. The Arizona-based teen philanthropy mogul, who leads fellow teens in changing the lives of other teens in other countries including Haiti, took time out from his busy non-profit executive schedule to tell us about Teen2Teen Rise.

How did you come up with the idea for Teen2Teen Rise?
I came up with Teen2Teen while watching news coverage of disasters such as those in Haiti, Chile etc. I noticed a pattern of care and concern directed primarily at women and children. I understand and agree that they are the most vulnerable. However, the disconcerting part was that teens, which can also be a vulnerable group, were never mentioned. It was as if we did not exist. When my mother started her foundation and started going to Haiti we saw the same thing. She would come back full of tales of the “cute kids” but never mentioned the teens. When I asked her about the discrepancy she admitted that it was really not something that she thought of. So I decided that as a teen I needed to take action.

Have you been to Haiti?
Although my family is Haitian, I have yet to go to Haiti. My first trip is planned for June of this year. My goal for that trip is to hold a one week sports and peer counseling camp at Ile-a-Vache.

Do you have any plans and dreams for Haiti in the future?
My goal is that Haiti is fully rebuilt after the damage done by the earthquake, and that its economy becomes strong and self-sufficient. I would like to see teens finish school, go to university and be able to find jobs and stay on the island as adults and make it stronger.

Do you think that some kids your age take some things for granted?
Yes I feel that most kids my age do take many things for granted, including myself. Living in the United States, many are sheltered from the difficult things that happen around the world in places not as fortunate.

What has Teen 2 Teen Rise accomplished so far?
Teen2 teen got off to a great start. We launched the organization at a fundraiser for Phoenix Rising for Haiti and as our first project, we went to a half-way home in Phoenix AZ called Family Promise and had a fun day themed Make your Own Masterpiece. The event was the brain child of one of our youngest Regional Envoys, Cedric. Next, we went to an orphanage in Mexico and did electronics drive for the teens. It was fantastic. We had plenty of other fantastic people from our church bring clothing. But the teens were so happy to get true teens stuff such as MP3, video games etc. One of our Regional Envoys Danni Pietz is working diligently to set up a peer group in CA. The goal is to be a positive influence to teens in high risk areas. We are working on a partnership with another group in order to cover a wider area. We are also raising money for scholarships to sponsor students at some of the schools in Haiti and have many other short term and long term plans to really make a difference in the lives of teens affected by disaster and poverty.

Maelle David! Remember that name, folks! Haiti’s Olympics team got cited as one of the Olympics Opening Ceremony’s Top 3 Best Dressed by a Yahoo style writer. Maelle Figaro David is the fashion designer behind the team’s much-discussed style.

Here are some things you should know about her.

1. Maelle David was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti and currently operates out of Petionville.

Above: Team Haiti at Rio, sporting the get-ups created by Maelle Figaro David. Photo Credit: AFP

2. The designer is a graduate of Centre D’etudes Secondaires, a school based in Haiti.

3. She previously dressed former beauty queen Anedie Azael for the Miss Haiti Universe pageant. David designed a traditional costume for the one-time-Miss-turned-entrepreneur.

4. David initially launched her company Maelle David Creations in the late 1990s, and celebrated her 17th year in the fashion design business this past February.

5. She designed a line of clothes for curvy women that she exhibited at Runway Haiti, Haiti Fashion Week, and Islands of the World Fashion Week.

We’re sure that having a spotlight on her for such a global event will bring this designer even more business and notoriety.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE OF THIS DESIGNER’S WORK!

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT OTHER FIGURES EMERGING OUT OF HAITI!

Have you been wanting to accomplish a particular goal, but find yourself feeling unmotivated, stalling, or just plain procrastinating? May Kayla Ferdinand serve as the inspiration you need to get moving! She is the author of Dancing Robot Adventures, a children’s book she published earlier this year.

The first-time author—who turns 10 next month—says she loves music, art, fashion, nature, writing and reading. She’s as girly as any girl—she loves pink and she loves technology.

The very accomplished native of Florida—born to Haitian parents—also runs her own website Planet Kids Club, a web portal for kids in her age group.

Kreyolicious: How did you get interested in writing a book?

It all started when I was six years old and I just had a passion for writing at this age. Every single day, I would write small stories and the characters always ended living happily ever after. The more I grew up was, the more my stories expanded. When I turned eight, I found out one of the things I wanted to do with my life and that was writing books.

Kreyolicious: Wow. What grade are you going to?

I am going to fifth grade and I am very excited for the new experiences of learning new things and meeting new classmates.

Kreyolicious: How does it feel to be a published author?

It feels like I could do anything in life when I just focus and believe in myself and so can young readers—and of course—adults too. I mean any age group because to me there is no such word as impossible.

Kreyolicious: Let’s talk about your book. How did you get the idea for it?

It all happened in Second grade when my teacher assigned the class to do a writing project. She said that we had to write about an adventure with a main character and some other background characters. So, I chose to make the story about a robot named Nichole The Dancing Robot. The original version of the book before I made the background characters was about a robot named Sammy and the inventor was named Nichole, but then I realized that I wanted the robot to be a girl so I just switched it up.

Kreyolicious: How cool. And I hear you have a website. I would love to hear more about it.

Yes I do, and its called Planetkidsclub.com. On the website, we talk about developing self-confidence, cleaning the communities with the No Litter-No Harm program, and different topics such as Haiti and family. I just wrote a post about the meaning of Father’s Day. I would like to do more with the site—so mom and I are always thinking of new topics to make it interesting.

Kreyolicious: You’re quite busy for a nine-year old. What do you like to do when you’re not writing books and running your website?

I like to do what normal kids do—like watching TV, playing with my little brothers, or reading a book. I also like to draw or play games on my Ipad.

Kreyolicious: What would you say to a first or second grader who wants to write a book?

I have three words for you, Go For It! What I mean by that is to follow what your heart wants and your biggest passion in life. You may be too young to know what’s going to be your passion in life, but since I found what I can do then—so can you. You just have to focus, put your mind to it, listen—then follow it.

Kreyolicious: What’s next for you?

I am starting to work on my next series for my book. I want to write as many series as I can. At the same time, I’m learning new skills such as ballet and playing the piano.

Visit Kayla’s Website By Clicking Here | Click Here To Buy Her Book |

What drives someone to become a fashion designer at the age of nineteen? That’s the question burning in your mind right now, and what prompted you to read this article.

Above: Louca Bell (in gold-copper dress) backstage at a fashion show.

Well, for Miami-based designer Louca Bell, it’s love and a burning passion for the craft. At fifteen, she was taking sewing classes at school, and from there she gained some headway by participating at various fashion shows. “Now I’m focusing on growing my business as a brand and creating new pieces for my next collection,” she tells me.

Her latest collection is a combination of attitude and charm.

Kreyolicious: When did you realize that fashion design was your true path?
Well, I’ve always been creative in that aspect. For me, it wasn’t about “realizing it” but more accepting myself as an artist, and making the decision to commit to designing as a full-time career.

Kreyolicious: There’s a story behind every name. What’s the story behind your brand?
Since my brand is a reflection of me—Louca Bell is constantly evolving. When I grow as a person and as a woman, my brand flourishes with me. It begins where I begin.

Kreyolicious: When you first started were there times when you felt like, “Maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Let me leave this alone?” How did you handle and overcome such times?
Not only when I first started—I still struggle with that from time to time. But, I remind myself that I am doing what I love for a living, and I can’t give up on myself. This path is the path I chose. Therefore, I have to keep going no matter what obstacles get in my way.

Kreyolicious: What would you say out there to those who want to become entrepreneurs, but who are afraid of failure, harsh criticism and skepticism from family, and even the fear of wasting time and money?
I would say, as long as you believe in what you’re doing and you focus on your goals nothing should get in your way not friends, family or negative comments if you keep applying and developing whatever it may be that you are working on everything and everyone will fall into place. You shouldn’t be afraid to fail, its part of the experience you just have to learn from your mistakes to not repeat them that’s more knowledge to you. As for criticism you have to remember there’s always going to people out there with negative opinions but still take them into consideration and see if they apply to you because sometimes criticism can be constructive.

Kreyolicious: Who has influenced you the most?
My sister without a doubt! Her work ethic is amazing and watching her has taught me how to be extremely diligent in what I do. Because of who she is, she’s surrounded herself with like minded people and in return I have been able to do the same. Being around artists who understand my creative language allows me to grow as a designer and business woman. Sounds cliché, but surrounding yourself with people who are into the same things as you are, does wonders for your career.

Kreyolicious: what are some of your proudest career moments?
I think my proudest career moment would have to be when I had my first solo show in November of [last year]. I can definitely say that putting on a production is no easy task and is nothing but hard work, but I had a good team behind me. The show came out great, so all the sweat and dedication was worth it. My second proudest career moment was [this past] March. I had a show at the Marriott hotel in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Not only was I proud to have had the opportunity to collaborate with other amazing artists out of Haiti, but it was also the first time my parents came to see one of my shows. It was an exciting moment for me because they finally got a chance to actually see what I do for a living, and they had nothing but positive feedback.

Kreyolicious: Take me behind-the-scenes of your creative process and how you go about creating a piece.
The first step to any creative process is inspiration. For any piece that I am making, I have to find something that inspires it, which can either be influenced by African fashion, a friends sense of style, anything I might have seen on the streets or social media. Then we hit the fabric store to find the perfect material that’s fitting to my image. After that, I cut and stitch pieces together to bring that piece to life, and hope it fulfills the purpose it was created for.

Kreyolicious: Where do hope to take Louca Bell?
I would love for Louca Bell to grow into a successful business and a brand of clothing that everyone can feel comfortable and stylish wearing. I also hope to open an atelier somewhere in Haiti to produce all my material. I would really love for all the pieces to be made in my home country.

The fact that Joanna Petit-Frere is also a fashion photographer distinguishes her from many other celebrity makeup artists in the entertainment industry. She’s able to use her skills as a photographer, and her knowledge of light and exposure to help her celebrity and non-celebrity clients create the ideal look.

Celebrities like Elle Varner, Cecily Tyson, Blair Underwood, Kenny Latimore, Angela Simmons (among hordes of others) have all had their faces done by her. Tyson’s spectacular makeup in the award-winning film A Trip to Bountiful was also done by Joanna.

Above: The result of the makeup work that Joanna Petit-Frere did on the face and hair of actress Cicely Tyson for the film A Trip to Bountiful.

The Boston resident and Massachusetts College of Art graduate has earned two honors for her dual talents. She won a Best Makeup Artist trophy at the Boston Fashion Awards and was selected as Best Photographer of The Year
 at the Boston FAB Awards.

Above: Joanna Petit-Frere works on Nancy V. Brown.

Check out the L’Oreal tutorial below made by Joanna herself.

Be sure to also watch this segment of “Style It Up” in which this kreyolicious makeup artist gives some makeup tips, and talks about her work as photographer. She busts the popular myth that a woman must wear the same color makeup as her clothes. She also discusses makeup and style trends.

Joanna has worked with so many brands, including L’Oreal, Christian Dior and her fashion, makeup and artistry work has been featured all over, including VibeViven and RollingOut. By the way, this Boston resident and Haitian-American is the founder of Visage 1 Studios, her own firm.

Hope you enjoyed meeting Joanna Petit-Frere. This is your favorite chick Kreyolicious signing off.

BE SURE TO VISIT JOHANNA PETIT-FRERE’S WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE!

CLICK HERE TO READ OTHER FASHION AND BEAUTY POSTS!