Can Haiti’s tourism get its groove back? For Dina Simon of My Haiti Travels (MHT Global, LLC), that is the goal, and she won’t relent until Haiti’s tourism gets its groove back, and gets it back again and again. She’s among many entrepreneurs who are recognizing the need to revitalize Haiti’s tourism industry and are using their business acumen to lend a capable hand in increasing the flow of tourists to the country.

Simon’s firm, which she founded in 2012, was conceptualized with the sole intention of drawing pleasure-seeking tourists and well as luxury travelers to Haiti.

Born in Haiti, the entrepreneur immigrated to the United States when she was nine years old, settling in Brooklyn with her family, before moving on up to Long Island during her high school years. Very much goal-oriented throughout her life, she enrolled in college and earned her Bachelor’s degree, and eventually a Master’s, landing herself a plump position at a New York city agency as a public servant.

The Senior Manager roles she has held really prepared Simon for the mechanics of successfully running her own company. My Haiti Travels is fresh off one of its first excursion to Haiti—the Impact Week Haiti tour—in which Simon guided more than a dozens to breathtaking sites all over Haiti. It was important to her that these tourists saw Haiti in a new light—a positive light, and to make them repeat visitors of Haiti’s destinations. The My Haiti Travels tour took the travelers, ranging from executives to a preteen to hotspots in Port-au-Prince.

Simon goes all out in promoting Haiti as well as her company, hiring Daphne Leroy, of DML Media Group, to vigorously publicize her venture, and her objectives. My Haiti Travels has a strong and consistent presence on social media networks.

Simon has launched a newsletter which has a subscriber count of 600 and counting. When she’s not hard at work brainstorming new ways to usher tourists to Haiti and sell Haiti’s countless charms to them, Simon is busily drawing up proposals for new business partnerships that are designed to propel My Haiti Travels Global ahead in the Haiti traveling game.

Q & A

How would you sum up your company?
My company is a boutique concierge firm that coordinates high-quality travel services to Haiti for leisure and business purposes. Our representatives liaise with hotel and resort establishments, restaurants, and professional tour guides to provide unique experiences tailored to each client’s specific needs, lifestyle, and budget. At My Haiti Travels, we believe the best way to support Haiti is to visit, support local businesses, and give back directly to the people in need through volunteerism. Our goal is for all friends of Haiti to truly experience and enjoy the real Ayiti and all its glory.

How did the idea for your company come about?
The idea for My Haiti Travels was formed after organizing a trip to Haiti for a couple of friends. I could not find a reliable source that provided me information on where to stay, where to eat and what to do; when I did find information it was outdated. I had been to Haiti months prior and knew there were restaurants, bars, resorts, beautiful beaches, spas, and even a hookah bar. I was shocked that those things were not prominently showcased anywhere. Once I was able to secure the right services while in Haiti, my friends and I had the best experience ever.

When I came back to New York, I envisioned creating a service that had a directory of places in Haiti, but with reviews and ratings, similar to Yelp. I wanted people to have information and to help them make informed decisions about where to spend their money. At My Haiti Travels, we believe that if you frequent an establishment and spend your money you should get good service—even in Haiti. Businesses survive because of their customers.

Another vision we had for My Haiti Travels was to make it easy for you to travel to Haiti. A lot of people we spoke to didn’t visit Haiti because they didn’t know where to start, where to stay or where to eat. Haiti is a foreign place to many of us. At My Haiti Travels, you tell us how you want to spend your time and we’ll arrange it. We work with your budget, and build your itinerary on what works for you; after all it is your time.

What sort of challenges do you encounter in running your firm?
The biggest challenge in running my firm is balancing time. I have a full-time day job so there’s never enough time in the day to accomplish everything with my business. Since we’re a start-up, there is not a big budget to hire staff so we rely on volunteers. Without a dedicated staff at the end of the day all the balls drop in my court. Hopefully that will change soon but until then it’s a constant sacrifice—late nights and weekends, less time with family and friends but in the long run it will be worth it.

Now, in terms of running a travel and tourism agency targeted towards a country that’s stigmatized and that’s been portrayed negatively in the media—-how do you handle that?
We have to tell Haiti’s story, past, present and future. We’re all very much aware of Haiti’s challenges. I don’t think any one of us can ever deny them. However, the time has come for us to take a different path and do something new. Our President Michel Martelly has said “Haiti is too rich to be poor,” and he’s right. I’m not just talking about material wealth. I’m talking about things you can’t put a price on.

I also think we as a people need to do a better job about the image we present to others about Haiti. When I meet people and I tell them about Haiti and they see my pictures they are surprised. Most of them tell me their perception of Haiti is from Haitian-Americans who have never visited or it’s been decades since they’ve been to Haiti.

Since the perception of Haiti is one of my biggest challenges, My Haiti Travels constantly educates people by showing the different sides of Haiti. Through our newsletter titled “See Haiti Through Our Eyes,” we try to change perception by focusing on the positive, but not ignoring the struggle. We believe that people should visit Haiti themselves before they form an opinion.

Haiti’s tourism boom peaked in the 40s, then the 1950s, then in the 1970s and 1980s. Do you think it will regain its footing in the tourism industry?
Absolutely, Haiti is currently in the process of a tourism boom. There’s a lot of building, plans for hotels and restaurants, training for the tourism sector, and investment in infrastructure. A lot of people are organizing tours to Haiti. There’s adventure travel, volunteer travel, and there’s a combination of both.

Simon poses with her traveling clients. Photo: Sebastian Narcisse, My Haiti Travels

The first five-star hotel was inaugurated in Haiti about [in December] and there’s encouraging news about the tourism sector. I believe travelers are looking for a different type of vacation as the days where people are confined to a resort are gone. Haiti offers a mixture for people who want adventure, authenticity, and want to discover culture and history.

If you were counseling aspiring entrepreneurs, what would you tell them about your journey?
I would advise them to have a plan and to be flexible. You must be willing to adjust your plan based on internal and external factors. I would advise aspiring entrepreneurs to align themselves with people who share and support their vision. Until you have the support from someone who believes in what you’re doing, it’s hard to get off the ground. You need someone who’s willing to get in the trenches with you, sees your vision and can serve as an advocate for you.

Finally, I would say believe in it. If you don’t believe in it, no one else will. When I talk to people about Haiti, they tell me they see my passion for Haiti. The thing is I’m only telling my story, my experiences. Once you believe in it, it’s easy for someone else to do the same.

Throughout this journey, my proudest moment has been booking two people who have not been back to Haiti in over 30 years. I cannot wait to capture the moment they step off the plane, as they get re-introduced to their country. That’s what My Haiti Travels is about, that’s our vision – “See Haiti Through Our Eyes.”

Any last words?
Kat, thank you for giving me this opportunity. From the beginning of this journey, you have been a major inspiration for me. Thank you for all your tips, and for educating me about Haiti through Kreyolicious Magazine. What you are doing is necessary for us as a people, a culture, and a country. Please continue to educate us on all things Haiti. Thank you to all who believed in the My Haiti Travels vision for Impact Week Haiti 2013, including our media partners BelTiFi, Kiskeacity, Manman Pemba, Haitian-AllStarz, Haiti 1 Stop, HaitiXChange, Radio Soleil, and the Stewardship Report. There are a lot of amazing entrepreneurs and organizations supporting Haiti daily via diverse platforms, so let’s continue to support them. Haiti needs us. We can’t do it alone. We owe it to each other. We owe it to those who came before us. We owe it to Ayiti. L’union fait la force.

Talk about being at the right place at the right time! At the age of eighteen, Hencha Voigt left her home in Haiti to go attend college at St. John’s University in New York City. Who should spot her on her first night out in the city of lights and high towers, but a talent scout from the street wear clothing line FUBU! The Miami resident has been modeling ever since, showing off her unique look in music videos, commercials, and at club events.

Hencha Voigt lives to be Hencha Voigt. She’s a combination of attitude, spunk and, well, confidence. She’s like one of those popular girls you knew when you were in high school—the type who walked with a shrugging, overly confident air. The type who was whispered and gossiped about, but whose caravan could not be stopped.

Ms. Voigt discussed expanding her brand with Kreyolicious.com.

Your first name is pretty unique.

Yes, it is. It’s my father’s name backwards. His name is Charles-Henry, so he took the “Hen” from Henry and the “Cha” from Charles.

Do you always strive to stand out in life?

Everywhere I go, I’m always the sun of the venue. I stand out not only in looks, but in personality. I always make sure to leave a great impression and stamp my mark on that person’s memory.

Do you sometimes feel pressure to maintain a certain weight, or look a certain way?

Yes, because in this industry it’s all about having the best body and maintaining it. If not, the next younger, pretty girl with the fit, nice or curvaceous body will take your spot—quick.

You come across as someone who has a grip on her own style—who doesn’t adhere to trends. What fashion tips do you have to offer to girls out there?

I’m actually a trend-setter. I love fashion in every sense. My way of dressing varies, because I always switch it up. Rihanna is my fashion icon, so I feel I always have to keep up with her. She knows what’s in and hot!

If you’re down to your last dollars in your fashion budget for the month, what do you tend to invest in…accessories, hair or makeup…or clothes?I invest in hair, because I’m obsessed with weave and my hair always being on point! When my hair is done, I feel so brand-new and invincible.

How does Hencha Voigt define beauty?

I define beauty by first having a good heart inside and out, which is being a good person. Second, having a bomb ass personality, meaning you are your own person—kind, outgoing and original. Third is having a good body, which anyone can obtain if they eat healthy and stay in the gym. And last is the superficial part—which is a pretty face and how you carry yourself as a person and lady—meaning your hair, nails, make-up—if you like. Always looking clean and nicely done.

Do you feel beautiful?

I feel blissfully gorgeous. [Laughter] That’s more than beautiful!

From Young Berg, to DJ Khaled, Meek Mill and Rick Ross, you’ve played the lead and the feature model in several hip-hop videos. There are very few rappers who have not been chastised for the portrayal of women in their videos. Do you have a certain criteria in terms of what you will do or won’t do? Do you examine a song’s lyrics for example, before deciding to take part in the video version of the song?

First, I don’t do usually do videos if I’m not cast [as the] lead or feature [model]. There’s no point of being in it if that’s the case. Me being in videos helped put my name out there in the industry. Yes, I feel some type of way about video models being called “video hoes” or such sort of disturbing names, because I know my worth and I am way far from being that. It’s a job to me—just like some people get out of bed and go to their 9 to 5 job every day. This is how I eat and I also struggle to make ends meet. We all got to eat. Not all video models think like me; a lot of them do misbehave and act non-lady-like, and that’s where the stereotype is coming from. But like I said, I will stand for all the models like me. Not all of us have a bad image. People need to quit with that crazy, stereotyping issue.

What would you say are some of the pitfalls in the modeling business?

You have to be a really strong woman to survive in this business, because you will get f__ over multiple times—just because you are a pretty face. People will f___ with your money and it’s a 50/50 percent chance that you’ll always get booked because there is always somebody new and popping coming up in this game. So to always stay on top, I’m always on point—never slacking. I’m very diverse; I don’t only do videos. I’m a published commercial model, a fitness model, a host and an actress. Hollywood will soon be hearing my name.

If you could give the Hencha of say, three to five years ago, some advice, what would you tell her?

I would say to go mainstream and to stay away from urban modeling because there is more money and work in mainstream.

The classic movie actress Susan Hayward, who started off as a model was quoted as having said: “You aim at all the things you have been told that stardom means–the rich life, the applause, the parties cluttered with celebrities. Then you find that you have it all. And it is nothing, really nothing. It is like a drug that lasts just a few hours, a sleeping pill. When it wears off, you have to live without its help.” What are your thoughts on this?

This is the realest thing I’ve ever heard. She said it the way it is. The dream really stops at the door—in other words. It’s almost like a fake dream and lifestyle and if you don’t wake up from it, you might ruin your life forever. You got to maneuver quick and know what your next move is—or you’ll fail.

Are you opposed to doing reality TV?

That is definitely on my bucket list.

When you sit there and consider all of your accomplishments in life, which gives you the biggest source of pride?

I have accomplished a lot, but I am not even close to what I [want] to accomplish, so I can’t even [rank my accomplishments] yet. You’ll just have to put that question on pause and wait. [Laughter].

Photo Credit: True Colors Digital

What have you learned about friendship so far in life?

You really have no friends in life, but your family. Friends are always envious and jealous. They slow you down and always want a piece of the pie you worked hard for without even giving ten percent of themselves in it.

You participated at the Miss Haiti International pageant last year, in Paris France. How did you like that experience?

It was amazing—the best experience by far, and I don’t regret anything about it…First time I’ve ever been to Paris and [all] I can say is [it’s] an amazing city. It was a great experience and opportunity. I made a lot of cool friends and visited an amazing country I had never been to. If I had to redo it again, I would and actually become Miss Haiti Universe next time. I didn’t take it so seriously; it was mostly fun to me. I know exactly what it takes to be any Miss now. I cried and laughed through the whole pageant; it wasn’t easy at all. I salute any Miss that has made it to the Number One spot because representing your country and nation as a young woman is very prestigious and difficult.

Are you and your parents close?

Yes, I love my mother and father. They are the best, they love me for me and never doubted me.

Are they proud of you?

They are my Number One fans and always have my back—no matter what!

What are your thoughts on natural hair versus chemically processed hair?

My thought on hair period, is do what makes you look good in the most natural way possible. Don’t go overboard, but be unique. If you’re going to wear you’re natural hair, rock it! If you’re going to wear weave, rock it! They all look amazing. I look good both ways and love them both!

Your fans follow your every move, and hang on to your every postings on social media. Some, it seems, even live vicariously through you. Where do you think all that fascination stems from?

It’s because I set my own trends and never care about critics or opinions. I live my life freely and live for myself. I make myself happy. I don’t care about society, rules and laws. They see it so they live carelessly free through me. I’m the realest it gets. [Smiles and winks]

Were you always that way? As in, did you always have that don’t-care-what-they-say attitude or is it something that developed as a result of an experience or string of experiences. I think for some of us out there, who do care what others think, wonder all the times about people who don’t care about what others think, and wonder how they got that way.

Yes, I was always that way. When you are the center of attention everywhere you go growing up—up ’til now, people talk and most of the talk is negative. I can care less about negative talk, because they don’t pay my bills or help me with my dreams. Any kind of talk to me is good, because I stay relevant and never die. Something like a legend. People wish they can walk a mile in my shoes because I’ve seen been done things they will never live to do or see.

It seems to some of your fans that the past year has brought a mellower Hencha Voigt. To what can this slight change of direction be attributed to?

Yeah, because life and its experiences mature you. I can’t stay wild and crazy forever; life has a way of taming its horses…I was the wild horse in this case. Traveling the world and meeting different people, and going to top official business meetings turned me into a business woman, and in business you have to keep the crazy out the door. I guess we live and we learn.

Do you have a favorite designer?

No. I love fashion broadly. I mix and match designers. If it’s dope—and in my taste—I’ll rock it—no matter the designer or the price.

You attended St. John’s University. Do you ever think about going back to school?

Yes, I do! I actually was thinking about that today! I am going back for forensic science. I love those crime shows! They influenced me to go back.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?

I go every month. My father always owned an airline. If you guys go to Haiti, go on HaitiAviation. Best experience ever!

Do you have any regrets?

Never have regrets; always a lesson!

A great number of models widen their brands. What are your plans in that arena?

I’m planning on being on the big screen. Acting is in my favor right now, because I’ve met many big name directors and they’ve proposed it to me many times. I’m actually in acting school right now. I’m tryna be the next Kim K: on screen, with my own clothing line, show, perfume etc. I’m on my way to the top!

So, you’re interested in widening your brand. If you were writing a book right now, and if you were basing it on a particular principle, what principle would it be?

It would be about society, especially the Haitian society. And the dos and donts. Who is society to tell you what is right or wrong! I would write a book about my life and how I did whatever the f__ I wanted and succeeded off of that.

Connect with Ms. Voigt on Twitter @HenyVBaby and follow her on Instagram

[Photo Credit: C. Varela (Flapper Boudoir photos); Beach shot: James Cossna Photography; motorcycle pic via Instagram]

The comedian who fans know as Sejoe is a native Brooklynite who was raised in Haiti. Sejoe moved back to the USA in the early 2000s to finish high school. Surprisingly, the humor man’s first career track was medicine; he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with double minors in French and Chemistry. With medical school looking less and less likely in his future, the Florida State University grad searched online for humor videos in Creole to uplift his spirits. “To my surprise,” he recalls, “there were none. So I started my own.”

His own…as in fun-filled, laughter-inducing comedy videos featuring Creglish, his blend of Creole and English. Sejoe’s Youtube channel “The Sejoe Show” has over 1.4 million views, and nearly 5,000 subscribers look forward to each new videos. His career as a comedian has brought him to Canada to college campuses in Gainesville and Tampa. And oh, he also works as a model, and his plump modeling assignments are no joke.

A lot of comedians start off as class clown. Were you one of those?

I was most definitely the class clown. I was always in trouble because I was constantly telling jokes and talking. But what kept me from being kicked out of school—I attended the prestigious St. Louis De Gonzague private school in Haiti—was the fact that I was always first academically in my class. When my friends from Haiti see what I’ve been up to, they understand it and always tell me that they are not surprised with my direction.

Who are you all-time favorite comedians?

My favorite comedians are Dave Chappelle and Paul Mooney. I enjoy comedians who incorporate politics and through their craft educate their audience. Some people are just not interested in politics but when it is expressed in a humorous fashion, they normally don’t even notice they’ve been taught something. And that knowledge, because it was funny, ends up sticking with them. My intention has always been to make my people laugh while educating them and the rest of the world.

When is a joke not funny?

Delivery is everything! The joke may be hilarious, but if the comedian cannot execute it the right way, it will not be funny.

Do you think that even with stand-up comedy, there is a structure of sorts?

Yes, you have to know your audience and you have to have a plan of attack in knowing exactly what jokes to kill them with. If you are performing to an audience of 65 years old and up, you can’t talk about Wacka Flocka because that is not their generation of interest.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?

My last visit to Haiti was in December of [last year] for a week. I decided to spend my Christmas break there.

How do your parents feel about the fact that you’re a comedian.

If anyone knows traditional Haitians, they will understand that most Haitians consider three professions as careers: doctor, lawyer and engineer. I earned a degree in biology because I was practically forced by my mother who wanted me to be a doctor. When I told her that I wasn’t going to medical school, she cried her eyes out as if I just revealed to her I was dying of cancer! She threw her hands up in the air and asked God what she did wrong and why He was punishing her! Since I’ve been committed to my dream for five years now, she has accepted my cause even though she doesn’t necessarily agree. But I can’t blame her: she is from a generation that is built on security. Following your dream is always a gamble.

What would you say has been your most memorable performance in terms of your career as a comedian?

I would have to say when I performed in 2010 in St. Maarten. It was eye opening, shocking and amazing to connect with people there who knew who I was! It put a lot of things into perspective for me. Children, who appeared to be 10 years old, were reciting my jokes and telling me that I inspire them. It’s the greatest compliment I could ever get.

I think a lot of people would like to cut their teeth in comedy. How would you suggest they get their start?

Find out if you’re funny: just go out there and do it! You can’t learn to be funny–you either have it or you don’t. And trust me, the crowd will tell you. But also, believe in yourself. Be your biggest cheerleader and if one crowd boos you, move on to the next.

What’s next for you?

I am always working on something but I enjoy surprising the people. What I can tell you is this: I am committed to making Haitians and Haitian-Americans laugh while educating and uplifting. I will be involved in high quality projects that will provide Haiti with a positive global platform.

Check out Sejoe’s YOUTUBE Channel| Sejoe’s Website

Sassy Singz has got some smokey vocals. Want to know how smokey? When she sings her song “Control”, she brings to mind records by 1990s and early 2000s R&B artists and groups like Sparkle, Mokensteph, Xscape, Monica, and Kelly Price.

Sassy Singz, however, appears to have some major edge to her, judging from her flashy mohawk and intricate zig-zag hair designs. The singer-songwriter is all about her music, but she isn’t about to neglect the visual appeal part.

She’s what an observer would call an organic singer. During a stop at Atlanta Web Radio, at the prodding of her interviewer, Sassy starts to belt out some of the verses of the Shirley Murdock classic “As We Lay”, and kills it. Her a capella delivery makes you wish this was a full cover, as opposed to her just singing some snippets.

“What Do I Do?” one of her self-written songs tells the story of a distraught woman who’s on the verge of a breakdown over a dysfunctional relationship. She’s a victim of verbal abuse, and she’s come to realize that the man she loves is out to hurt her, but can she forget all the great moments? The song features the dynamic rhymes of rapper Jimmy Dade.

The singer-songwriter has opened up for Trina and Marsha Ambrosius. But one day, look for her as the headliner.

Lots of singers had their beginning in church, was that the case with you?

In all honesty, that is the way I started literally. I’m not one of those singers who have been singing since five, and always knew she’d be a star. [Laughter] My story is quite the opposite. The first time I ever sang in front of an audience live, was at church and that was in my early twenties. I was terrified.

And how did you manage to calm down your nerves?

[Laughter] I prayed. Before every performance, I pray.

Who was the first person who made you realize that you could sing?

I always knew I could hold a note but it wasn’t until my a friend of my boyfriend (at the time) asked me to join the worship team, did I realize I could sing. I never really thought much about being an artist honestly but the church members would encourage me all the time [Laughter]. So I took a step of faith and here I am.

The artist  Michael Jackson always professed to admire Stevie Wonder and Jackie Wilson. Which artists have personally inspired you?

I have so many artists that I look up to but I must admit Mary J. Blige has been my biggest influence. I always loved her unique ability to transform a hip hop beat to a love song. If I had to describe my sound, I would say it’s a clash of Mary J. Blige and Chaka Khan. I study all genres for inspiration but R&B is where my passion lies. Faith Evans, Missy Elliott, Patti Labelle are a few that inspire me and my music.

Have you ever hurt your vocals?

Oh yes, I have. But, thankfully not permanently. I’ve never had a vocal lesson before so in the beginning I didn’t know how to sing properly without hurting my vocals. But I taught myself—YouTube—[Laughter]. And now, I work hard to avoid that happening again.

That’s great…What are your parents’ thoughts regarding your musical career?

My mother passed when I was four and my father passed in 2012. Prior to my father’s passing, I told him about my music endeavors and he didn’t believe me at first [Laughter]. I performed at Barry University once—think it was 2011—and I invited him to see me perform. He was soooo proud! It’s a memory I hold dear because it was the first and last time he saw me perform. He would take my CDs to Haiti and pass them out for me. He called the family to tell them, “Non, nou gen atis! [We’ve got artists]” [Laughter]. I miss him.

So sorry that you have lost both of your parents. Now, in terms of performances you’ve had thus far, which has been the most memorable, in terms of how personally satisfied you were regarding your performance?

The most memorable performance for me was a concert I recently did with Bank of America. Bank of America 36th Annual Starlight Musicals. I had such an amazing time! It was a 3 hour event with only me as the entertainer and live band. The crowd participation is what made the event so memorable. It was aOn outdoor event at a park but the crowd and I were having such a good time I almost forgot we were outside and not at a club lol. It’s one thing to sing to people, it’s a whole other thing when they participate and jam with you. Loved it!

When was the last time you went to Haiti?

My last trip to Haiti was in 2012. Sadly, it would be the last time I saw my father alive. He suffered a stroke while working in the fields. I am a Registered Nurse, so I flew in to tend to him for about a week before he passed.

What are we to expect from you musically in times to come? That voice of course, but in terms of an album, what…and when?

I’[ve] re-released my last EP, The Revival: R&B Is Not Dead (Remastered). I will also be releasing my new music video for my current single “Control”. “Control” is #6 on the National Airplay Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop charts so you can expect a whole new album in 2015!

[Photographer Credit: Aman Lexidor ]

Control – SassySingz (Official Music Video) from SassySingz on Vimeo.

CLICK HERE to visit the Sassy Singz Vimeo Channel|

Welcome to another episode of Kreyolicious Music…in which I review Haitian Music. Yay! Today, we’re going to be covering the Harmonik Degaje album. If you missed PART ONE of the review, CLICK HERE!

So, le’s move on to other songs…

Is “Simplicité” a female version of the band’s song “Diferan”? In the song “Diferan”, the guy was the “simple” one…in “Simplicité (Simplicity), the song is about a plain-Ti Marie-type of girl that’s caught the eye of the narrator. Her modesty is very attractive to him. He doesn’t exactly pin her down as an ugly duckling, but she definitely attracts him in a non-traditional way. The lyrics of this song are “simple”, as the arrangements and hook on “Incroyable” are incredible.

So, while I was listening to Degaje, it switched over to a new song. For the first two seconds I thought, “Man, what’s this song? It’s going to beat “Incroyable”, only to switch the windows and see that it was just “Incroyable” playing again!

I wonder if “Imparfait” and “Enpotans” were written at the same time? They certainly are of the same theme. The first distinction that I could make out is that “Imparfait” is looking back at a failed romance. In “Enpotans”, the relationship in question is still in progress, and can be salvaged. Yes, there’s still hope of saving it, if only it’s recognized (in time) that not enpotans is being given to the wounded party in the relationship.

Great job all around on this album from the vocal work to the arrangements, to the poetry-filled lyrics. First off, there’s a lot of proposal songs out there, but how novel to have the dad being addressed, as opposed to the bride. And how sweet of this would-be groom to pay respect to pops! One imagines that he’s not only going to be a worthy husband, but also a great son-in-law, the type who’ll take his papi-in-law to doctors’ visits and Medicare appointments during his senior citizen years. Very mature material on this album.

This concludes PART TWO of the review of Harmonik Degaje. CLICK HERE to read PART ONE.

CLICK HERE to purchase the Harmonik Degaje album from on Amazon | CLICK HERE to buy the Harmonik Degaje album on CDBABY| Remember to leave this band and other Haitian bands four stars or better on iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby, as many music lovers and music enthusiasts looking to buy/try new music, look at these reviews before buying decisions!

Imagine my reaction upon learning about Ronald Agénor, while roaming the Internet. Agénor is one of the world’s biggest tennis champions. According to the book Blacks at the Net: Black Achievement in the History of Tennis, the now tennis-legend was the first known Haitian to win a gold medal at an international event when he won the men’s title at the 1982 edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games. That triumph was to be one of many in his career as a tennis athlete. The following year, he competed in the Port Washington Junior Championship after having reached the semi-finals at the Orange Bowl in Miami, and winning matches at the Monte Carlo Juniors and the famed Astrid Bowl in Belgium.

Agénor retired at 38, having turned into a millionaire over the years thanks to prizes he earned for his skills on the court—and after having had one of the longest careers as a tennis star. In the early 2000s, Agénor left France for the United States, and competed first at the Birmingham Finals, then at the French and U.S. Open. In the aforementioned book Blacks at the Net: Black Achievement in the History of Tennis author Sundiata Djata points out that Agénor’s rejection of French citizenship and his insistence on playing under the Haitian flag cost him a lot of career-furthering sponsorships from France, but that decision doesn’t really top the tennis legend’s regret list one bit.

Today, Agénor is the proud father of two daughters, and lives with his wife and proud supporter Tonya Williams in Los Angeles. He is not only a world class tennis champion, but also an activist (he is a member of Champions for Peace club) and remains loyal to the game, having founded the Ronald Agénor Tennis Academy in California. He also mentors up-and-coming stars in the world of tennis. Among them is Takangi Garangawa, a native of Zimbabwe who’s making major noise in the world of tennis. Beyond the court, the tennis champ has always loved music and actually plays the guitar. This year, he’s releasing Strings of My Life, an 11-song set of songs in English and French.

Here he is, reflecting on his life, career and tennis.

You were actually born in Morocco.
Yes, in Rabat in 1964. My parents, my three brothers and two sisters were all born in Haiti. My dad—Frédéric Agénor—moved from Haiti to Morocco as he was developing a project for the Moroccan government. In 1974, he became a diplomat at the United Nations and I spent another four years in the Congo before going to Bordeaux in 1978 where I lived for 19 years.
He was directing projects for the FAO—the Food Agriculture Organization—and became Minister of Agriculture in Haiti in 1989.

How did the love for the court develop in you?
In the Congo, I was going to school only in the morning and I got the opportunity to play tennis almost every afternoon. My older brother Lionel who became my coach and mentor was sending me the French tennis magazines and I was dreaming about competing against the best French players of my age. I was also looking up to Arthur Ashe and Bjorn Borg.

In your career as a tennis champion, is there one moment of triumph that you will always hold close to your heart?
Winning my first ATP World Tour Event was a great moment but winning the Gold Medal for Haiti at the Caribbean Games in Havana, Cuba in 1982 was something very special as well as winning my first ATP point in France in 1983 that gave me my first world ranking. Reaching the quarter finals at the Grand Slam of Roland Garros in Paris was was also very intense. <a

Roland Agénor in a candid moment.

Why did you choose to represent Haiti, though you had never really lived there?
It was not a choice but more of something that was natural as after winning the gold medal in Cuba in 1982, I became the sensation in Haiti as this feat was never achieved before I did it. Upon my return from Cuba, so many people were waiting for me at the airport and from there I represented Haiti during my nineteen-year career. I never really lived in Haiti, I would just go every year to spend the holidays with my family or train with my brother Lionel.

Looking back now, and knowing all you do now, are there certain things that you regret, or wish you had done differently?
I don’t regret anything. I would certainly do certain things differently today with the experience I have.

Did you encounter any racism over the course of your career?
I did from time to time in Europe and in America as well, but racism is a disease and if you look around today it keeps spreading around the world. All forms of racism should be eradicated.

Sports celebrities are often hounded by a lot of female fans, especially off the court. Was that the case with you?
I was no exception to the “rule”, but I always kept my head on my shoulders.

Did your father ever give you any advice on how to manage your career?
Sometimes I would not listen really and it makes me upset when I think about it today. He did have a great vision for me and always said that tennis was not the end, just a mean to getting somewhere else in life. When he was Minister of Agriculture in Haiti in 1989, I was named Honorary Consul of Haiti in Bordeaux. He always thought that I would be a great Diplomat for Haiti and do big things for the country when my tennis career was over, but the reality of Haiti caught up with me and I have not been able to do anything.

Agénor today with his family in a sit-down photo taken in Atlanta, Georgia.

You have two daughters Sascha Lourdes Agénor and Chloe Iman Agénor. If they showed interest in tennis, would you be willing to groom them to be like Althea Gibson, or Venus and Serena Williams?
Absolutely. Sascha is the oldest and will start to play some 10 and Under tournaments in 2013. They both have been playing consistently, but with me back traveling this year, it has slowed their progression down a bit. I will support them whether they want to pursue a professional tennis career or play for one of the top colleges and universities in America. If they don’t want to play tennis further down the road that is also not a problem.

You’re a member of the Champions for Peace club.
This is basically an organization based in Monaco and presided by SAS Prince Albert of Monaco II. The Champions for Peace club is composed by a few current and, or former world class athletes and they give their time or image to promote Peace through Sport around the world especially in countries that have been ravaged by war.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?
It was in 2009. Prior to that I came back in Haiti in 2008 for the first time since 1998, so almost 10 years. I started a project to build a tennis complex and set up a tennis academy for young Haitians so they could be well-prepared to compete in international events, but most importantly pursue tennis college scholarships in the USA. This was in collaboration with the Haitian government, but after a good start everything collapsed in 2009. It was a very big disappointment for me.

Is that something you still would like to pursue?
The tennis project I had for Haiti is not something I want to pursue at this present time, but who knows one day if the will is there from the rulers of sports in Haiti maybe I will pursue it again.

Not too long ago, I came across the story of this guy, a Jean-Claude Armand, who was Haiti’s outstanding tennis champion in the 1950s. Did you know about him?
I knew Jean-Claude, he was a great guy, a great athlete and he had an incredible passion for sports especially tennis and body building.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in life?
Don’t take anything for granted.

Haiti rapper Princess Eud signed a deal with music producer and record label mogul Steven Machat late last month. This deal, which also includes management representation, is viewed by many as the breakthrough the singer-rapper and fledgling fashion mogul was looking for to bring her career up to the next echelon. Here are five thoughts that I have on this deal.

1. So this is a record/distribution/management pact? So it is!

Steven Machat has quite a reputation in the music business world as an artist marketer, and as someone who has built, renovated many an artists’ careers. He’s worked with, among others, Bobby Brown and The Rolling Stones. He even wrote a music industry guide entitled Gods, Gangsters and Honor. It The fact that he’s been working in the music business since for over three decades, and has witnesses so many shifts and changes in the music industry makes him an asset to Princess Eud’s team.

An artist should worry mainly about music. Having Machat’s firm guide her will take quite a bit off her shoulders. He has had experience in managing world artists like Cameroon’s Manu Dibango, and will surely increase Princess Eud’s reach on the music market.

As far as this being a management and a record-deal…It’s my view that management and record label should be separate. Record/distribution label and artist management should not be carried out by the same entity.

Above: Princess Eud vibing in Port-au-Prince.

2. Princess Eud’s new deal is a sign of the times.

There’s this shift that’s been going on in books, movies and now music. I mean it’s not really a shift, as there is nothing new under the sun. But there is this attempt by the mainstream lately to draw artists, films, and books from small niche markets and give them wide appeal. In the cinema world, Disney’s release of Queen of Katwe, an underdog chess player story with Lupita Ny’ongo playing one of the leads. The story takes place in Uganda. In the literary world, there is the Diverse Books movement to portray characters of color. Books by African authors are no longer seen as token books or oh-yeah-let’s-take-a-chance-on-this-one books on publishers’ list, but as “lead books” for publisher’s prime titles list. And in music, record labels—both mainstream and independent—are signing artists who wouldn’t have been an afterthought even—years before. This would be either because they wouldn’t know how to market them, or they were convinced that they wouldn’t have mass appeal. But hey, it’s a new day, and thankfully unique artists like Princess Eud are savoring the fruit of this shift.

3. Princess Eud’s deal should serve as a reminder.
Yes, siree…a reminder to all artists and creatives no matter who they are, or where they are or what field they’re in…to be bold. Don’t be afraid of being original. And don’t sit there and wait for people to give things to you. The artist had been guiding herself, marketing herself and producing herself by herself all this time. She’s obviously well-known in her home country. Princess Eud’s story should be a reminder to everyone—regardless of their fields—how essential it is to put in the work, to take the creative shovel and dig, and build. We live in age where the record labels that are still in existence are looking for artists who’ve already built a platform and have a solid fan base—not someone who has to be built up from scratch. Do like Princess Eud, folks. Work, work, work creatives!

4. The work is done, but there’s more to be done.
Princess Eud ought to be marketed as a Pan-Caribbean, Pan-African Lauryn Hill, and the Machat team should book performances for her all over Africa and the Caribbean, not to mention Europe, where there is an increase number of multicultural families and demand for something different. She should be placed on the festival circuit in Asia. To my knowledge, other than mainstream acts, there doesn’t seem to be a great formal musical exchange between that continent and the Caribbean. Emphasis on the word “formal”.

While I am not privy to the explicit terms of this deal, I hope it includes Princess Eud licensing her songs to ancillary markets like motion pictures and gaming, and streaming shows.

Above: Princess Eud alongside her musical cohort Ded Kra-Z.

5. Let this deal be the doing and not the undoing of this artist.
What got this rapper noticed by Steven Machat’s organization was her down-to-earth image and empowering music. It’s crucial that these two traits remain part of the Princess Eud package. Of course, that isn’t to say that Princess Eud shouldn’t be a tidbit flexible when it comes to song choice and other aspects of production and image.

This deal will really widen her musical horizon, and with deals like this, it will afford her more opportunities to truly penetrate the world music market. And let’s not mention collaborations…especially with other female world artists (Zap Mama, Lira, and Lauryn Hill come to mind).

Oh…

And…

With new markets to be conquered, there’ll be new pressures, new temptations, and new challenges. What’s that saying? Oh yeah…what’s the point of conquering the whole world, but losing your soul in the process. May Princess Eud’s head continue to remain firm and tight on her shoulders, and may she never lose sight of the things that really matter.

Didn’t I tell you once that there was something about Princess Eud?

It’s total Eudomination. World get ready.

CLICK HERE TO READ OTHER ARTICLES ABOUT HAITI RAPPER PRINCESS EUD! #kreyolicious

Independent filmmaker Easmanie Michel is a woman who won’t sit still creatively. Her short film Minutes to Say Hi was recently screened at the Haiti Cultural Exchange Haiti Film Fest. The Harlem-based filmmaker has Caroline’s Wedding, another cinematic baby on the horizon. The feature is based on a short story written by Edwidge Danticat and Michel has already signed Vicky Jeudy of the Netflix series “Orange Is The New Black” as part of the cast. I took this time to discuss the film with the NYU grad, as well as the significance behind her handle on social media…Ugly Girls Can Rule The World.

Kreyolicious: If you had to do things over, would you have skipped college and just worked in the film industry?
I would not have skipped school because I think my studies in English literature, cinema theory and philosophy have given me a nuanced understanding about the topics I’ve wanted to address. I am intrigued with human consciousness, and my studies have enhanced my desire to explore, visually, the reasons people make certain choices in their lives. I have considered and encountered the more abstract textures of human experience through my studies.

Easmanie Michel having a squad moment with Edwidge Danticat, on whose short story her upcoming film “Caroline’s Wedding” is based on.

Kreyolicious: Your handle on social media is “Ugly Girls Can Rule the World.” Why that choice? And how come ugly girls run the world?
There is something about that handle that is appealing to me because it forces people to think about what is ugly and the nature of what is considered beauty in a cultural context. Some people are offended by the title and someone once told me it was “disingenuous.” And yet others understand that in some way there is power in reclaiming the word.

Perhaps if we change our relationship with it, it may also challenge aesthetic ideas of beauty. Our culture promotes an aesthetic point system that can often be demoralizing; there is an image of perfection that dominates our society. I feel this handle is “subversive,” in so far as it challenges that.

Kreyolicious: One of your next projects is Caroline’s Wedding with Vicky Jeudy. How is that coming along?
The project is coming along. Last year we participated in the Women at Sundance Financing and Strategy Intensive. We are still looking to capitalize the production through fundraising and investment.

I am looking to shoot the feature by the end of the year. We currently have a website where updates about the film can be found at www.carolinesweddingthefilm.com. Also, the project is fiscally sponsored by New York Women in Film and Television.

[Main Photo Credit: Tequila Minsky]

If you wish to make a tax-deductible donation to Caroline’s Wedding, the upcoming film from Easmanie Michel, you can do so by clicking here: