DOCTORS
DR. CLAUDE A. INNOCENT Successfully Represents Haiti Through Medical Practice
By Martine St. Hilaire
Claude A. Innocent, MD
Claude Alain Innocent, M.D. was born in New York but grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti most of his life. Dr. Innocent moved to the United States to complete his residency in internal medicine at Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester in New-Rochelle, New York with honors. He’s married and has two children, a son and a daughter. His wife is an occupational therapist, and both of his parents were in the medical field: his father was a dentist and his mother was a laboratory technician. He currently resides in Florida, where he has lived for 22 years. At the end of Dr. Innocent’s third year of postgraduate training, due to his outstanding track record as a resident he was selected to be the chief resident for an additional year. In August 2000, he took his board certification exam and was certified by the American Board of
Internal Medicine, and in 2012 by the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. His greatest achievement is successfully representing the Haitian community through a medical practice he co-owns with another Haitian doctor, Alande Brezault, M.D., in Miami called I and B Medical Associates (I&B). His other achievements include becoming the vice-chief of the medical staff and chairman of the credentialing committee at North Shore Medical Center. He’s also an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. I&B was established in 2002. Dr. Innocent and his medical team faced the same financial constraints most new businesses face – and a steep learning curve. They also had fierce competition, but they persevered. “We put our community first and aim to represent it well in everything we do,” says Dr. Innocent. Dr. Innocent treats all types of various health conditions in the realm of internal medicine. Specifically, he’s dedicated to the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity and its associated complications. He displays compassion and innovation on a regular basis. His focus is on wellness and encouraging his medical team to maintain a united spirit that will allow them to offer the best possible healthcare services to their patients. As for humanitarian efforts, Dr. Innocent’s provides constant financial support to communities in Haiti, medical missions, and educational initiatives in Miami directly through AMHE (Association Médicale Haïtienne à l’Etranger)
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“Put down your distractions, work hard, dream big, read a lot, and develop a strong discipline in everything you do.” and I&B. He’s interacted with the Haitian community by creating and producing content for several educational media platforms such as Island TV, Radio Mega, Radio Piman, and AMHE. The advice Dr. Innocent would give to young Haitians is to aspire to become inspired. “Put down your distractions, work hard, dream big, read a lot, and develop a strong discipline in everything you do,” he says. He also encourages young people to exercise to keep healthy and aim to help others as much as possible. Dr. Innocent is an avid learner who continues to update his skills, knowledge, and understanding of others for the benefit of the community he serves. In his ideal healthcare environment, patients would be empowered to create and maintain the health they deserve. In five to ten years, Dr. Innocent plans to scale I&B’s business model of high-quality healthcare and wellness services to other South Florida locations. He intends to remain in the healthcare industry, but he’s also interested in exploring other life sciences. In his spare time, Dr. Innocent enjoys spending quality time with his family, traveling, exploring other cultures, power yoga, meditation, spending time at the beach and swimming. He takes pride in working hard but also knows how to enjoy life to the fullest. CONTACT INFORMATION
I & B Medical Associates 9400 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33150 (305) 835-9264 www.iandbmed.com
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DOCTORS
DR. ALANDE BREZAULT
Considers Expanding his Medical Practice to Serve Even More Haitian Communities
…recipient of the 2020 Clinical Faculty Teaching award at AUC School of Medicine.
By Martine St. Hilaire Alande Brezault, M.D. was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He is happily married and has two daughters. His greatest achievement is becoming the recipient of the 2020 Clinical Faculty Teaching award at AUC School of Medicine. His other achievements include becoming Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at FIU, St. Georges, AUC, and Ross Medical School. He won the Resident of the Year award at UPMC Harrisburg Hospital in 2000. That same year, he took his board certification exam and received his certification from the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at North Shore Medical Center. In 2011, he became vice chief of staff at North Shore. In 2012, he became Medical Director of Utilization Review at Jackson North Medical Center. In 2016, he became a governing board member at North Shore. As for his philanthropic work, Dr. Brezault currently serves at the ISA Foundation: Medical School Alumni Association to help medical school students in Haiti. He also promotes medical education domestically and abroad and contributes to local nonprofit organizations. Dr. Brezault has interacted with the Haitian community by hosting radio and TV shows. He’s been promoting the community for the past ten years. He also participated in various relief efforts, including providing healthcare services to patients infected with cholera and effective immunization education on COVID-19. He’s gained support from politicians and elected officials committed to serving the Haitian community.
Alande Brezault, MD
In 2002, Dr. Brezault opened I and B Medical Associates with a fellow Haitian doctor, Claude A. Innocent, M.D. Just before he opened the Miami practice, he trained in internal medicine at University of Pittsburg Medical Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, then worked in Pennsylvania for two years before moving to South Florida. He contributed to a cultural representation of the Haitian community through his medical practice. In the beginning, the entire medical team faced the same sorts of financial limitations that many new businesses face. He was also up against fierce competition, but he persevered and maintained a focus on high-quality service in a highly regulated industry. The Haitian population has received I&B so well that Dr. Brezault and his team have introduced multiple tag lines throughout the years that resonated with the community. They include phrases like, “Lakay Se Lakay,” “Santem Sé Pi Gwo Richesse Mwen,” “I and B Se Lavi,” “Tout Pasyan Sé Fanmi,” “Health and Wellness We Do It Best,” and “Come Here, Come to I and B Medical.”
Dr. Brezault considers himself a servant to the Haitian community. His commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery and customer care is what makes him stand out from his competitors. He believes there’s always room for improvement when running a business. “We truly love our patients and want them to have the same or better care that patients of other communities receive no less,” he says. The advice Dr. Brezault would give to a young person trying to start a business is to work hard, not cut corners, follow the rules, respect and treat your staff fairly, invest your profits back into the business with a focus on constantly improving your processes, keep the work environment clean – and always remember that the client is the true boss. In the next five to ten years, Dr. Brezault plans to establish other medical centers of excellence on par with other communities. His goal is to promote wellness, prevention, and sound medical care to the Haitian community and others. I&B will continue to serve the Haitian community. It will also be scaled and expanded into other neighborhoods to better serve even more communities. In his free time, Dr. Brezault enjoys watching the NBA, NFL, cooking, dining at restaurants, traveling, reading, and playing board games with his family. CONTACT INFORMATION
I & B Medical Associates
9400 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33150 (305) 835-9264 website: www.iandbmed.com
HaitiOpen.com | Summer 2022 9 «
Nova is passion, compassion, and love.
Where healing comes from the heart with
DR. JEAN JULES FNP-BC, APRN, Board
Certified
Book an Appointment
12 Haiti Open | People Culture Tourism
Photos by Mackinley “Spex” Madhere
At Nova Medical & Wellness Centre, we are pleased to offer a full-service family practice. Your family medical provider will provide expert health management for patients from 15 to old age (senior), from preventative health to complex chronic disease management. We have a focus on illness prevention and managing your holistic health needs. We offer immunizations, cancer, and chronic disease screening, and provide referrals for diagnostic tests or specialists when necessary. The primary care providers at Nova Medical & Wellness Centre go the extra mile to educate you and to promote and encourage good health and wellness practices. Our simple goal - to help get you, and keep you, health. Our mission is to cate for all the patients the same way that I wanted to care for my grandmother. Nova is passion, compassion, and love. At Nova we ensure that our patients will obtain the best outcome and live an optimal life.
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MEDICAL CENTER
SERVICES:
• General Medicine • Family Medicine • Medical Exam for Immigration • Physical Therapy for Work/School • Workplace injuries (WCB or other) • Motor vehicle accidents (ICB) • Mental Health planning and counseling • Physical Exams • Pregnancy tests • Acute injuries, including minor lacerations and burns • Prescription refills • Allergy injections • Immunizations • Chronic disease management
WE ACCEPT: Medicare Medicaid Membership Plan HMO/PPO
MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM: If you don’t have Health Insurance, with $100 per year, get 50% off Discount on Medical Services at Nova Medical & Wellness Centre. 1-Doctor’s Visit 2-Laboratory
CONTACT: 7800 NW 44th St, Sunrise, FL 33351 (954) 900-1015 (800) 941-8315 www.NovaMedicalWellness.com
HaitiOpen.com | Summer 2022 13 «
TOP-RANKED HAITIAN REAL ESTATE MOGUL
JEAN SOREL CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS By Martine St. Hilaire
J
ean Marc Govern Sorel is a native of Bainet, Haiti who immigrated to Miami, Florida on New Year’s Day in 2000. He was in pursuit of a better life, and that’s exactly what he built for himself. Sorel wasted no time hitting the pavement upon his arrival. He enrolled in English courses for a couple of years at the North Miami Adult Education Center and was fortunate to obtain effective advice from its thenprincipal, Mr. Lesly Prudent. Shortly after taking his English courses, Sorel attended Gold Coast School of Real Estate, Miami Dade
“Since I came to the United States, I’ve always wanted to do something big for my country, especially where I am originally from, Bainet,” says Sorel.
College, Broward College, and Tax Wise University. He’s currently completing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Management at Florida International University. Sorel’s educational goals include completing a double degree from the University of Miami, which includes a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Juris Doctor (JD). A JD is equivalent to a Doctor of Medicine. When he was starting out, Sorel had little to no support to stay in school. He persevered on his journey by getting a job with Ocean View International Realty in 2002 as the assistant to a realtor. This
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experience encouraged him to get a real estate sales associate license. He then worked at Ocean View as a realtor for six more years. In 2009, he started his own company, First Class Income Tax Services, Inc. In 2010, he opened First Class Real Estate, LLC and First Class Insurance Services, Inc. in 2014. Sorel is currently President and CEO of First Class Enterprise, LLC. He’s facilitated thousands of deals for clients selling and buying properties and generated millions of dollars in sales. The Sorel family has been helping the people of Bainet in various ways for several years. Each year, the family distributes
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SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR
The Sorel family has been helping the people of Bainet in various ways for several years. Each year, the family distributes food, clothing, and school supplies to approximately 300 people. food, clothing, and school supplies to approximately 300 people. This philanthropic initiative is why Sorel decided to start a non-
profit organization, Organisation Professionelle Pour Le Development Educatif De Bainet (OPDEB). Through OPDEB, Sorel is able to receive much-needed support from sponsors who are helping to build a technical school that will prepare and train the residents of the great city. Bainet has over 65,000 people who currently have no, or minimal, technical skills. After 15 years of planning, Sorel says Bainet will finally have its own technical school that will offer courses ranging from tailoring, culinary arts, plumbing, electricity, and computer science, to mechanics, English, and more. Sorel is grateful for the sponsors who are helping to make this great dream a reality. Like any philanthropic endeavor, there’s always more work to do. Sorel is continually seeking out new sponsors and supporters that want to be part of OPDEB. Expanding support will help OPDEB reach residents of other cities like Côtes-de-Fer, La Vallée-de-Jacmel, and others. Sorel’s understanding of how to provide excellent client service stems from his colorful sales background. There’s absolutely no
stopping Sorel’s success anytime soon. He continues to rise through the ranks professionally and personally. He’s the owner of the largest Haitian Real Estate Firm in Florida. The key to his success is the fact that he truly understands the need for distinctive real estate representation. Ultimately, he hopes to open branches of his real estate firm across Florida and nationwide. Sorel’s words of encouragement help explain how he’s become the person he is today. He wants to remind everyone that success in life does not always mean fame and fortune. “Success is about fulfilling your dreams and Godgiven potential, growing steadily, and learning more about yourself at every stage of your life,” he says.
JEAN MARC SOREL CONTACTS: 305.433.5686 305.401.1870 jsorel@firstclassre.com www.firstclassre.com www.www.opdeb.org JeanSorelLive
HaitiOpen.com | Summer 2022 15 «
HAIR CARE
Be Crowned by My Curls with
STEPHANYE LAFORTUNE Luxury Hair By Alex Popa
S
tephanye Lafortune Luxury Hair is a cosmetics company that takes hair care to the next level. We’ve done the research, crunched the numbers, and discovered that your hair can be more beautiful, smoother, silkier, and healthier. Our products help you do that! We stock a variety of essential products for every hair type and hair length, including: • • • • • • • • •
Cleansers Moisturizers Hair-growth oils Shampoos Conditioners Hair masks Gels Mousse Hair-repair creams
Our collection was founded in 2020 during the Covid pandemic by Stephanye Lafortune. It’s a mother and daughter brand whose customer support is second to none. Our clients deserve the best possible hair products, and we provide them at affordable prices. Why compromise on the health of your hair?
MULTI-PURPOSE PRODUCTS We focus on hair growth, regrowth, and repair. Whether you’ve lost hair due to chemicals, heat, or alopecia, our products can restore it! “We take pride in our culture and have worked with familiar faces in the Haitian community to promote our business. Former Miss Haiti, Melissa Lucien, is one of our brand ambassadors,” says Gaelle Karène Petit-Fond, the COO of Stephanye Lafortune. Our conditioners and shampoos can add much-needed volume to your hair, whether you’re a man or woman. Our hair-growth oils and hair-repair creams can help you deal with any hair-related issues. And because they’re such high-quality products, there are zero side effects – only benefits for your hair! High-Quality, Low-Cost Products High-quality products don’t have to cost a fortune. In reality, they can cost a fraction of what you’ve come to expect. This is what the Stephanye Lafortune brand is all
Gaelle Karène Petit-Fond, COO
about. We offer great hair products that anyone can afford. Our customers are our focus, so we always listen to feedback and treat our customers right. This is why most of our clientele is return customers who’ve tried our products. We’re straightforward, transparent, and available 24/7 to answer any questions about our products. TAKE CARE OF YOUR HAIR WITH STEPHANYE LAFORTUNE! “Everything big starts small,” says Petit-Fond.” I can see our company going worldwide in the next 3-5 years, with warehouses, in-house manufacturing, and the creation of business opportunities for others.” We invite you to try one of our hair products today!
HaitiOpen.com | Summer 2022 17 «
PHOTOGRAPHER
Who is Jameson Thermitus Founder of Ayisee Stock?
Thermitus has been making a huge impact in the photography industry by working with many celebrities such as RoodyRoodboy, T-Ansyto, Vanessa Désiré, Dj Roger and so many others, as being the official photographer for Miss Haiti since 2017 and by organizing several networking events like “Haiti Meet and Greet” in 2017 and 2018, “Photoshop Week” in 2021, to name a few; which now leads to the foundation of Ayisee Stock.
Contact: jamesonthermitus.com (+509) 3114-1011
Born and raised in Port-auPrince, Jameson Thermitus is an entrepreneur and professional photographer specialized in high-end fashion, portraits and commercial photography. Jameson
Exki Fast Food
Exki Fast Food is a restaurant located in a commercial area in Cap- Haitien, Haiti. It is owned by 2 young entrepreneurs, Jameson Thermitus and Dominique Etienne who shares a vision of creating a fast food franchise in Haiti. Exki Fast Food prepares and serves food and drinks to customers at the fastest pace. We offer dine in, take out and food delivery services. Our menu includes quick and inexpensive meals seasoned with local spices. Imagine chicken wings with a Haitian twist? At Exki Fast Food, you may look forward to a different experience in Haitian cuisine represented with the most flavorful food.
What is Ayisee Stock?
Ayisee Stock is a commercial platform offering high-quality, royalty-free photos and images, which connects photo and image authors to a variety of appreciative users, freelancers, local and international companies. We welcome everyone to come enjoy good food, good music and a great vibe! Thank you.
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Founded by photographer Jameson Thermitus, Ayisee Stock creates a vibrant community of talented photographers in all fields to provide clients from everywhere exceptional content that they can explore and use for personal, commercial and editorial purposes. All photographers of all categories can send their content to Ayisee Stock. If they agree and respect our terms and conditions, they will become contributors and receive a commission on the sale of their content.
Why create Ayisee Stock?
Ayisee Stock will facilitate a freelancer or company the possibility of uploading high quality photos and images to illustrate a marketing campaign with a Distribution License. Until now, it remains difficult to find photos and images representing our environment on most online stock photo platforms. From now on, a variety of categories such as Business, Sport, Education, Nature, Construction, Art & Beauty and many more are available on Ayisee Stock. Contact: ayiseestock.com ayiseestock
Contact: Rue 8 A, Cap-Haïtien 1110, Haiti +509 31 11 4040 exkifastfood
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CONTENTS| SUMMER 2022 ADVERTORIALS | pg 8 Dr. Claude A. Innocent Dr. Alande Brezault Dr. Jean Jules Jean Sorel Stephanye Lafortune Jameson Thermitus Jacky Catule Patrick Noel Jean Stephane Bricourt Dr. Clones Lans Dr. Romane Joseph Dr. Angelo Gousse Nelda Jean & Nixon Mesidor
2022 FEATURED HOT 100 FINALISTS | pg 44
Photo by Jameson Thermitus, Villa Cana Hotel & Restaurant, Cap-Haïtien, Haiti
Soraya Louis Judeline Barthelemy Stevens Dorcelus Yvana Romelus Markinson Alume Linda Negriel Vanessa Camilien-Petersen Ashly Hendrick Langlichmie Normiler Kensley Jean Alexandrina Andre Jalen Brannon Edlin St. Vil Shannone H’Taïna Henriquez Yvelaine Alexandre Jean-René Rinvil Sandra Augustin Elfrantz Leon Jaly Stuve Joseph Naësha Joana Antoine Ruggery Roselin Thaïna Fleurantin Dune Duny Dubé Sydney Eugene Joanne Alexandre Isebervenda Bienneston Christa Ductan Wadline Emmanuel
SUMMER EVENTS | pg 92 Tea for a Cause by Angels for Humanity Haitian Heritage Month at Vizcaya Museum Kodak Black 25th B'Day by L'Union Suite Joé Dwèt Filé by Talan Entertainment
TALK TO US
JEAN ALFRED DELVA Editor-in-Chief Delva@HaitiOpen.com Cover Winner SORAYA "MISS SOY" LOUIS Photographer Jameson Thermitus @jamesonthermitus Location VILLA CANA HOTEL & RESTAURANT Cap-Haïtien, Haiti Graphic Designer MENDES CHEVALIER @mendes_1812 Proofreaders ALEC ROSS Sara Bigley Layout MOHAMMAD "MA" ALAUDIN Photographers: JAMESON THERMITUS MACKINLEY 'SPEX' MADHERE RICARDO SAINT-CYR KENLEY LAURENT SANDIA JACQUES-MITCHELL SYDNEY CASTOR CHRISTOPHER HARRIS JORDAN ALRICHE Writers: MARTINE ST. HILAIRE ALEX POPA NORA VERTUS DR. ANGELO GOUSSE Haiti Representative: PETERSON AGERNORD, PORT-AU-PRINCE +509-3488-2714
HEALTH INSURANCE
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
by JCKC Financial Services
with
JACKY CATULE
Photo by Mackinley “Spex” Madhere
people aged 65 or older. Besides the age requirement, Medicare has other eligibility criteria: • You or your spouse must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years or 40 quarters • You must be a Green Card holder, TPS recipient, or U.S. citizen • You must have lived in the U.S. for at least five consecutive years Younger people with certain disabilities and those diagnosed with kidney failure or Lou Gehrig’s disease might be eligible for Medicare regardless of age, even if they don’t fulfill the 40-quarter requirement.
Today, let’s talk about Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
WHAT IS MEDICARE AND WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR IT? Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed primarily for
Servicing the community since 2013
WHEN SHOULD YOU SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE? In general, you should start the process 3 months before you turn 65 to avoid a late enrollment penalty. Your initial enrollment window for Medicare spans seven months, beginning three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ending three months after that month. If you don’t sign up – especially for Medicare part B – when you’re first eligible, you might incur a penalty of 10% for each 12-month period you could have applied but didn’t. If you’re 65 or older and have
Obamacare, you still won’t avoid the late enrollment penalty. But if you or your spouse have health insurance coverage through either of your employers, you might be able to delay your enrollment in Medicare without incurring a penalty.
WHAT IS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE? Medicare Advantage consists of private companies contracted with the federal government to provide you with health insurance coverage. Every month, the federal government pays the health insurance companies for your coverage. Most Medicare Advantage plans have no monthly premium, no co-insurance, and no deductible. Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part C offers some extra benefits that aren’t in Original Medicare (like vision, dental, fitness programs, free monthly over-the-counter items, Healthy Foods Card for monthly shopping, and free transportation to medical appointments). The 20% coinsurance you had with Original Medicare goes away.
I call it PLAN WOLOLOY LA, PLAN KI BA-W AVANTAJ BAB E MOUSTACH LA!
We’re associated with some of the greatest companies in the U.S., and we know the Medicare system inside out! Additional services: • Obamacare • Life Insurance • Income tax • Notary public • Document translation
CONTACT JACKY: 954-825-9923 954-446-7441 LinkedIn: Jacky Catule Dade & Broward Locations: Dade: 12400 W. Dixie HWY, Miami, FL Broward: 3692 West Oakland Blvd, Lauderdale Lakes, FL
HaitiOpen.com | Summer 2022 24 «
YOUNG REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
PATRICK NOEL JEAN SHARES HIS SUCCESS STORY By Martine St. Hilaire
Michael Jean
Patrick Noel-Jean
Y
oung real estate investor and networking expert Patrick Noel was born in Miami and now currently resides in Plantation Acres. The great people around him – like his father, who pushed him to believe in boundless opportunities – inspire Noel. Another inspiration is author James Clear, who wrote the book Atomic Habits, a book focused on habits, decision-making, and continuous improvement.Real estate seems to be the ultimate passion, after joining an accelerated real estate and mentoring summer boot-camp in Miami- MREIA (Miami Real Estate Investors Academy) founded by real estate wholesaler Evelyne Bobo and Co-founded by Noel’s father Mr. Andy Jean. This mentorship program and books encouraged Noel to shape shift his identity and create better life habits. In addition to being a young real estate investor, Noel is currently in an internship program with World Management. There, he’s a part of the production team and specializes in using digital cameras. Major politicians, including a mayor, have also interviewed himand he’s been featured as a guest on Epic Talks Inner Circle Block Media. “My
“The best feeling in the world is knowing you took a step in the right direction. A step towards the future where everything that you never thought was possible, is possible for a Haitian,” says Noel. ultimate profession is to be an icon where people will come up to me and tell me ‘You’re the reason why I never gave up,’” says Noel. As a networking aficionado, Noel has success stories to tell even future generations. Notable political fundraisers Noel has been invited to include events for Naomi Esther Blemur, who is running to be Florida’s Commissioner of
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Agriculture, and another for the Honorable Philippe Bien-Aime, Mayor of North Miami. Noel has networked with over 100 business owners and millionaires. Noel feels his mindset has evolved into a better space because of how much he reads. His zest for life also allows him to learn so much. He considers himself stronger, more focused, calmer, and more relaxedas
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YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR up. Noel is thankful for every opportunity he’s received. He feels every step he’s taken has been different. He has taken steps that changed his life overnight before he even realized what was going on. That’s what hard work does – it works for you. Noel considers the steps one takes in life to be like chess pieces. They can fall into the right place at the most unexpected
a result of his reading. To gain more knowledge in the world of investing, he absorbs everything. “My mind is able to run more laps due to my experiences in life,” he’s said. He
(R) Michael Jean
(L) Patrick Noel-Jean
“I believe Haitians who are born in America have the ability to make Haiti’s voice heard,” Patrick states with conviction.
plans to create a system for each of his goals instead of worrying about their outcomes. He tends to focus on the process to get there. He plans to do whatever it takes and never give
moment in the game of life. As he continues on his journey, he realizes that each step helps tell him who he is.“I believe Haitians who are born in America have the ability to make Haiti’s voice heard,” he states with conviction. When asked about the best way to inspire young Haitians, Noel says he can create campaigns and fundraisers to teach youth how to invest and gain knowledge that will benefit them in the long run. Noel is proud to be a Haitian born in the United States. He’s been able to go to school and obtain an educational background he can be proud of. One day he would like to be considered a role model for other Haitians and non-Haitians alike. If he can inspire and motivate other Haitians and teach them how to become successful, it will not only help the people but impact future generations, too. In the future, Noel would like to develop his public speaking abilities. One of his talents is that he understands human nature. He also has impressive skillsets in the areas of cooking, playing basketball, and reading. To make his voice heard on social media, he plans to promote himself on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more.
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GET TO KNOW REAL ESTATE AND LANDSCAPING AFICIONADO
STEPHANE BRICOURT By Martine St. Hilaire Photos by Mackinley “Spex” Madhere
M
eet Stephane Bricourt, a real estate and landscaping expert. He was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where he graduated from Saint-Louis de Gonzague and Canado Haitien. He moved to Florida in 1982 and graduated from Florida Memorial University and University of Miami a few years later. He’s been providing real estate and business finance services since 1986. Since Bricourt entered the real estate industry in South Florida, it’s given him access to multiple real estate investment and construction opportunities. He’s also a realtor with RE/MAX Consultant realty specializing in luxury real estate. “It is a very exciting time with the real estate market changes and the attraction that South Florida represents,” he says. Bricourt is dedicated to helping his clients find the home of their dreams. Whether they’re buying or selling a home or just curious about the local market, he’s happy to offer his support and services. Because he’s familiar with the local community — both as an agent and a neighbor — he can help guide them through the nuances
Bricourt is dedicated to helping his clients find the home of their dreams.
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of the market. Leveraging his access to top listings, a worldwide network, exceptional marketing strategies and cutting-edge technology, he works hard to make his clients’ real estate experience memorable and enjoyable. Bricourt started his business, Green Square Lawn Inc. (GSL), in 2018 just before the COVID pandemic broke out. He had to obtain state and local government contracts as a minority contractor and become a vendor for the state of Florida. He started the business with just an idea and on a dare from his sons. He wanted to prove he could start a business with just $1.00. Four years later, GSL has contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Bricourt has numerous HOAs, commercial properties, hotels, and other business deals in addition to luxury residential property deals. As a minority business owner, Bricourt prides himself on the dedication, professionalism, and attention to detail that every one of his GSL team members brings to their work. The advice Bricourt would you give to young entrepreneurs trying to start their own business would be to persevere and not stay discouraged, as that’s inevitable. It’s important to not let the lack of finances and funding discourage get you down. He believes conviction and belief can open doors you’d never believed would open. Bricourt concentrates his efforts in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach areas. West and North Florida are presently very promising and financially attractive to him, and
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REALTOR he’s steered some of his clients to those areas as well. As a RE/MAX real estate agent, Bricourt provides an array of tools to promote and market the properties he represents. He advises sellers on the best way to stage and present their property and ensures it’s marketed using all the tools available via social media, open houses flyers, and more. Bricourt works hard to get the highest price possible for each property. In addition, he maintains
Bricourt started his business, Green Square Lawn Inc. (GSL), in 2018 just before the COVID pandemic broke out.
continuous communication with his clients throughout the process. He keeps them informed every step of the way, providing various inspections and much more. His goal is to ensure whatever issues they may have are addressed in a satisfactory manner, the transaction closes on time, and that it’s properly financed. Passion and relaxation for Bricourt means boating and horseback riding. He and his wife enjoy boating down to Elliott Key or Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Florida. He also enjoys early Saturday mornings at the barn, feeding and riding horses. Ultimately, he’s grateful that his landscaping company and access to the luxury real estate market complement each other. CONTACT INFORMATION
Green Square Lawn Inc. (305) 209-6616 sbricourt@aol.com greensquarelawninc.com
Stephane Bricourt / REMAX 1625 SE 17th St Causeway Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (786) 897-0879 sbricourt@aol.com
SOIS BELLE AESTHETIC CLINIC Grand Opening May 26, 2022
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recommend surgery to repair a painful or enlarging hernia. CAUSES OF HERNIA Some hernias have no apparent cause. Others might occur as a result of: • Increased pressure within the abdomen • A pre-existing weakened spot in the abdominal wall • Straining during bowel movements or urination • Strenuous activity • Pregnancy • Chronic cough or sneezing
JOSEPH SURGERY The Name you know; the Surgeons you Trust
HERNIA
A protrusion, bulge, or projection of an organ or part of an organ through the body wall that normally contains it. You can easily see and feel the bulge most often when you are upright; however not all hernias are visible by the patient, especially when obese. Symptoms commonly include pain at hernia site when doing daily activities such as bending, lifting heavy objects, or even coughing. Symptoms do not improve on its own and without medical attention can lead to life-threatening complications. Your doctor will likely
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RISK FACTORS Factors that contribute to developing a hernia: • GENDER - Men are eight times more likely to develop an inguinal hernia than women. Umbilical/Ventral hernias are more common in females. • ADVANCED AGE - Muscles weaken as you age. • FAMILY HISTORY - Having a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with a history of hernia. • CHRONIC COUGH - Such as from smoking. Smoking places you at higher risk for hernia development. • PREGNANCY - Being pregnant can weaken the abdominal muscles causing increased pressure inside your abdomen. • PREVIOUS HERNIA OR HERNIA REPAIR - Even if your previous hernia occurred in childhood, you are at higher risk of developing another hernia.
SIGNS OF TROUBLE Hernias can become strangulated or “incarcerated” meaning that blood flow to the tissue is cut off and becomes trapped. This is a life-threatening complication if not treated. Strangulated hernia signs and symptoms: • Nausea, vomiting or both • Fever • Sudden pain that quickly intensifies • Hernia bulge that turns red, purple or dark in color • Inability to move your bowels or pass gas
VARIOUS TYPES OF HERNIAS VENTRAL HERNIA Ventral hernias occur in anterior midline locations of the abdomen. These are known as Primary Ventral Hernias and include areas such as: Epigastric, Umbilical and Spigelian). Ventral Parastomal hernias are a type of ventral hernia resulting after stoma surgery. Another type is the ventral incisional hernia post-surgical procedure. GROIN HERNIA The groin is the region at the lower margin of the abdomen where the thigh meets the hip. Groin hernias are subclassified into inguinal and femoral hernias.
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HERNIA REPAIR PELVIC HERNIA Pelvic hernias protrude through one of the pelvic foramina (sciatic and obturator hernia) or the pelvic floor (perineal hernias).
FLANK/ LUMBAR HERNIA Flank hernias protrude through weakened areas of back musculature and include the superior and inferior lumbar triangle hernias. INGUINAL HERNIA The most common groin hernia is the inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia complications produce increased healthcare resource consumption due to high lifetime risk factors; 27% for men and 3% for women. It is estimated that inguinal hernias occur 20 times more often in men than women.
HIATAL HERNIA A condition in which the upper part of your stomach bulges through an opening in your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is the thin muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen. Your diaphragm helps keep acid from coming up into your esophagus such as in GERD or Acid reflux. Most people with a hiatal hernia experience any signs or symptoms and rarely require treatment. However, if you experience bothersome symptoms such as recurrent heartburn or acid reflux you may require treatment which may include medications or surgery. Common symptoms of Hiatal Hernia: • eartburn that worsens when leaning over or lying down • Chest pain or epigastric pain • Trouble swallowing and/or frequent belching
approach should be individualized on the basis of patient variables and surgeon skill set. LAPAROSCOPIC/ ROBOTIC HERNIA REPAIR Minimally invasive surgical app-roaches offer the potential for reduced postoperative pain and a quicker return to normal activities. When performing laparoscopic/ robotic inguinal or femoral hernia repair, the hernia defect is approached from its posterior aspect and the repair involves placing mesh in the preperitoneal space.
DR. ROMANE JOSEPH (DR. TI TROU),
General/Robotic Surgeon
FEMORAL HERNIA Femoral hernia is the 3rd most common type of primary hernia. In fact, femoral hernias account for nearly 14% of hernias in women and 2% in men worldwide.
HERNIA REPAIR The definitive treatment of most hernias, regardless of their origin or type, is surgical repair. Many techniques have been used, and these can be categorized as tension free repairs that typically use mesh and primary tissue approximation repairs that do not use mesh. The most commonly used open approaches include the Lichtenstein repair; the plug and patch repair; and the open, preperitoneal approach. When performed by experienced surgeons, each of these is associated with low recurrence rates. In general, the open approach remains preferred over a Laparoscopic/ Robotic approach for primary, unilateral inguinal hernia repair in men. Even so, the
MIAMI: 9415 NE 6th Ave., Miami, FL 33138 BROWARD: 4900 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Ste 202, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33313 786-401-6455 www.JosephSurgery.com Most Insurances Accepted
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Injecting your Own Blood in The Penis Might Treat Your Erection Problems:
THE PROMISE OF PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) P-SHOT® By Dr. Angelo Gousse Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a component of blood that has been shown to promote healing and generate healthy tissue in the human body. PRP therapy is currently used to treat joints, tendon or muscle injuries, stimulate hair growth, recover facial health, lift breast and even speed recovery from surgery. PRP helps repair injuries and rejuvenate tissues, slowing the aging process. In sexual medicine, PRP PShot® is also used as an alternative treatment option for: • Erectile dysfunction (ED) • Peyronie’s disease
• Penis enlargement and male sexual performance • Female sexual orgasmic disorders (O-Shot®)
HOW DOES IT WORK? Our blood is made of four different components: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. Plasma (mostly contains salt, nutrients, and water) is the liquid part of your blood and makes up about half of its volume. Platelets are tiny cells critical for helping your blood clot after an injury. It is now being discovered that platelets also contain large amount of proteins called growth factors that help speed up healing and regenerate
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tissues damaged by trauma or aging. The benefit of PRP for ED is to make the spongy tissue and blood vessels in the penis (corpora) healthier and easier to dilate. A healthier corpora increases blood flow and renders the penis harder and larger. To prepare PRP, Dr Gousse takes a small sample of your blood (similar to a regular phlebotomy – blood draw) and spins it in a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates the plasma and platelets from the other parts of your blood. The resulting PRP mixture has a much higher concentration of platelets than regular whole blood. We are now concentrating platelets
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SEXUAL HEALTH and Cellular Medicine Association (CMA) recommendations.
up to 6 times (6X) the normal whole blood concentration in our PRP mixtures. Once the PRP mixture is properly prepared, it’s directly injected into your anesthetized penis by Dr Gousse (A Boardcertified Urologist). The injections are virtually painless. This is commonly called the Priapus Shot, or P- Shot®. The P- Shot®is a quick procedure (less than 5 minutes), and you’ll likely be able to leave the clinic in about an hour or less. You also don’t have to do anything to prepare in advance for the procedure. You may drive home yourself. You can return to work immediately. It can even be done during lunch time. The procedure is very discrete. No scars are created, and minimal penile swelling is noted on the day of the procedure. Using PRP for ED is very promising – It has a very strong scientific basis – currently it is under scientific review and many peer reviewed articles have been published on the subject. So far, the scientific studies have not reported any major adverse reactions to PRP therapy.
The researchers concluded that PRP has the potential to be a useful treatment option for ED. Common Current ED treatments include: • Medications. ED medications allow the blood vessels in the penis to dilate and increase blood flow. Example Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil (Cialis) • Lifestyle changes. Becoming more physically active, eating a healthier diet, and quitting smoking all have the potential to improve ED. • Vacuum Erection Devices : Vacuum pumps • Vasoactive penile Injections: Trimix and Prostaglandin • Implant of Penile Prosthesis: As surgical procedure
HOW MUCH DOES PRP COST? No insurance plans currently cover PRP- It is considered cosmetic treatment. The cost of the P- Shot® can range widely among clinics. Gousse Urolog y charges $ 1900.00 for the P- Shot® treatment. This is consistent with national rates
RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS The 2020 review mentioned earlier found no major PRP adverse effects in the study participants. PRP is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction or blood borne transmission since the substance being injected is coming from your body. However, as with any type of injection, there’s always a small risk of complications. If you’re having trouble getting an erection, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. You might have an underlying medical or psychologic cause. Do not suffer in silence with ED. Get the proper help. Consider new and noninvasive options such as P- Shot®. They might change your life.
ANGELO E. GOUSSE, MD •
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Professor and Chairman of Urology, Larkin Health System, ACGME Accredited Urology Residency Training Program Voluntary Professor of Urology University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine Director of Fellowship: Female Urology, Voiding Dysfunction, Reconstruction, Memorial Hospital Miramar, South Broward Hospital District
Address: 1951 SW 172 Av, Ste 305, Miramar, FL, 33029 Phone: 954-362-2720 Fax: 954-362-2762 www.gousseurology.com
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HOW THE AYITI MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
Preserves Legacies for Generations By Martine St. Hilaire
and team committees that specialize in various areas such as communications, public relations, research, finance, and law. They are dedicated to being of service in the state of Florida and hope to expand to other regions in the future. AMMHOF is currently registered in Florida as an approved 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The AMMHOF team takes pride in serving tri-county communities and inner cities with programs that enhance people’s lives economically and socially. An example of one of these beneficial programs is their Youth and Group Sessions, which are designed to target specific social and economic concerns. AMMHOF has been gaining support from partners and their generous contributions over the years. This backing promotes the healthy growth of
“AMMHOF was born from sincere passion and collaboration,” says Augustine-Jean.
Nelda Augustin-Jean, Founder
T
he Ayiti Music Hall of Fame & Museum (AMMHOF) is a nonprofit organization whose primary focus is to uplift, educate and maintain awareness of the
“genres,” legends for all generations. AMMHOF is best known for its annual celebration of inductees into its Hall of Fame. The NPO comprises board members, administrators,
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youth and provides them with support from mentors that teach young people skills they can use for the rest of their lives. It’s inspiring to see how AMMHOF is educating, cultivating, and developing future generations through its diligent efforts. The three (3) focuses of AMMHOF are its Annual “Inductee” Celebration that shines a light on its “Legends”; the “Youth’IAM” Mentor, tutoring, and awareness program; and group sessions that address the vulnerabilities and matters of concern of legends. You can see the changes AMMHOF has made by giving back and “producing” younger generations. The AMMHOF team supports the careers of budding artists – for example, “Dawonn Official” a young
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MUSIC MESEUM solo artist, and “BEL”, a young allwoman group. We will continue this work for future generations. AMMHOF Co-Chairs Nelda Augustine-Jean and Nixon Mesidor say the younger generations shouldn’t always have to be alone in their endeavors. Augustine-Jean is one of AMMHOF’s two founding members. She’s a passionate and highly dedicated individual who enjoys being a servant to the communities that raised and groomed her. She is a well-versed, driven, and supportive member of her various communities. She typically requires no introduction. Whenever she enters a function, her face and name are well received. AMMHOF was always made to be the cultural preservation organization it has become. Its mission is to continuously give back for generations after generations. There are two major upcoming programs the AMMHOF team is excited about. The first program is its Annual Inductee of Legends ceremony in the summer of 2023. The second is its Youth Mentorship and Tutoring program, better known as Youth’IAM. These two wellconstructed programs by AMMHOF will do what they’re designed to do: to serve their communities. As co-chair of AMMHOF, Augustine-Jean advises and oversees research for the organization. She’s also known for handling obstacles straight on, as she’s done throughout her life. She has a list of “dos and don’ts” that is her trademark for mentoring and counseling. She uses it whenever she faces big decisions. It’s a trick she learned from her own personal endeavors. Nixon Mesidor is AMMHOF’s other founder. He is tasked with cultivating relationships with artists and bringing them together to showcase their passion. The legendary artists he signs on don’t just perform at events. They’ve paved the way in their respective areas and deserve a
space in the Music Museum of Hall of Fame. Mesidor also takes pride in securing the participation of local stars and celebrities who stand to be represented in a grander manner. As an AMMHOF mentor, Mesidor is currently working on a project to mentor and showcase the talents of young people from various communities. Mesidor clearly demonstrates what being a great mentor represents. He’s a perfect example of how and why AMMHOF – or any organization that mentors, tutors and teaches leadership – functions successfully.
“This work should have already been done, but as ‘they’ say, better late than never,” says Mesidor. The AMMHOF team supports the careers of budding artists – for example, “Dawonn Official” a young solo artist, and “BEL”, a young allwomens group. We will continue this work for future generations. AMMHOF Co-Chairs Nelda and Nixon say the younger generations shouldn’t always have to be alone in their endeavors. The AMMHOF team is ensuring that whatever blueprint is missing is in place effectively, immediately, and efficiently. The ultimate goal is for its vision to be duplicated and guide future generations. Even though he’s often in the spotlight as a musician, Mesidor is a family man who lives his life privately. He plays bass guitar and is a member of the remarkable Haitian band Klass. He’s also a proud owner of a recording studio, Faktori Atis, and a record label based in Wellington, Florida. He’s known as being people-oriented and has a large circle of friends that keep him grounded.
Nixon Mesidor, Co-Chair
To add capacity to their outreach services, AMMHOF provides services for people in social distress and pathways for individuals with emergency relief needs. Its major accomplishments include the development and enhancement programs that enable young people to showcase their talents in the arts. The AMMHOF team is committed to valuing the legends that have marked the history of Haitian music and the effective development of future generations. Visit AMMHOF’s website to learn more about their programs and events: www.ammhof.com FOLLOW AMMHOF ONLINE: www.ammhof.com @ammhof facebook.com/Ammhof
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A Flawless Combination of Beauty and Brains
SORAYA
“MISS SOY”
LOUIS By Martine St. Hilaire & Photos by Jameson Thermitus Villa Cana Hotel & Restaurant, Cap-Haïtien, Haiti
HOT 100 COVER WINNER eet Soraya “Miss Soy” Louis, cover winner of our Hot 100 Young Haitians contest. Soraya was born and lives in Portau-Prince. She’s highly inspired by her mother, whom she considers to be the epitome of a woman. Her mother has been the rock of her life and the glue of her family. “Like many Haitian women, my mother jumped through all the hurdles to ensure a life for her children, and I can only aspire to be half the woman she is,” says Soraya. Soraya is also inspired by her three older sisters, who are great examples of flourishing and brave women despite the difficulties they’ve faced throughout their lives. What ultimately keeps Soraya going is her desire to be a better person every day. She has a long list of goals she wants to attain and vows to work hard to achieve them. She firmly believes she was born for greatness. In her spare time, Soroya loves spending time with her loved ones, cooking, and traveling to other countries to learn about different cultures. She also dances beautifully and enjoys immersing herself in the artistry of carnival. But dancing is her favorite hobby. Soroya isn’t just a dancing beauty. She’s also very accomplished. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with a concentration in Intercultural Communication from the University of Bridgeport, a bachelor’s degree in International Political Economy and Diplomacy (IPED) from the same university, and a master’s degree in Global Development and Peace with a focus on Human Security. She’s currently enrolled for a second Master’s in Law in International Human Rights at the University of Law, London. Earning her degrees has been a huge milestone for Soraya, especially since the massive 2010 earthquake in Haiti that almost shattered her dreams. Her parents lost almost everything that day, and Soraya almost lost her life:
I hope to be able to create a safe haven for victims who don’t have any resources in their environment to help them overcome their trauma.
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to helping Haitians in need. If there were anything else she’d like to, it would be to help young women who are victims of domestic abuse and assault. “I hope to be able to create a safe haven for victims who don’t have any resources in their environment to help them overcome their trauma,” she says. Soraya’s social media presence has increased significantly in the last year. She now has an audience of nearly 73,000 followers whom she interacts with daily. She’s collaborated with many brands and businesses and signed on to a handful of ambassadorships. She’s learned much from the talented artists, brand managers, and business owners she’s met on her journey. She hopes her brand as an influencer will continue to grow as authentically as it started.
I think if we spread more love, more positive thoughts, and more unity as a people, we will see a youth that is much more conscious of the country they want to see Haiti become.
she was trapped underground for six hours. “I didn’t think I’d survive, so to be able to rise from the rubble, literally, has been fulfilling in more ways than one,” she says.
Soraya is currently a Media Content Manager at Food for the Poor Haiti. She loves her work. She gets to combine her passion for communication and development with her commitment
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As a personal goal, Soraya has always wanted to integrate law into her profession. She’d love to be able to obtain a Master’s in Law. She intends to combine that degree with her other knowledge and skills to continue pushing for development in Haiti and better policies and effective change in the community. Soraya believes young Haitians are the only vectors of change for Haiti. She feels they need to start becoming politicians and working for the government or the international community to bring about positive change to their country. “I think if we spread more love, more positive thoughts, and more unity as a people, we will see a youth that is much more conscious of the country they want to see Haiti become.”
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If Soraya had a platform to make her voice heard, she’d love to be able to discuss domestic abuse and assault. She believes abusive and toxic behavior have been normalized for far too long. Young Haitian women need to know they don’t have to settle for what their elders did. She’d create a safe space where women can share their stories, discuss their trauma, and receive the help they need to heal and grow. As a victim of assault herself, Soraya strives to put her trauma and experience to good use to better the lives of other women. Being Haitian is an honor, and Soraya carries it with pride. It taught her resilience and strength. It also taught her that people will see you as the underdog, and it is your responsibility to make them see how powerful you truly are. Soraya loves being a part of Haitian heritage and reminding people she’s a proud Haitian and a force to be reckoned with.
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The Pride of Gonaïves
MENTAL HEALTH ENTHUSIAST JUDELINE BARTHELEMY
By Martine St. Hilaire and Photos by Kenley Laurent
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eet Judeline Barthelemy, one of the five finalists from our 2022 Hot 100 Young Haitians contest. Barthelemy was born in Gonaïves, Haiti, and currently lives in Coral Springs, Florida. She’s inspired by her mother, whom she considers an absolutely amazing woman. Barthelemy continually prays to be half the woman her mother is. She’s also motivated by the people who believe in her – and even those who don’t. Knowing where she comes from plays a significant role in everything she does.
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Being Haitian has affected how Judeline views the world because she came from prominence. Her history is greatness, so she tries her best to do well and accomplish great things. She believes the world is a place where if she wants something, she has to grab it. Success isn’t just handed out to anyone. Judeline is building a nonprofit organization called La Force that donates clothes, hygiene products, food, and essential products to people in need in Haiti. She also pays for children’s school needs and visits to the doctor. Her dream is to open a school in Haiti to support parents who typically can’t afford to send their children to school. She’s in an advanced placement social work master’s program at FAU and is working as a social worker for the elderly. Her ultimate career goal is to get her LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) certificate and have her own practice. Coming to the U.S. is one Judeline’s greatest accomplishments because it opened the door to opportunities she couldn’t find in Haiti. “Don’t get me wrong. I love my country but, at the same time, it does not offer many kids much,” she says. Getting her AA and BSW (Associates in Arts and Bachelor’s in Social Work) and entering graduate school was a major accomplishment for her as a first-generation immigrant. As for personal goals, Judeline will continue to make a difference in the lives of those in need. As we know, she wants to earn her master’s degree and land a successful job in the mental health industry. Another goal was to win the 2022 Hot 100 Young Haitians competition. She didn’t garner the most votes and make it to the cover but ending up in the Top 5 was the next best thing. “I think the contest will open many doors for me to network with people who can contribute to my non-profit dream,” she says. When asked what young Haitians can do to help improve their
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HOT 100 FINALIST country, Judeline believes they should become educated, stand for something and give back to their communities. She currently helps Haitians by running her clothing drive, La Force, and helping sponsor children in need with their schooling and medical needs.
Given the opportunity to reach the upcoming generation, Judeline would show them that anything is possible. She believes if you can imagine it, you can make it happen. In her free time, Judeline enjoys making memories with friends, having date nights with her
boyfriend, and listening to Kompa. She loves Kompa music. She also likes being physically fit, and running is her go-to workout. She doesn’t run as often as she used to, but ’’s something she plans to make more time for, as her health is very important to her.
Her mantra is, “If you know where you’re from, you’ll know where you’re going.”
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TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPION
STEVENS DORCELUS MAKES A NAME FOR HIMSELF By Martine St. Hilaire and Photos by Sydney Castor
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eet STEVENS DORCELUS, one of the five finalists from our 2022 Hot 100 Young Haitians contest. He’s of Haitian decent and currently lives in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Stevens is a professional track and field athlete. One of his greatest accomplishments is becoming Canadian long jump champion at the Canadian Junior Championships. He has been practicing this sport since he was 16 years old. He’s also a financial advisor, entrepreneur, and a model for one of the supreme modeling agencies in Canada, FOLIO. He’s currently working on his dream career, which is to run his own financial firm. He’s also the founder of Jump Like Me (JLM), a movement whose mission is to encourage the youth to get into sports and live a healthy lifestyle. During his athletic career, Stevens wanted a way to share his approach with young people. In 2017, he started the JLM movement. He began creating video capsules, hosting training sessions and speaking in conferences at schools. JLM is made up of two divisions: Move Like Me and JLM Fitness. Stevens also won a college scholarship to study in the United States. He was the Canadian long jump champion two years in a row (2019-2020). He still holds the Canadian games record, to this day, with a record of 7m84. His diligence towards his sport led him to make four Canadian teams and to complete a training camp in Romania for a six-month period. Stevens is the main subject of an upcoming documentary about his life as a big brother and inspirational role model. The project is project directed by a professional filmmaker and was shot over a period of nine years. Production began in 2013 and is expected to wrap up next year. As a financial advisor, Stevens continuously demonstrates his passion for the financial security of his clients. He aims to ensure their
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HOT 100 FINALIST financial wellbeing by providing them with personal protection and investment solutions that will them achieve their life goals. Stevens stands out for his professionalism, ability to listen, and leadership. In 2021, Stevens was a contestant on Occupation Double, one of the biggest dating reality shows in Canada. He made history as the first black contestant to win in the program’s 15-season run. He also earned second place as the public’s favorite among the 28 other candidates. The TV show and the documentary aren’t his first experiences in front of the cameras. He participated as a long jumper in an advertisement for the Canada Junior Athletics Games in 2013, a Bell company advertisement for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic games, and above all, he was the understudy of the actor Stephan James, who played
progressing. “I started to play piano during COVID. I love it, I’m getting better and better,” he says. Stevens is excited about having a growing platform that will allow his voice to be heard. As he shares his story, he hopes to promote the importance of perseverance. The ultimate impact he would like to make, given the opportunity to reach his desired audience, is to maintain pure solidarity. Harmony is essential to him.
…Canadian long jump champion two years in a row (2019-2020). the role of the great Jesse Owens in the movie Race. Jesse Owens is Stevens’ biggest inspiration. When asked what young Haitians can do to help Haiti improve, Stevens believes they should educate themselves about the history of Haiti. One way Stevens is currently mentoring young Haitians is by being a proud Haitian male model, inspiring other aspiring Haitian models to follow their dreams. Another way he’s helping is planning trips to Haiti to carry out his humanitarian efforts. Sports, finance, modeling and simply being amazing are not the only things Stevens excels in. He’s also discovered a newfound talent. During the pandemic, he learned to play the piano and is continually
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Powerhouse Social Media Strategist
YVANA ROMELUS
Shares Her Success Story By Martine St. Hilaire and Photos by Sandia Jacques-Mitchell
Y
vana “Thee Mademoiselle” Romelus was born in Islip, Long Island, raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and currently lives in Harrison, New Jersey. She’s a social media influencer, strategist, event host and choreographer.
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She currently produces content on YouTube that examines social issues, dispenses advice, and produces motivates people. She also has a second YouTube channel dedicated to Haitian culture, and a third one dedicated to her personal life. She owns a business called Media Hustle Co. that does influencer marketing, social media strategizing, and management for brands, personal entities and other influencers. Yvana graduated from Bloomfield College with a bachelor’s degree in Communications Broadcast Journalism in 2017 and a master’s degree in Public Relations from Full Sail University in 2019. “Getting my bachelor’s and master’s degrees and building my successful social media/online platforms are two of my greatest accomplishments,” says Yvana. Yvana is already working in asocial media, her dream profession. She’s also passionate about making music and has plans to release a music single by 2023. She’s also working on owning a respected dance studio for underprivileged youth. She’s highly inspired by herself and her past experiences. Yvana believes young Haitians should educate themselves about Haiti’s history, economy, and culture and not rely on broadcast news and gossip. To do her part to guide young Haitians, and as stated previously, Yvana’s YouTube channel educates Haitians and non-Haitians alike about Haiti’s past and present so they can better understand why Haiti’s national condition is the way it is. As a successful social media influencer with over 300,000 YouTube subscribers. Yvana enjoys mentoring aspiring content creators. She’s also a social media business consultant who runs a small black-owned business called Media Hustle Co. that helps people grow their brands online. Amazingly, she’s also a dancer, choreographer, Zumba instructor, and event host.
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HOT 100 FINALIST At Media Hustle, Yvana devises social media strategies to develop her clients’ businesses. She continuously performs in-depth reviews of competitors’ activities and assists companies with ad placements, keyword use, placement bids, and landing pages. She learned how to develop paid client ads for use on diverse social media platforms and helps clients develop website portals and social media pages to promote their businesses. She even builds, implements, and updates effective SEO strategies for her clients. She knows how to maximize strategic approaches by keeping a close eye on performance while making appropriate adjustments.
“I LOVE TALKING TO MY CAMERA FOR A LIVING WHILE CREATING DOPE CONTENT, CONNECTING WITH THE WORLD, AND DEVELOPING SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES FOR EXCEPTIONAL BRANDS,” SHE SAYS. Yvana writes, produces, edits, and schedules all of her daily content on four different social media sites. To create her videos, she researches other video content, keeps up with the latest trends to develop compelling content, adjusts her video and audio equipment to produce optimal video and sound, and develops paid client ads for use on diverse social media platforms. She also maintains a close eye on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube metrics to optimize campaigns based on current trend data. All in all, Yvana is a captivating media personality with significant experience in social media, and video and radio production. She’s wellrounded, experienced, and reliable. She’s committed to expanding her reach in media and entertainment industries.
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Rising Fitness Influencer Markinson Alume Gives Back While Turning Heads By Martine St. Hilaire and Photos by Christopher Harris
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arkinson Alume, a 22-yearold Fort Pierce, Florida native and Tampa resident, is a certified personal trainer and an rising fitness model. He has a deep passion for health and fitness. He’s one of the five finalists in our 2022 Hot 100 Young Haitians contest. Markinson knew he’d be a great candidate for the Haiti Open Hot 100 Young Haitians contest because he’s devoted to his Haitian culture. Though he wasn’t born in Haiti, he’s become assimilated with its culture. He loves the food, the people, the music, and everything about it. “I used to go to Haiti for two months every year to spend my summer vacation there with family and friends,” he says. Markinson believes placing highly in the competition will open doors to more industry opportunities that will, in turn, help him showcase Haiti and its beautiful culture. His goal is to get people to grasp that Haiti is much more than what the media portrays. He’ll do anything in his power to eradicate the negative stigma against Haiti and its culture. Being Haitian has taught Markinson to be humble and grateful for everything he has. Markinson enjoys being a certified personal trainer and has an
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“As Haitians, we must work harder and overcome numerous obstacles that come our way,” he says.
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HOT 100 FINALIST online training business called Alume Fitness. He’s also a freelance fitness model and an rising fitness influencer on social media. He loves what he does, and he loves that he inspires and motivates other people. He aspires to become a top model and get a foothold in the acting industry. Markinson started his training business at age 21. He accumulated over 50,000 followers on Instagram as an influencer in only two months. “I transformed my body within one year and lost over 70 pounds,” he says proudly. In the future, he hopes to open gyms in the United States and Haiti to help Haitian youth learn about the importance of physical health. He intends to do this by having fundraisers and investing in the Haitian community within Haiti. He also wants to increase his follower count on social media so he can be a voice for Haiti and continue being an inspiration to others all around the world. When asked what young Haitians can do to help improve Haiti, Markinson says young Haitians can start breaking generational curses by developing a constructive mindset. “Our country is currently divided,” he says. “We lack unity!” He strongly believes Haiti needs effective leaders to help change its economic crisis and, that change must start with children. He’s also aware of how imperative it is for young Haitians to start groups or organizations that will allow them to be a voice for Haiti. Markinson is personally guiding and mentoring young Haitians by helping the ones in his local and online communities get into physical shape and by teaching them how to develop proper eating habits. If Markinson had an even larger platform to make his voice heard, he would still discuss mental and physical health in Haitian and non-Haitian communities. He continually notices that this issue doesn’t receive enough attention.
The impact he would like to make, given the opportunity to reach his desired audience, is to create small yet effective changes. He would start by promoting a cognitive change in the mindset of Haitian people and their perspective on subjects such as mental health awareness.
For fun, Markinson enjoys traveling and going on spontaneous adventures. He also loves to read and spend time with friends and family. Though he’s a budding fitness influencer, he truly does treat working out as a hobby instead of work.
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LINDA NEGRIEL MODEL NURSE By Alex Popa
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inda Negriel was born and raised in Haiti and moved to the US in 2016. In 2019, she joined the Navy and is now stationed in San Diego, California. While she’s proud of what she’s doing in the Navy, she has big dreams for her return to civilian life. She hopes to become a model, especially since she’s a big fitness enthusiast and has been making great progress in this regard. She’s also about to receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and certification as a Registered Nurse. Linda studied Nursing in Haiti at INUROP and taught Psychiatric Nursing at various nursing schools across the country. Linda also wants to become a public speaker because s h e
believes she has something important to say to the world. What Inspires Her Linda says her biggest inspiration was her adoptive mother, Helene Normil, who loved and supported her unconditionally. It’s thanks to her that Linda is such an overachiever who always strives for greatness in everything she does. Her mother is also the reason why Linda constantly participates in humanitarian events and wants to inspire as many people as possible. But Linda’s life experiences have made her the woman she is today and explain why she wants to become a public speaker. She believes that her experiences are worth sharing. Many people aren’t confident enough, she says. They are depressed and unsatisfied with their current standing in life. Linda knows she can help them because she felt the same way in the past – and came through it. “No matter where you are in life, no matter what you’re going through, you have the power to write the next chapter of your life!” This is the message Linda would share if she had a following. Given the chance, she’d spread that hopeful message in encouraging speeches to let everyone know they can achieve their goals. All it takes is effort,
HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS
“…you have the power to write the next chapter of your life!” discipline, and hard work. Plans for the Future Linda wants to be a model, and she’s been getting positive feedback from people who see her on a daily basis. Fitness is working out well for her, and she has a talent for it. She also wants to open an orphanage in Aux Cayes, Haiti, to provide as much help as possible to the community that raised her. She already contributes much to relief efforts in Haiti after natural disasters but feels she can do much more. And that’s where her confidence comes from. After helping so many people and achieving her goals, her confidence grew naturally. This is what she tells people who ask her for advice. “Never give up, believe in yourself, don’t be ashamed to ask for help,” she says. “Not everyone will say no to you!” In her view, the sky’s the limit regarding what we can do as humans. She believes we can achieve anything, and she wants to be an example of this adage!
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VANESSA CAMILIENPETERSEN SHOWCASING HAITIAN HERITAGE IN JEWELRY By Alex Popa
n her profession and approach to life, Vanessa Camilien-Petersen is creativity personified. Born and raised in Boston, MA, Vanessa moved to South Florida after college and then relocated to Denmark. There, she had a son who turned out to be autistic, which meant she had to be strong to surmount the obstacles in her path. Fortunately, Vanessa doesn’t give up easily.
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er steadfast attitude was borne out of her life circumstances and the birth of her son. She had to adopt new approaches to help her son cope. They were inspired partly by culture, art, and her inner sense of self-affirmation and creativity. She’s not only in love with fashion and jewelry hand-crafting but also a writer for a fashion magazine in Denmark. Is there anything this woman can’t do? What Does She Think About Her Haitian Heritage? Vanessa admits she wasn’t overly optimistic about life in Haiti. However, there’s one thing she’s thankful for. “Growing up Haitian, I became empathetic to every Haitian, and I hope that one day our persevering spirit will prevail.” Haitians were always the underdogs, she says, but they have a lot of potential. They can rise and achieve great things through education and hard work. She would gladly mentor the younger Haitian generation. Vanessa doesn’t think money is the only answer to Haiti’s problems. Poor education, the lack of role models, and weak principles are more important issues to tackle. In Haiti, people like Vanessa can make a difference, and fortunately, she’s willing to put in the time to help its children take a step forward in the world. She even sought out a small business in Haiti that makes the beads she uses in her hand-crafted jewelry. While she has no formal training in jewelry design, her creativity is ever-alive and profound. What Is She Most Proud of? Her biggest pride is her son. Navigating life as a parent and entrepreneur was certainly not easy – but if anything, Vanessa is living proof that it can be done! Her experiences are a testament to the enduring willpower of Haitians. In the future, she plans to further penetrate the Danish market, publish more content in local publications, and sell more jewelry.
Finally, she wants to make an impact on the lives of the people who are watching and listening to her. Vanessa is one of our top Haitian Entrepreneurs of 2022, and we’ve covered her extensively. This bead
artisan has something to say to the people following her. “Don’t let life’s circumstances dictate your drive. Push through life’s lemons and limitations and take the necessary risks. You’ll win, as I did!”
Moving to Denmark and starting a thriving business was challenging but extremely gratifying once she succeeded.
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Ashly Hendrick A Multi-Talented Philanthropist By Alex Popa
“I am certain that my life’s purpose is to take philanthropy to the next level and bring about serious change in my country.”
HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS
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shly Hendrick was born in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in Atlanta, where she plans to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and perhaps become an actress. This 25-year-old is one of the most disciplined and determined people you’ll ever meet. After graduating from Stony Brook University with a degree in Psychology, she completed an online Cornell University program in Female Entrepreneurship. She attributes all her accomplishments to one thing – self-awareness, and the freedom to do as she wants. After struggling for most of her younger years from perfectionism and a lack of self-esteem, she’s glad to say that she’s surmounted those issues. She doesn’t need to prove herself anymore, which has hugely benefitted her career and progress towards her life goals.
her endeavors, which include EverBless Beauty, a self-care line; EverBlessEats, a cooking page; and EverBlessAsh, her brand page. They’re all about helping people in one way or another. Whether she’s recommending healthier meals, helping women take care of themselves, or giving advice drawn from her own life, helping people is her life’s goal. Ashly also prides herself on how she’s learned to love herself the way she is. After many years of struggling with self-esteem issues, she’s finally learned to stabilize herself. Now, she wants to share her story with as many people as possible. Her Haitian heritage is also a constant reminder
of humbleness and gratitude. She realizes that many people are not as fortunate as she is, which constantly drives her to keep helping people. What Are Her Future Goals? Ashly dreams of hosting her own talk show, just like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres, whom she adores. She wants to create a platform where free speech is the cornerstone of intriguing talks, creativity, inspiration, love, and open-mindedness. She wants to give people opportunities by sharing her ideas, and a talk show would be a great step in that direction. If you want to talk to Ashly, check her out at EverBlessAsh on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok!
WHAT IS HER INSPIRATION? As with many interviewees we’ve talked to, Ashly says her biggest inspiration is her mother, who immigrated to the US from Haiti 29 years ago. She had to work extra hard, starting from the bottom to eventually become an ER nurse. Then she started helping the Haitian community by sponsoring schools and even travelling to Haiti with a team of healthcare professionals to help those in need. Ashly says her mother is an example of pure philanthropic drive, and her biggest goal in life is to follow in her mother’s footsteps. “I am deeply inspired by her philanthropy,” she says. “I am certain that my life’s purpose is to take philanthropy to the next level and bring about serious change in my country.” According to Ashly, this desire is the foundation of her enduring willpower!
ACCOMPLISHMENTS SHE’S MOST PROUD OF Ashly feels a giddy rush of euphoria when thinking about helping people. And this is evident in all
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LANGLICHMIE NORMILER Writer, Actor, Philanthropist By Alex Popa
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anglichmie Normiler was born in Haiti and now lives in Miami. She works as a pharmacy technician but is also studying Film Production at Miami Dade College. She hopes to become an entrepreneur and work as a model, filmmaker, actress, and influencer. So far, she’s made great strides towards these ends. Her upcoming book, “Jeune Mystique ou Jeune Vodouisant”, is one of the things she’s most proud of, but she’s also an actress in the Loyal-T Series directed by a fellow Haitian, Robenson Lauvince. Langlichmie says she’s received great support from her Haitian peers and has tried hard to return the favor. For example, she attended the releases of the BOYO documentary by Samuel Dameus and Freda, a film released in 2021 by Gessica Geneus. What Inspires Her? Her greatest inspiration is her mother, Madeleine Sanon. Her “determination, strength, resilience, service, the way she cares about family and friends, her mindset, and her belief have been a model of perfection for all my life.” Langlichmie strongly identifies with her Haitian heritage but she’s also an explorer and humanitarian. She wants to be of service to everyone, not just Haitians! Philanthropy is important to her. Once she achieves her professional goals, she’d like to make a positive impact on other people’s lives. She
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS HER GREATEST INSPIRATION IS HER MOTHER, MADELEINE SANON. did so when she offered support for victims of the Cayes Earthquake on August 21, 2021. She also wants to inspire young Haitians to focus more on education and invest more in themselves. In her view, integrity, tolerance, kindness, independence, and resilience are the greatest traits the young generation should aspire to. Technology is another major advantage the young generation should take advantage of. Langlichmie emphasizes the importance of technology in achieving your dreams. WHAT ARE HER GOALS? One goal she set out to accomplish this year was to publish her book and attract as large an audience as possible. She also aims to create an online platform for her business, Sol Corporation, which is wholly dedicated to helping Haitians manage their money and make their projects a reality. Her Haitian heritage helps her uniquely understand her community, which puts her in a position to help as many people in it as possible. She wants to explore the world and write about it, to go from one corner of the map to another and see what’s out there. Her budding acting, modelling and film production talents are evolving, but it’s her entrepreneurial spirit makes Langlichmie Normiler a cut above the rest. Her philanthropic aspirations put her back among the people she wants to help. You can reach Langlichmie on Instagram at GLICHMIE, on Facebook at NELLY MIA and HAITIAN POWER PRODUCTION, and on her YouTube channels, ANN PALE31 and HAITIAN POWER PRODUCTION. Tune in to see what Langlichmie is doing and follow her journey to find herself!
HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS and the rest of the world and has wanted to change it. His hero was his father, a “model of courage, tenacity and relentless determination”, a hard-working person who gave Kensley a chance at a better life. While Kensley has studied electrical engineering at Coeurs Unis Ecole Professionnelle in Haiti and wants to become an engineer, he has yet to find a job. In the meantime, he’s focusing on growing the nonprofit organization he and his wife started to end hunger and illiteracy and inspire and empower others to help themselves.
KENSLEY JEAN’S PLAN FOR
HAITIAN REJUVENATION K By Alex Popa
ensley Jean was born in Portau-Prince, Haiti, and now lives in the Dominican Republic
with his wife and father. Ever since he was a kid, Jean has been aware of the great disparity between Haiti
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DREAMS & GOALS Kensley has two major goals in life – to become a civil engineer and a graphic designer. He’s a talented painter, drawing artist, and designer and would like to improve his skills. But civil engineering is his main calling. “I’ve always been fascinated with the way things are made and how they join together to create something more complex.” Kensley is a relentless fighter who wants to accomplish everything he sets his mind on, whether it’s civil engineering, graphic design, or helping young Haitians develop marketable skills. But deep down he still entertains the same dream he had as a kid – to help Haiti regain its national dignity. He believes Haiti and its citizens deserve much more than they’re currently getting, and it’s up to him and people like him to do something to create change for the better.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE YOUNG GENERATION Kensley believes the future generations of Haitians hold the country’s stability and future in their hands. That’s why he encourages them to educate themselves, become involved in community work, and implicate themselves in Haiti’s revival as a country. His goal is to inspire and empower the next generation to fend for themselves and act as role models for others.
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Kensley believes the future generations of Haitians hold the country’s stability and future in their hands. “The talents of tomorrow are fostered by the workers of today,” he says, and it’s an adage he wants to follow closely. Just as others helped him when he was young, Kensley wants to continue the tradition and restore Haiti’s dignity by fostering its children’s potential. This, in his opinion, is the best thing he can do for his country. WHAT’S NEXT FOR KENSLEY JEAN? Kensley would like to keep working on his nonprofit and try to become a civil engineer. The thought of building something from nothing appeals to him more than anything. Working in industrial settings and putting his mind to work grabs his attention immediately. If you want to reach Kensley Jean, contact him on Instagram at “mrkensleyjean” or Facebook at “mrkensleyjean”. He’s always ready to interact with his audience.
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS How Does She Represent Her Haitian Heritage? Alexandrina is one of those select Haitians who truly understands
She won the prestigious Telly Award for best direction for her feature documentary film, “One Life to Blossom.”
the resilience of her people. “No matter what anyone says or does, I will make it because I believe in myself. I refuse to listen and give up on myself.” Some of her greatest
ALEXANDRINA ANDRE AWARD-WINNING FILM DIRECTOR By Alex Popa
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lexandrina Andre is an actress, writer, and award-winning film director. Her professional life is satisfying, according to her. She gets to portray life through film, and she’s also raising awareness for some concerning societal issues. It’s something she could call a “dream life.” Alexandrina was largely inspired by her mother, whom she describes as “the hardest worker I know.” Her Haitian heritage is also a source of pride, and her character was built upon the legendary resilience and fortitude of her ancestors. She’s a human activist and advocate who believes all human beings should be treated equally and with respect.
accomplishments have happened precisely because she didn’t give up. The directing and debut of her first feature film, graduating with the MFA in film, and winning a Telly Award were achievable because she believed in herself. When asked about what Haitians can do to help improve the country, she says: “I truly believe that more young Haitian Americans need to be more vocal about their heritage to the media and the world. We need a more positive representation of the country.” There aren’t many Haitian filmmakers, but she’s one of them. This is something she’s proud of, but she admits she’s not doing enough
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to help the Haitian community. She wants to better protect the rights of the Haitian diaspora and to teach them more about how to succeed in America.
HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTER, CHAMPION OF THE UNDERSERVED Alexandrina sees herself as a human rights activist who needs to fight for the rights of the underserved and forgotten. She feels she’s in a position where her actions can make a difference, so she has an obligation to make a change. She wants to keep sharing stories of women from marginalized communities, to be vocal about the obstacles they deal with, and to be the voice that so many people need. If she were to have an audience to address, she’d promote empathy and kindness. To her, kindness is essential in a world that has become devoid of human empathy and understanding. Through her films, she makes it easy to see the world from a different point of view, in someone else’s shoes, and to understand what they’re going through. If you want to contact her, she can be found on Instagram at “@ alexandrina.adre” or on Facebook at “Alexandrina Andre”. She’s a special woman with a unique perspective on life and a very hands-on approach. She never ignores an opportunity to do good, and we appreciate her for that!
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS
JALEN “JAY” BRANNON A DJ WITH AN EYE ON TOMORROW
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By Alex Popa
alen Brannon, or as he likes to be called, Jay, is a spirited young man with a passion for music. The business has always appealed to Jay, and he’s been DJing since he was 13 years old. He says music is his biggest source of inspiration, the one thing that helps him push boundaries and tap into his creative potential. Born in Queens NY and a current citizen of Delaware, Jalen is a sophomore at Wilmington University, where he is pursuing a degree in Psychology, focusing on behavioral analysis. Becoming a psychologist is just one of his dreams, as he’s a man of many interests who has much to learn and strive for. Aspiring DJ and Psychologist Janel’s biggest goal is to become an international DJ and spread Haitian music to everyone. “We have so much to offer,” he says. “But oftentimes we don’t get the platform we need to adequately showcase our talents.” Becoming an international DJ would be his dream job, but he has other passions as well. He seeks to open a psychology practice where he can safeguard his community’s mental and physical health. He now works as an insurance agent, but is on the verge of transitioning to psychology and becoming an RBT. He looks forward to supporting kids on the autism spectrum. He’s even set a goal to round out his DJ equipment and connect with other DJs, promoters, and artists within the next 12 months.
He’d also like to travel and see the world, which would provide inspiration for his musical career and professional life. Does Being Haitian Inspire Him? What Would He Advise Young Haitians? No matter what comes, he’s ready for it. His Haitian heritage has also helped him understand that there are opportunities everywhere. Using his skills and intellect, he will use these opportunities to improve himself and grow further. Cultural appreciation, education, and unity are the three things that he would instill in the minds of the younger Haitian generation. He’s aware that Haiti can only improve through the collective efforts of its citizens and cultural awareness. This is what he seeks to achieve through his music: to bring Haitian culture to the world. He wants the world to know that Haiti isn’t just a poverty-stricken island in the Caribbean. It’s also a place of enormous cultural wealth endowed with rich traditions, great music, delicious foods, and optimistic people. Over the years, Jalen has participated in several Haitian fundraising campaigns that support these causes. You can reach him at “_ djtremorjayy” on Instagram and at Janel TremorJayy Brannon on Facebook. He’s a young man with big dreams and a capacity for doing good that many could learn from. We’re sure that his skills and abilities will give him what he deserves!
Jay acknowledges that being Haitian has endowed him with a certain resilience and mental fortitude. HaitiOpen.com | Summer 2022 67 «
HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS discipline, he was eventually granted a scholarship to play football in the US.
WHAT MOTIVATES EDLIN ST. VIL? Edlin has managed to find a middle ground between chasing an unhealthy, destructive obsession and a beneficial pursuit. But he doesn’t apply this mindset only to football. In his studies, Edlin succeeds phenomenally when he directs his efforts constructively. Talent is, after all, not a recipe for success if you don’t use it and leave it untapped. This young man has achieved a state of mind that many of us never do. With discipline, he managed to avoid distractions and focus on what was truly important to him at the time: football. After countless sacrifices, he got to live his dream of playing soccer in the US. This goes to show that with enough effort, anyone can achieve their dreams if they play their cards right. Success is a great motivator, but success comes only after you put in the effort, time, and sacrifices. Edlin understands that this applies to anything, including the improvement of Haiti, his home country.
STRIVING FOR PEAK FITNESS WITH
EDLIN ST. VIL By Alex Popa
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dlin St. Vil is a young man from Camp-Perrin, Haiti, who is now studying at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. In our interview with him, he was exceptionally clear about one thing: he’s passionate about football and fitness. He’s loved football since he was a small kid, playing around with his friends. He wasn’t good at the sport, but wanted to improve. And his desire became an obsession. It’s something he describes as “a great substitute for talent, because talent is not a driving force.” He realized that to be good at something, he had to sacrifice other things. And that’s what he did. Through persistence, willpower, and
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He realized that to be good at something, he had to sacrifice other things. HOPES FOR THE FUTURE Edlin is also a fitness enthusiast, and his body proves it. He dreams of opening a fitness center in Les Cayes, Haiti, to instill a love for fitness in the young generation of Haitian children and promote a code of ethics and discipline that can serve as the core of a happy life. Sticking with a routine is tough work, but Edlin makes it work by being disciplined and by visioning his success. Long-term gratification, in his view, is what matters most and what young kids should strive for. To Edlin, fitness is the embodiment of patience leading to results. Hard work will eventually pay off. He’s confident the new Haitian generation will be able to help Haiti grow because the country is on the brink of a technological revolution. They have access to technologies that past Haitian generations couldn’t even dream of. As such, their ability to do good is “larger than life itself,” says Edlin. He hopes to play a small role in Haiti’s development when he establishes his fitness center. If you’re interested in contacting Edlin, you can find him on Instagram at “saintvil.edlin” or Facebook at Edlin Saint Vil Fried. We wish him good luck in his future endeavors!
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS
BENDINGTOSUCCESS
CONTORTIONIST SHANNONE H’ TAÏNA HENRIQUEZ By Alex Popa
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hannone H’Taïna Henriquez was born in Bassin-Bleu, in Port de Paix, Haiti. Now, she lives in Portau-Prince and works as a professional photographer. At only 24 years old, Shannone can be said to be wholly independent and confident in her stature in life. She’s fairly successful as a photographer, and also has extensive experience as a dancer. Dancing has also brought about a unique goal for her – contortionism. Shannone hopes to become a famous contortionist in Haiti and beyond. She also wants to promote her professional dances and become popular around the world for her contortionist skills. This is one of her biggest dreams, and also why she’s very passionate about dancing and fitness. WHAT INSPIRED HER TO DREAM BIG?
The 24-year-old young lady says her parents were a big inspiration for her. The way they raised her and supported her in her every endeavor is something she’ll never forget. Another source of inspiration was herself, ironically. She was always a dynamic person with lots
of interests that she pursued to exhaustion. Dance came naturally to her, since she had a natural talent for it. She then discovered her body was also quite flexible, and that’s when contortionism came up! To her, contortionism is her way of making herself seen in the world, the one thing that makes her truly stand out. Gaining popularity and becoming famous for it can only be described as an innocent and understandable
“It’s all about willpower and hard work!”
“When everyone says you can’t do something, prove them wrong. It’s all about willpower and hard work!” This seems to hold true for her, and her life is marked by moments of success brought about by hard work and willpower. Her foremost interest is to promote her contortionism and dancing skills. That’s what she would do with a growing audience – popularize herself and make herself famous. She’s also interested in becoming a makeup artist and maybe even a fashion designer. Shannone already has an artistic flair due to her photography experience, so fashion design would be a fitting gig. As for practical advice for Haitian youngsters, she emphasizes education and hard work as the primary engines of progress and success. These two elements are far more important than talent. Even someone without talent can achieve success through hard work and education, she says. That’s because talented people often get sidetracked and become overconfident in their innate skills. You can contact Shannon H’Taïna Henriquez at “ashcivil. lapoupette” on Facebook and at “Ash Lapoupette” on YouTube. She also has an Instagram account, “ashlapoupette”. We’re sure she’ll achieve her dreams in life!
wish. Shannone may not write history as a contortionist, but she certainly wouldn’t mind some accolades.
HOW WOULD SHE INFLUENCE HER AUDIENCE?
We asked her how she would interact with her audience once she grows one. “I would encourage my audience to follow their dreams no matter what,” she says.
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS
YVELAINE ALEXANDRE Boutique Consultant Extraordinaire By Alex Popa
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velaine Alexandre is a daughter, sister, and proud owner of a boutique business consulting firm. Aside from her entrepreneurial spirit, she’s also attained a rare level of intellectual and emotional maturity. Her adage in life is believing in yourself and taking care of your mental health, a realization that’s brought Yvelaine great happiness and personal satisfaction. Yvelaine was born in New Rochelle, New York, and now lives in Deerfield Beach, Florida. But her family is Haitian and immigrated to the US before Yvelaine was born. She acknowledges her Haitian heritage and says growing in two cultures has given her a unique perspective on the world.
WHAT INSPIRES YVELAINE? Family is essential to Yvelaine. Her mother and sister occupy an important place in her heart for raising her, despite all the hardships and obstacles they endured while living as a Haitian immigrant in the US. “I watched these two women persevere with such grace and class,” says Yvelaine. “I gained my strength from them, my courage, my fight, my determination.” While she deeply loves her mother and sister, she admits she wasn’t always a good listener. Now she realizes that there was a cultural disparity between them. She was living an American lifestyle, but her mother and sister had lived in Haiti for much of their lives. Adjusting to a new culture is never easy, and now she deeply understands that it wasn’t for her mother and sister, either. “Aligning the morals and values that my Haitian family held while trying to establish my identity in the American culture has truly shaped me,” says Yvelaine, who today sees the world through two lenses, one American, and one Haitian. WHAT ARE HER GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS? Yvelaine is an example of shining modesty and entrepreneurial spirit. She’s the owner of The Curator Consulting Group, a boutique consulting firm that helps entrepreneurs, start-ups and existing businesses achieve their business goals. She and her team work on their clients’ brand identities, influencing, and implementation of start-up boutique businesses, among other things. She’s also a certified yoga instructor, but she doesn’t let these accomplishments go to her head. If anything, her greatest achievement is herself. “Where I am in life as I write this, I am my greatest accomplishment and I’m not even done growing, learning, absorbing, and seeking just yet!” When we asked Yvelaine what advice she’d give the young
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“I’m not done growing, learning, absorbing, and seeking just yet!” generation, she emphasized selfconfidence and self-belief. Mental health, fortitude, discipline, and self-love are immensely important to her and have defined the person she is today. It isn’t easy to be split between two worlds like she was, but Yvelaine never allowed herself to be anything less than what she deserves. If she’d say anything to her audience, it’s to allow yourself to be whatever you envision yourself. Setting safe boundaries is important when attempting new things but stepping out of the box can result in great accomplishments, too. Yvelaine Alexandre is a great example of the self-confidence and discipline it takes to do just that!
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SUPPORTING HAITI THROUGH FILMMAKING
JEAN-RENÉ RINVIL By Alex Popa
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ean-René Rinvil was born and raised in Fouche, GrandGoave, Haiti until he was twelve. His family emigrated to the US, to Miami, Florida, after the revolution against former Haitian president Jean-Claude Duvalier. Living through this harrowing period and after hearing and seeing so much bad news about Haiti fostered a sense of justice in young Jean. He promised himself he’d be the one behind the camera, showing the reality of Haiti as it’s experienced by its citizens. His dream became true several years later when he became a news editor for Miami’s Channel 7 Fox News station. But on the side, he was doing independent investigations and pursuing a filmmaking career.
STUDIES & PROFESSION Jean-René graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications. He also completed a Master of Fine Arts in film, social media, and art from the School of Art Institute of Chicago. Currently, he is a media producer at a well-known healthcare company and a Konpa dance instructor at Danse Konpa, a company he founded in 2011. Jean also has an online store on Etsy (rinvilart) where he sells clothes mainly inspired by Haitian designs. He’s a proud Haitian who’s not afraid to show his roots and take pride in his national heritage. “The history of my people inspires me,” he says. ACCOMPLISHMENTS & GOALS Jean-René’s accomplishments include winning the “Culture Clash” Best Documentary Film award at the Haiti Movie Awards with his graduate thesis film, “Lavichè”. The film was also featured in the SAIC newspaper in Chicago. He also won several awards for his mental health film “Healing a Nation/Twoub Mantal”. In his more than twenty years of filmmaking and investigative reporting, Jean has worked on countless projects about mental health, cultural disparities, sexual assault, and more. In the future, he wants “Healing a Nation” to be shown at screenings worldwide. He wants to talk about mental health in the Haitian community and see where he can help. Finally, he wants to participate in art exhibitions and even get his own show at a local museum. The artist
“As an artist, my dream remains to make a strong and long-lasting impact in my community.” in him is trying to get out, after all!
HIS ADVICE FOR FUTURE HAITIAN GENERATIONS Students in Haiti often lack basic technologies like tablets, laptops, and equipment. He believes Haitian students in the US could create school coalitions to provide financial and practical assistance to students in Haiti. As for his own involvement, for many years Jean has been a part of OREZON, an organization that provides mental health services to the local populace and educates them about protecting the environment. He wants to do more for Haiti, though. Through his filmmaking, he believes the world can see what Haitians are truly capable of. They’re not just destitute and tragic victims of history. They’re wonderful people with a keen sense of creativity and artistic freedom. If given the chance, he would highlight this reality through his films.
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What Is Modeling to
SANDRA AUGUSTIN By Alex Popa
S
andra Augustin was born and raised in Miami, and currently lives there. Her parents came to the US from Haiti, and Sandra is grateful for the many opportunities she has in the US. Her daughter is her biggest inspiration and the reason why she keeps pushing herself to work harder and harder every day. Sandra wants to become a model, star in movies, and hone her talent as a content creator. She’s already taken a few baby steps in this direction, having starred in a Popeyes commercial. The next item on her agenda is to star in a movie or show. She says she’s ready to do whatever it takes to be noticed by the leading directors!
EDUCATION & GOALS Sandra got a BA in Theatre from Florida Atlantic University and an MBA in Management from Nova Southeastern University. Currently, she’s working as an account manager and model, as has status as a SAG-eligible actress. She’s living a great life doing something she loves, but she’s still not “there” yet. The entertainment industry is “a place filled with obstacles but also with unimaginable opportunities ripe for the taking,” she says. She wants to continue acting and modeling to reach peak popularity. One of her biggest accomplishments was working as the rapper Megan Thee Stallion’s stand-in for Popeyes’ Hottie Sauce commercial. “It was like a dream come true,” she recalls. “I’ve heard so much about Megan and I was ecstatic when I had the chance to meet her. The experience was a fantastic start for me, and I look forward to doing more stuff like this in the future.” WHAT IS HER ADVICE TO YOUNG HAITIANS? Sandra says education, determination, and pragmatism are the three things that successful people need. She’s clear about young generations needing to learn more about being determined but pragmatic when necessary. Education is the basis of any functional person in society and the foundation of success. Without education, you can’t have anything, according to Sandra.
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Sandra says education, determination, and pragmatism are the three things that successful people need. She fully supports charitable and non-profit organizations that help schools and orphanages in Haiti and plans to promote the country through social media. The latter is growing daily, and so is the requirement to create compelling content. Sandra wants to become one of the best models in the entertainment industry, and we believe she has what it takes. Our interview with her went very well and we wish her the best in her future endeavors. We fully support her and are genuinely looking forward to her success! If you want to have a word with Sandra Augustin, you can do so on her Instagram at “Classicwoman” or her Facebook page at “Sandra Augustin”.
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ELFRANTZ LEON Making the Music Happen By Alex Popa
LIFE GOALS If you’d have asked him what his goals were a couple of years back, he’d have said he wanted to be a lawyer. But he had to give up on that dream to help his little brother go to college and become a lawyer. His hard work paid off in the end, and he admits this is the biggest accomplishment in his life. He’s most proud of helping his brother achieve his dreams! As for personal goals, Elfrantz wants to become a renowned manager for artists in the Afrobeats music genre. His extensive experience as a booking manager will make his journey much easier. He also sees himself working as a model or clothing designer for worldwide brands like Versace, Dior, or Gucci. His physical shape and taste in clothing certainly warrant such dreams! He also sees himself working as a personal trainer, owning his own gym, and teaching people about healthy living. He says he’d promote the healthy life habits that helped him get to where he is today. How Would He Impact His Audience if Given the Chance? Elfrantz doesn’t hesitate to say that, if given a large enough audience, he would promote hard work, discipline, and a healthy lifestyle. In his view, Haitian models, entrepreneurs, and artists have much more to offer to the world, and they only need a push. He sees himself as a catalyst for the advance of the Haitian industry.
…hard work, discipline, and a healthy lifestyle…
Being both a certified personal trainer and booking agent, he could have a substantial impact on the lives of many people. Whether they’re budding artists, singers, painters, or people looking for a healthier lifestyle, Leon can help them. In fact, getting his own platform and audience would be a dream come true for Elfrantz. He wants to make a positive impact on people’s lives, and this is the only way he can do it.
E
lfrantz Leon was born in Verretes, Haiti, and now lives in the Dominican Republic. He’s a booking manager for the Haitian music industry and helps budding artists get in touch with managers and other artists. His artistic personality has multiple outlets, as he’s also an aspiring artist, model, and clothing designer, and paints on the side.
Who inspires him? Elfrantz says he doesn’t have a specific source of inspiration that paved the way for him. Instead, he says he enjoys the freedom of being an artist because it allows him to dream big, without limitations. His free-thinking lifestyle suits him, considering how he’s a bona fide painter. He says he’ll keep investing in himself and build more experience to achieve his dreams. It was a real pleasure interviewing him, and we wish him the best of luck in whatever he sets out to do in the future!
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JALY STUVE JOSEPH
Cooking Up a Career in Gastronomy By Alex Popa
J
aly Stuve Joseph was born in Portau-Prince and currently lives in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic. His best quality, in his view, is his creativity, which he expresses best in the kitchen. Joseph is a cook – and a very good one. He says he’s been inspired by his mother, a single mother and entrepreneur who managed to do everything right. Joseph is a private chef but wants to open his own restaurant. Interestingly, he didn’t always want to be a cook. He wanted to be a doctor before gastronomy stole his heart. These days, he’s perfectly happy in the kitchen and says he wouldn’t change his job for anything in the world.
What Are His Biggest Accomplishments?
Joseph showed great humility during our interview. While he says he has few big achievements, he’s proud of his win at Master Chef Dominican Republic 2022. He was also invited to appear on multiple RD television shows, for which he is very grateful. He’s far from finished with learning about cooking, though. One of his long-term goals is to do more in-depth studies of gastronomy, such as molecular cuisine. He wants to own an internationallyrenowned restaurant and eventually to buy his mother the house she’s always dreamed of. His restaurant is already in the works – he estimates it’ll be ready to open within a year. His talent in the kitchen is overshadowed only by his desire to learn and improve. Despite all the accolades he’s received, Joseph is still the same humble person he always was. His Advice to Haitian Youngsters His foremost advice to the upcoming Haitian generation is
Education is everything, in Joseph’s view.
to get an education. Education is everything, in Joseph’s view. Without education, you can’t access even basic opportunities, let alone more complex ones. Next, Joseph believes young people should learn how to manage their time and finances. He believes financial education is a key component to success in life. For the people watching him,
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he had this to say: “I would like my platform to reach all age groups. Strive to educate yourself, don’t discriminate, learn to love, and learn to better manage your money. With these things, you will reach success!” He’s a simple and honest guy who does everything he can to help others. Whether it’s helping someone to pay the rent or school expenses, he’s there when his friends need him!
Talents and Hobbies
Jaly is an exceptionally talented cook, but he’s also passionate about dance. He also enjoys going to the gym, reading, and watching movies. But cooking will always remain his favorite activity. If you want to contact Jaly, you can find him “iamstuve”, “chefjaly_ stuve”, and “anraje_hit” on Instagram. His Facebook account is “Jaly Stuve JOSEPH”. Feel free to check him out!
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N
aësha Joanna was born in Montreal, Canada, and still lives there. She’s a lifestyle influencer, boutique owner, vlogger, and certified paralegal. She’s studying criminology at the University of Montreal and is passionate about the subject. But Naësha acknowledges that the entertainment industry has always been a big goal for her. She feels like she belongs there, being her own boss and entertaining people.
EDUCATION & PROFESSION Naësha graduated from college with a degree in law and justice and she’s a certified paralegal. However, she doesn’t yet work in the industry. Instead, she’s a content creator and entertainer, an influencer on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. She works with brands like Shein and various Haitian-owned businesses. Naësha also participates in comedy shows and movies. Back in May 2022, she landed her first movie role. She shot her scenes in June 2022, and the movie is in post-production, waiting to be put together for release. Her boutique, Naësha’s Boutique, is popular in her area. She sells durags, bonnets, and wigs, products that are especially popular among her Haitian clientele. In the next 12 months, Naësha wants to further hone her skills as an actress and take part in multiple productions. Modeling seems like a good idea to her because she’s been passionate about it for years. “Modeling seems like a good fit for me because I take care of my body and I believe I deserve a spot on the runway.” She says her ability to model and act are the two greatest gifts she’s received.
ENCOURAGING HAITIAN CHILDREN Naësha wants her voice to be heard. She wants to promote national pride to young Haitian kids. “They shouldn’t be ashamed of where they’re from. They need to show the world that Haiti is not just natural
Between Criminology & Entertainment with
NAËSHA JOANA
PERRIER ANTOINE
By Alex Popa
education gives you more options and chances to succeed. This is what Naësha’s life and own experience has taught her. “The young generation needs to understand that they have it better than us. They have a technological advantage we didn’t have. There’s good information everywhere to be found. You just have to want to find it!” Finally, Naësha wants to promote Haiti for its beautiful culture, history, and people. Many Haitians are artists, they thrive in artistic professions, and they want more from life. Similarly, so many Haitian children have dreams and want to pursue them because it makes them happy. They’ll have more chances to do this if people like Naësha act as a role model for them. Seeing someone else from the same background succeed is a great motivator. You can contact Naësha Joanna on Instagram at “naeshajoanna” or TikTok at “@naeshajoanna.”
In her view, education is the catalyst for a successful life. disasters and other tragedies. We’re wonderful people who can achieve so much more!” She wants them to go to school, learn, and get an education to have more chances to achieve success. In her view, education is the catalyst for a successful life. While you may not succeed at first,
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REPRESENTING HAITI
RUGGERY ROSELIN By Alex Popa
R
uggery Roselin is a native of Cap-Haitien, where he lives today. He’s a graduate of Institut des Hautes Etudes Commerciales et Economiques (IHECE), where he studied management. Currently, he’s a manager at a logistics company and is satisfied with his accomplishments thus far. He hopes to serve as a model for young Haitians that have no direction.
WHAT IS HIS INSPIRATION? Ruggery admits that living in Haiti can be frustrating and debilitating to one’s self-image. That’s because life there isn’t always easy, and negative comments about the country are endless. This can seriously affect a child’s self-esteem and crush any desire to move forward in life. But Ruggery emphasizes that Haitians are strong and resilient and that their ability to see the positive side of things is amazing. He’s always been “driven by self-value and positivity, to the commitment of becoming the best version of myself and chasing my dreams.” He also says no one is ultimately bound to their environment. The possibility of a better life is always there. All you need to do is grasp it and never let go. That’s what he did, and it was one of the best decisions he ever made. Ruggery’s mother is one of his biggest sources of inspiration. As a single parent, she had to face incredible odds and make countless sacrifices. Still, she managed to raise her son in a healthy environment, which Ruggery says is “purely indescribable.” She was a role model for him, all the way up until adulthood. In his spare time, Ruggery can be found hitting the gym or the basketball court. Sports have always appealed to him, and he’s been giving his all to improve his fitness. What Does the Young Haitian Generation Need to Do to Succeed? Ruggery was once part of the young Haitian generation, so he knows first-hand what they have to deal with. The lack of role models is the first problem he underlines. Young Haitian children are not shown examples of people who grew up in the same environment and succeeded. Without believing in the benefits of change, no one will change, he says. Ruggery also believes that Haitian young people need better financial education. Money drives today’s world, and if you don’t know how to make it or manage it, you won’t
…no one is ultimately bound to their environment. The possibility of a better life is always there. succeed, according to Ruggery. Being smart with your money brings endless benefits, and this is a lesson that today’s generation needs to learn. Lastly, Ruggery is a strong believer in the Haitian community. He wants to give back as much as possible and he encourages others to do the same. But what about the upcoming generations? They need someone to support them and show them the way. This is what Ruggery Roselin thinks is necessary for the betterment of Haiti as a whole. You can reach Ruggery Roselin on Instagram at “ruggyrich” or on Facebook at “ruggy”.
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Maximum Patriot
Thaïna Fleurantin By Alex Popa
Everything about Haiti is something she’s deeply attached to. Whether it’s the atmosphere, the friendly people, the smell of coffee in the morning, or the charm of the country life, Thaïna says she wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. “The country is still alive, even if many things could destroy it at an instant. But right now, it’s more alive than ever, and I love that feeling,” she says.
“The country is still alive, even if many things could destroy it at an instant.”
T
haïna Fleurantin is one of the most patriotic people we’ve ever met. Her heartfelt impression of Haiti and its citizens is profound and inspirational, especially to the young generation. She was born in Léogâne but raised in Port-au-Prince. She still hasn’t left the country because it’s left such an indelible impression on her.
WHY IS SHE SO ENAMORED WITH HAITI? We Thaïna asked what makes her love Haiti so much, and we certainly didn’t expect her answer. Thaïna speaks about Haiti in terms of endearment and attachment in ways we haven’t been accustomed to hearing when our people talk about their country. She strongly believes Haitians are some of the most beautiful, kind, and resilient people in the world and deserve everything good the world has to offer. Most importantly, Haitians are humble. They make do with what they have, no matter what it is. Thaïna admits that most Haitians she knows are never down for too long. They get up, rethink their situation, and find that one bit of optimism that others can’t see. “Haitians are born this way,” she says. “They are like a reed, easily bendable but never broken in the face of adversity.” She believes the new generation of Haitians should invest more in the country, financially and personally. But she also admits that there aren’t enough organizations to guide children in doing the right thing.
Role models are scarce, so only recruits and successful Haitians can play a part in the revival of Haiti.
WHAT ARE HER FUTURE PLANS? Thaïna works in marketing and models in her spare time. For a time, she was the official face of 7Up, and she’s also worked with many influential people. There are many opportunities ripe for the taking, according to Thaïna, but you need to put in the effort to find them. And even if you find them, someone else who’s worked harder may take it away from you, she says. In the future, she wants to give her all to helping Haiti in any way she can. For now, she’s established an association named Haiti Pam with several of her friends. They donate clothes, books, and food to those in need from Haiti. It’s not much, she says, but it’s a start, and even the smallest bit of help can benefit someone immensely. Thaïna is also very protective of Haitians and doesn’t like how others only see Haitians as poor and damned. They’re so much more than that, and she wants Haitian children to prove themselves to the world. As for her, she wants to make her own clothing line and become a professional photographer.
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Between Nursing and Art with
DUNE DUNY DUBÉ D
By Alex Popa
une Duny Dubé is a HaitianAmerican artist based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She graduated from college with an Associate in Arts degree and is currently working to expand her portfolio. Despite her formal education, Dune says her artistic prowess is mainly self-taught. She’s put much time and effort into building and improving her painting skills. After all, she says, a good work ethic can take your endeavors to the next level. She applies this principle to
everything in her life— her hobbies, career, and other ambitions. She also says her Haitian background inspires her worldview and values. Dune has great respect for the Haitian community and culture. “Haitians are hard-working people, and we go after what we want. One thing about us is we’re not lazy. We are persistent and consistent.” LIFE GOALS AND AMBITIONS Dune is not just a talented young artist. She’s also interested in the well-being of her community.
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That’s why she hopes to become a registered nurse. Dune believes you don’t have to compromise between your calling and passion. She has great ambitions both as a health worker and as an artist: “My dream profession is nursing, but I also want to become not only a well-known artist that shares and sells my work.” Her love for art doesn’t stop at just painting. Dune is also a gifted singer and has an interest in acting and modeling. She believes that art in all its forms is important. For Dune, art reflects effort, dedication, and cultural enrichment, qualities she feels are no longer appreciated. When Dune makes it big, she hopes to use her voice to support other unrecognized artists fighting their way to the top, “We focus too much on popularity and praise the bare minimum. I want to give those who are hard-working and talented a chance to be seen and appreciated for what they do.”
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS
Education, respect for community and culture, civic duty, and resourcefulness are all qualities Dune finds important for young, upand-coming Haitians. HEARTFELT ADVICE FOR HAITIAN YOUTH Dune is proud of her Haitian heritage and believes the Haitian community has great potential. Most importantly, Dubé believes Haitian youth will play a crucial role in the future development of Haiti and Haitian culture. “I think the best thing young Haitians can do to help Haiti is to stay in school, volunteer to help clean the streets, respect each other, help each other, and focus on creating rather than just destroying what’s left.” Education, respect for community and culture, civic duty, and resourcefulness are all qualities Dune finds important for young, upand-coming Haitians. Dune holds on to these values and always does her best to help Haiti in whatever way she can. She supports the civic well-being of the Haitian people by always finding time to donate to organizations trying to help Haiti.
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WORKING OUT AND WORKING FOR A BETTER HAITI WITH
SYDNEY EUGENE By Alex Popa
S
ydney Eugene is a young Haitian-American model living in Naples, Florida. Her parents are natives of Port au Prince. Sydney has had contact with her native Haitian culture through her parents and through visiting Haiti. Seeing Haiti helped her fall in love with the language, culture, and people. Sydney now wants more than ever to help her fellow Haitians and stay connected to her heritage. Her experiences as a first-generation Haitian-American and as an American citizen have helped her develop a deeper appreciation for her origins, circumstances, and accomplishments. Currently a college senior, Sydney is looking forward to pursuing her professional goals and making a name for herself in the world. She also wishes all her fellow Haitians could enjoy equal opportunities to reach their life goals and dreams. “Education is very important,” she says. “I hope to bring free education to the kids of Haiti. It is important to focus on the resources that Haiti has.”
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FUTURE GOALS Sydney is currently a senior at Florida Southern College majoring in Exercise Science, a topic close to her heart. After finishing her studies, Sydney plans to become a physician assistant for a sports team. She says
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she discovered her sporty side early on. She laughs while mentioning one of her big early accomplishments: playing on the boys’ basketball team. Besides her love of sport, Sydney is also interested in modeling. She’s already working gigs for smaller companies but hopes to go even
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS
Sydney believes it’s important to remain practical, saying that Haitians should invest more in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and housing. further, perhaps by becoming a recognized model and traveling the world to do her work. Sydney is confident that things on that front are on the upswing, as she’s already worked with recognized brands such as Juicy Couture. But Sydney doesn’t just think about professional goals. She’s also interested in activism and future socio-political developments in Haiti, two topics she follows closely. CHANGES SHE HOPES TO SEE IN HAITI When asked about her hopes for Haiti, Sydney is optimistic. She says the first steps we can all take to support Haiti are volunteering, donating, and increasing awareness about Haiti’s problems through other forms of activism. On the political front, Sydney hopes to see more political transparency, the use of Haitian Creole as an official language in formal institutions, and greater political literacy among Haitian citizens. She believes it’s important to remain practical, saying that Haitians should invest more in education, infrastructure, healthcare, and housing. Sydney believes all Haitians should strive to shine a light on the natural beauty of Haiti. In spite of Haiti’s troubled reputation, she says the country and its culture have a lot to offer.
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A MODELING NURSE
JOANNE ALEXANDRE By Alex Popa
�
oanne Alexandre is a HaitianAmerican model from Massachusetts. Though she was born and raised in the USA as a second-generation immigrant, she considers herself a Haitian through and through. Her parents, born and raised in Haiti, held onto their culture even after moving to the US, a fact for which Joanne is very grateful. To this day, Joanne maintains her pride in her Haitian heritage and actively participates in humanitarian efforts to support the Haitian people.
HAITIAN ROOTS AND WORLDVIEW Joanne’s appreciation for Haiti began at home. Her parents, first-generation immigrants raised her and her siblings within the spirit of Haitian culture. She describes memories of her home life with a smile on her face. For Joanne, her heritage is more than just a relic of the old generation. She considers her Haitian upbringing a very important part of her life: “The culture you grow up with helps shape who you are,”, she says. She appreciates the focus that Haitians place on family, respect, hard work, resilience, and healthy pride. These values and cultural attitudes have shaped her worldview and approach to different challenges she’s had to face. “Being Haitian gives me an additional lens through which to see the world and navigate life decisions,” she says. “I’m thankful to have that perspective.”
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS EDUCATION AND CAREER Joanne graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She plans to use her academic knowledge to pursue a real estate qualification but says her true passion is art and beauty. This domain is where she feels truly herself as a creative person. That’s why she dreams of pursuing a serious modeling career, alongside becoming a certified aesthetic nurse. Joanne wishes to transform her love for beauty into a longterm profession by creating art and helping others achieve their aesthetic goals. She’s already kick-started her modeling career. One of her proudest accomplishments was to get her modeling work published and participating in her first beauty pageant in 2019. ADVICE FOR FELLOW HAITIANS Joanne considers her Haitian heritage a blessing. She tries to keep in touch with her culture and always wants to learn about new social and political developments in Haiti. She and her family have been participating in
Joanne’s appreciation for Haiti began at home.
humanitarian efforts for a long time. Joanne and her mother regularly donate goods to Haitians in need, but she’d like to do more and hopes to see meaningful change. She says her most useful advice for fellow Haitians is to invest more in their mental health. This would help new generations flourish. “Researchers say young people in Haiti are especially vulnerable to psychological distress due to their chronic exposure to stressful life events. I believe a healthy mind is the foundation from which all else good springs.” She considers that lack of mental health awareness, stigma, and unavailability of medical services have been long-ignored issues, and it’s time for this to change.
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I
sebervenda Bienneston was born in Haiti, in the Gonaives, and now lives in Florida. Her parents were Haitian immigrants who moved to the US when she was very young. The transition, although a cultural shock, has been welcomed by the young Isebervenda as a new opportunity to make something of her life. Today she’s a model who’s appeared in two French magazines and a student at the Galen College of Nursing. Her future looks bright! WHAT INSPIRES HER? Her greatest source of inspiration is her father. “My father taught me how to be the best version of myself and never look back,” she says. “He taught me that life is all about balance, discipline, and generosity.” Her father helped her mindset evolve throughout the years. His advice will forever remain with her, paving her path forward. Another inspiration is her Haitian heritage, which gives her a positive outlook on the world. Family traditions are critical to her, and she still remembers the way things were done in Haiti. She learned to be humble, forgiving, and optimistic while living in Haiti, and these lessons have led to her an openminded adult personality.
Perfected Modeling with
ISEBERVENDA BIENNESTON By Alex Popa
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WORK & LIFE GOALS Currently, Isebervenda is in nursing school and working towards her RN and Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. She’s employed at the hospital and in a few private homes as a private nurse, and on her free days, she participates in photo shoots to support her modeling career. As for modeling, why waste a good physique when you can put it to good use? “My greatest accomplishment was making it into two magazines in Paris in a month and participating in an Indian fashion show.” Her goals are clear: she wants to finish college, invest in real estate, and advance her modeling career. But she’s not in a hurry. Taking baby steps is another lesson her father taught her!
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS ADVICE FOR YOUNG HAITIANS Her advice to her audience, young Haitians especially, is to collaborate and communicate. Infighting only hinders progress, she says, and young talents must be validated instead of pushed into a corner. Building more schools, creating more jobs, acting as role models for them is the way forward, she says.
She also wants to inspire people to take action because “nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it and work hard. Always think positively and never give up on your dreams.” That way, says Isebervenda, you’ll clear all the obstacles in your path. In her view, life is a set of obstacles, and opportunities are set aside for people who try for them. In her spare time, Isebervanda sings and dances, travels the world, and partakes in social gatherings with her friends. If you want to contact her, look for her on Instagram and her YouTube channel is “isebervenda”.
“My father taught me… that life is all about balance, discipline, and generosity.”
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CHRISTA DUCTAN’S ENTREPRENEURIAL DREAMS
C
hrista Ductan was born in Pompano Beach, Florida, and now lives in Orlando. Her parents were both immigrants from Haiti who came to the US for a new way of life and to give their daughter new opportunities. Christa took her parents’ sacrifices and hard work as inspiration to improve her life, no matter what. She dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and says she has the talent to back it up!
WHAT ARE CHRISTA’S GOALS? Christa wants three things in life – to own and manage several estate properties in the US, to become a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, and to found a philanthropic nonprofit organization. She wants to focus most of her efforts on the Haitian community, whom she views as an extended family, thanks to her parents.
Christa took her parents’ sacrifices and hard work as inspiration to improve her life, no matter what.
Her Haitian heritage plays a big role in her life. “My Haitian brothers and sisters will always be with me, and I will support them however I can.” Her words are easy to believe since she’s already started an investment company for her family. She clearly has a knack for entrepreneurship. She also looks forward to receiving her CPT certification, which will enable her to teach health and fitness anywhere – and teach the Haitian community cooking, since she’s also a nutritionist.
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS ADVICE TO YOUNG HAITIANS Her advice to the young Haitian generation is to volunteer with reputable non-profit organizations that help Haiti. Christa believes education is crucial to building a strong character and a healthy view of the world. She wants Haitian children to be taught correct history and to receive extensive education, especially when it comes to entrepreneurship and financial responsibilities. If she had a platform to share her thoughts, Christa says she’d “teach health and fitness to the Haitian community, from children to the elderly. Especially in the way we cook our food.” She’s determined to reach her goals and make the most of her opportunities since her parents struggled so much to provide her with them. This is why Christa is always humble and appreciative of what she has, no matter what.
“My Haitian brothers and sisters will always be with me, and I will support them however I can.”
HOW DOES SHE SPEND HER FREE TIME? Christa is a fitness enthusiast who takes her hobby to a new level. She hits the gym 4-5 times a week to make sure her body is in top shape. As a future fitness coach, she needs to be hardworking and disciplined with her own body first and foremost. Her other hobbies include going to RnB nights, trying out new restaurants, and doing photo shoots. Modeling is also one of her dreams, but she doesn’t pay too much attention to it. To contact Christa Ductan, go to her Instagram profile at “@motiv8ingfitness” or her personal Instagram page at “kris tuh”. She’s always glad to meet her fans!
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Aspiring Model
WADLINE EMMANUEL By Alex Popa
adline Emmanuel was born in Haiti and now lives in Connecticut with her aunty, whom she says is the strongest woman she knows. Her aunt took Wadline in when she was very young and cared for her with the best of intentions. Now, Wadline is a grown woman with aspirations of her own in the modeling world. She recalls how harsh life in Haitian was and doesn’t take the comfort of her new life for granted. She appreciates everything she’s been given and wants to give back as much as she can.
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HOT 100 YOUNG HAITIANS EDUCATION & DREAMS Wadline finished high school, completed a year of college, and then enlisted in the air force, where she now works in aviation management. She plans to continue her schooling to become a physician assistant, something that would let her help people more. But her true dream lies in the world of modeling. Her physique is sculpted for the industry, and she takes great care of it. In the next twelve months, Wadline wants to grow her Instagram platform, collaborate with more photographers, and put herself out there to launch a modeling career. She already takes photographs of herself and posts them on Instagram, hoping to attract the right kind of attention. She believes she’ll get an opportunity. After all, it’s in her Haitian heritage to be hopeful and optimistic about the future. “To me, modeling is happiness, something that I’ve long wished for,” she says. “Working in this industry would be like finding myself and doing what I was destined to do.” She understands there are other talented women out there but feels she has a place among them as well.
to learn this lesson, and she doesn’t want others to endure the same difficulties she did. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but most important, it’s in your eyes,” she says. Wadline has clearly reached a rare level of selfknowledge. Feeling comfortable in your own skin, as she says, is the best way to be happy and have the mental resources to strive for more in your life. You can contact Wadline Emmanuel on Instagram at @darkskin.wads or on Twitter at @wadline3.
If she had a platform and an audience, Wadline would promote “the importance of loving your skin no matter how light or dark it is.”
ADVICE FOR YOUNG HAITIANS Wadline’s advice for the young generation of Haitian is simple: spread awareness about what is happening in the country. Educate yourself more, learn a few skills, and try to give back to the community when you attain success. Be hardworking, disciplined, determined, and never give up on your dreams. Fight for them and you will eventually achieve them. That’s a true Haitian lesson! If she had a platform and an audience, Wadline would promote “the importance of loving your skin no matter how light or dark it is.” Her experiences have taught her that you must come to terms with your own skin and love yourself for who you are. It took her a long time
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