Island Origins - Special Issue Fall 2021

This issue is made possible

by Chef Creole.

UN VACCI NATED

VACCI NATED

IT’S YOUR CHOICE. TAKE THE SHOT. MIAMIDADE.GOV/VACCINE

PUBLISHER’S PRELUDE

Good Stewardship WRITER CALIBE THOMPSON

E

very now and then, we come across people whose genuine good nature and desire to do well for their contemporaries are unquestionable. That’s what we felt creating this special issue with the support of Ken Sejour, popularly known as Chef Creole, and celebrating the legacy of City of Miami Commissioner Jeffrey Watson. Along with shared Bahamian roots, we learned that they both have a persistent desire to elevate those less fortunate in the communities where they live and work.

Our writer Lyndon captured the essence of this, exploring the commissioner’s full-circle journey from Overtown, in his youth, out onto

national and international platforms, then back home again when he was called to serve. Rachelle gave us great insight into the charitable spirit of the Chef Creole brand and the man behind it, and she helped us explore the artsy side of Miami’s District 5. We also shared candid images from the vibrant community of Little Haiti by award-winning photographer David I. Muir.

In this special issue, sponsored by Chef Creole, we hope you see what good stewardship of a business and of a community can look like. We’re honored to present these examples of excellence and hope that they inspire us all to be better. #islandorigins

CONTENTS 1

Publisher’s Prelude: Good Stewardship

2 Commissioner Jeffrey Watson: Doing Well by Doing Good 6 Mask Up! How a Face Covering Can Save Your Life 7 Miami Under the Influence of Art 10 Chef Creole: Generous Helpings 13 Recipes With Creole Soul This issue is made possible

by Chef Creole.

14 Photo Journal: Welcome to Little Haiti

CREDITS PUBLISHER Calibe Thompson BRAND STRATEGY David I. Muir BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Tamara Philippeaux EDITORS Monique McIntosh Erica Young ASSOCIATE EDITOR Hannah Gulics ART DIRECTOR Vladan Dojcinovic CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lyndon Nicholas Jordan Unger Rachelle J. Gray Hannah Gulics CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David I. Muir Gregory Reed Ashlee Thomas ON THE COVER: In this special edition of Island Origins, we profile City of Miami District 5 Commissioner Jeffrey Watson. The descendant of Bahamians from Cat Island talks about his humble beginnings in the city he now serves and how he plans to lead the community toward a brighter future.

Photography by David I. Muir.

Styling by Tanya Marie Design.

Copyright © 2021 by Island Syndicate. All rights reserved.

Island Origins Magazine is published by Island Syndicate.

This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a review. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at Island Syndicate, 1310 SW 2nd Ct #207, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Printed in the United States of America.

Island Origins Magazine ℅ Island Syndicate 1310 SW 2nd Ct #207 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 417-812-5663 | islandoriginsmag.com support@islandsyndicate.com

islandoriginsmag.com

1

INSPIRATION // JEFFREY WATSON: DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD

2

islandoriginsmag.com

JEFFREY WATSON

Doing Well

By Doing Good Serving citizens in the iconic neighborhoods of Liberty City, Overtown, Little Haiti, Buena Vista, Upper East Side and Wynwood, Commissioner Jeffrey Watson is the appointed official for City of Miami District 5.

WRITER LYNDON NICHOLAS PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID I. MUIR

H

e was selected for the seat in late 2020 and has already garnered credibility for his pragmatism, community engagement and foresight in the midst of these challenging times.

Native Son A son of the very neighborhoods he now represents, Watson spent his earliest years in Overtown with his father, who was a native of Cat Island in The Bahamas, and his mother, whose family hailed from Georgia. They were workingclass — his father a shoe shiner and his mother a domestic worker. Despite their humble roots, “[My mom] did what she could to ensure that I was successful in this life,” he says. “She didn’t have a lot of money, but she had a whole lot of love to give. [She] made sure I took advantage of opportunities to help me be in a better place than she had the opportunity to be in.”

Black business success was standard in the Overtown of his childhood. Remembering those years in a 1993 Sun Sentinel profile, Watson

says, “We experienced in that community a lot of Black professionals, a lot of Black wealthy people, a lot of role models, a lot of economic activity...” But by the late 1960s, urban development plans, including the construction of the controversial Overtown Expressway, “came through and destroyed [all that].” He witnessed the impact firsthand, as the expressway displaced his own family, who moved to Liberty City, and later, “West Grove,” a Bahamian enclave in the Coconut Grove area.

Seeing so early on how development could make or break a community’s social and entrepreneurial spirit left a lasting impression on Watson. As a young man, he worked with a family member building affordable homes to rejuvenate depressed areas. “We served a purpose, providing quality housing for people who needed it,” says Watson. The experience taught him that progress and profit could happen without hurting people.

“I learned then that if you can do good in helping others, you can do well at the same time too.

That’s become a general running theme of my life.”

This story is sponsored by Chef Creole

islandoriginsmag.com

3

PHOTO: COURTESY OF JEFFREY WATSON

PHOTO: COURTESY OF JEFFREY WATSON

INSPIRATION // JEFFREY WATSON: DOING WELL BY DOING GOOD

Watson with former Miami mayor Xaier Suarez.

Commissioner Watson with kids and supporters in Overtown.

An Environment Where Everyone Can Thrive

He founded J. Watson & Company, a consulting firm focused on alleviating wealth inequality. Through the firm, he used his business acumen to support both local and international economic development efforts working with governments throughout the United States and the world. He also founded Solairgen Energy, a renewable energy start-up venture focused on developing job creation and responsible infrastructure. For Watson, affordable renewable energy is essential in the fight against climate change as well as against economic inequality.

“This work was always about how to take the assets you have and translate those into opportunities for people,” he says.

As a commissioner serving a diverse district — with low income in some neighborhoods and great wealth in others — home-ownership, business development and capacity building have remained high on his agenda. He stresses the importance of policy change to stimulate economic development, as well as the importance of financial literacy for empowering people to bridge the wealth gap. Particularly in his less affluent constituencies, “There still need to be efforts that will allow for economic opportunities across the board,” Watson says. “For businesses that can deliver those services, grow companies and hire people from the neighborhood — because when they’re employed, when they have higher salaries, things will be different.” He has also focused on supporting educational advancement for

Studying accounting at Florida State University, Watson considered moving to Chicago or Atlanta to grow his career in financial consulting.

But these plans quickly changed following the 1980 Miami Riot protesting the death of Arthur McDuffie at the hands of police officers. “I realized that if things were going to change, then more of us had to come back home and help do it. And so that was just what I did.”

As chief of staff to former Miami mayor Xavier Suarez, who took office in 1985, Watson advocated to increase the amount of city business that was being done with the African-American community. Later serving as the finance administrator for the city’s Department of Housing and Development, he also worked to increase access to affordable housing. “He’s tenacious,” says Suarez of his old colleague and friend. “He’s very conscious of his obligations and fulfilling them, and always has been.”

By 1993, Watson was serving on a national level as a presidential intergovernmental affairs advisor. After holding multiple roles with the Democratic Party in Washington, D.C., including one in which he worked on balancing the national budget and advising some of the highest-ranking officials in politics, Watson returned to Miami to reinvest his new expertise back home.

4

islandoriginsmag.com

students, and spends time, “making sure that my kids from Liberty City [for example], that have a different sort of social family structure, have the same opportunities as everybody else to advance.”

Watson’s ideal reflects “a oneness in the elevation of the community,” where everyone belongs and everyone can thrive.

Father Reginald Jean-Mary, a community leader and priest at the Notre Dame d’Haiti Mission, recognizes Watson’s dedication. “I see [him] fighting for the community, challenging many people, developers, even his own leaders in the community to give something good and dignified,” Jean-Mary says. “This man intends to give us a way out, not a handout.”

Assistant director of the Southeast Overtown / Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, Cornelius Shiver, was impressed by Watson’s first meeting at the City of Miami Commission. Watson passed an emergency ordinance to get struggling families, displaced during the pandemic, back into their homes before Christmas – an issue the commission had previously been unable to address. A college roommate of Watson’s from Florida State University, Shiver has not been surprised by his longtime friend’s success. “During his tenure, he’s brought a more personal, disciplined approach and he brought tranquility to that city commission. His calmness, his presence alone, has made a difference.”

Home Sweet Home

This work was always about how to take the assets you have and translate those into opportunities for people.

In more private moments, the commissioner loves savoring time with family and friends. Suarez chuckles when asked what he’s like outside of the office before responding, “He doesn’t mind a nice cigar, he drinks gin, he is a lot more relaxed and very involved with his kids.”

Watson gushes over his wife Carmen RamosWatson, calling her an “intelligent lady, probably smarter than I am.” You can also hear the pride in his voice when he talks about his two adult sons, Alejandro, a filmmaker and artist, and Ariel, a basketball player and entrepreneur in fashion.

“I always think your greatest achievement is who you bring into this world,” he says. “Most importantly, when we have kids, we invest in them, and [hope] that they grow up to become positive, contributing citizens to the community they live in.”

This is why he believes that true economic empowerment is key to Miami’s future, strengthening the city’s communities for whatever new challenges they may face. “You can’t stop change,” says Watson. “But you can help people to grow and transform within [their] communities.”

This story is sponsored by Chef Creole

islandoriginsmag.com

5

HEALTH // MASK UP

Mask Up!

HOW A FACE COVERING CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE WRITER JORDAN UNGER PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has plagued the United States for nearly two years now.

Despite the wide availability of vaccines, the new Delta variant has spurred an upsurge in cases. And although we are all fatigued by wearing masks, public health authorities continue to encourage their use in efforts to slow the spread.

The debate regarding public mandates has created some confusion about masks, so here’s some clear information about why they are essential for protecting you and your loved ones.

1

How Masks Work

3

Who Needs to Wear Masks

The virus that causes COVID-19 primarily spreads through the air when infected people breathe, cough, speak or sneeze. Proper masks provide a physical barrier, stopping the virus from reaching others’ noses and mouths, so infected people are less likely to spread the disease and healthy people are less likely to catch it. But all masks are not created equal!

2

Different types of masks offer varying levels of protection. High-efficiency masks, like the KN95, for example, block at least 95% of airborne particles.

The more accessible surgical and multi-layered cloth masks are also effective at reducing airborne transmission. Single-layer cloth masks and gaiters with loose weaves might allow you to breathe easier, but they don’t offer much protection against airborne particles. Choose a good mask and ensure it covers both your nose and mouth, fitting tightly on your face. A proper mask, worn correctly, will offer great protection against the spread of COVID-19.

Because of the potential for breakthrough infections and with new strains like the Delta variant, everyone — particularly those in high-risk groups — should continue to wear masks.

Studies show that people suffering from chronic illnesses, like diabetes and hypertension, are at greater risk of developing severe symptoms if they contract COVID-19. Because the virus primarily targets the lungs, those with respiratory issues like pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer or asthma are in even greater danger. It is extremely important for people in these demographics to wear masks to avoid infection.

6

islandoriginsmag.com

Some Masks Are Better Than Others

4

Masks in Schools

Vaccinations provide the most effective protection against COVID-19. However, children under 12 years old are not currently eligible, and vaccination rates remain low for kids aged 12 to 17. As such, the CDC recommends indoor masking for everyone in schools. The issue becomes complicated in Florida, where a statewide ban on mask mandates by Governor Ron DeSantis bars schools from requiring face coverings. To protect your own children, be sure to provide them with masks and guidance. Find out how your school is adhering to CDC guidelines and how your district is approaching mask policies.

PHOTO: GREGORY REED

African Heritage Cultural Arts Center.

(Story on next page).

Miami Under the Influence of Art WRITER RACHELLE J. GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY VARIOUS

Miami — the Magic City – represents a shimmering, multicultural mosaic of language and heritage.

T

his fusion has been the catalyst of the city’s evolution into a cultural mecca, a powerful showcase of Caribbean and Caribbean-American artists. You can see them thriving in the vibrant neighborhoods of Wynwood, Liberty City and Little Haiti, where three creative spaces are amplifying the arts. Their curatorial rosters offer exhibits by some of the most prolific talents, reflecting Miami’s diversity. Within their walls, like revelers at a carnival, Caribbean aesthetic, perspectives and vibrancy are on vivid display. Here is where to go for a truly immersive experience.

PHOTO: ASHLEE THOMAS

CULTURE // MIAMI UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ART

The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, Liberty City ahcacmiami.org For over four decades, The African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (AHCAC) has been a cultural force in the iconic Miami neighborhood of Liberty City. Their art education and cultural programming focus on fostering the diverse perspectives of people of African heritage in South Florida. As such, they have become a central showcase and learning center for the local Caribbean-American community.

“Our classes present things from the black life experience,” explains AHCAC Director Marshall L. Davis. “So our diverse staff reflects the vast African diaspora. And we offer Caribbean dance classes and have hosted many Caribbean dance companies and acting groups.”

Serving the next generation of creators, the AHCAC provides yearround arts education in dance, drama, music and media for children and teens. You can watch young creatives get their first tastes of the spotlight here at the Center’s popular youth exhibitions, concerts and drama shows.

Equipped with a black box theater, a concert hall and an art gallery, they also regularly stage visual arts exhibitions and performances by leading professional artists both homegrown and international. Past events include the Sankofa Jazz Fest and the Dance Collective celebration, which featured performances by the IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban dance company.

(See image on previous page)

8

islandoriginsmag.com

▴ Miami Urban Contemporary Experience (MUCE), Little Haiti muce305.org What was once an industrial complex that housed a Range Rover mechanic shop in Little Haiti is now home to the Miami Urban Contemporary Experience (MUCE), a production company/event hub that brings ideas to life through unique experiences that engage artists, creatives and the broader community.

This multidisciplinary platform is the brainchild of cofounders Ashlee Thomas and Bart Mervil, respectively of Panamanian and Haitian heritage. Together, they have produced a host of cultural showcases, including art exhibitions, concerts, cultural festivals, drum and dance circles, craft markets, creative development workshops and children’s education programs. And always, Black art and creativity from around the world remain at the forefront of each of their projects. "MUCE works with a richly diverse group of artists with an emphasis on the African Diaspora,” notes Thomas. “From the Caribbean to the Americas to the continent, MUCE ensures our cultural stories and tapestry are accessible to the public."

Bakehouse Art Complex, Wynwood Built by artists for artists, the Bakehouse Art Complex is a true art incubator. Since its opening in 1986 by local creatives, the organization has provided a permanent platform for Miami’s artists, including many Caribbean-American voices.

“By prioritizing local artists, Bakehouse directly serves a diverse group of people,” explains curatorial and public programs associate Laura Novoa about Bakehouse’s dedication to celebrating the city’s talent. “Miami is itself a multicultural city and the artists that work at Bakehouse are an extension and reflection of this diversity.”

Housed in a 33,000 square-foot facility that was once an industrial bakery, the complex today is home to 60 artist studios and two exhibition galleries. Here, art lovers have the chance to meet artists and discuss their creative processes one on one during their popular Open Studios events, which are held quarterly. These visits provide unique, behind-the-scenes glimpses into the studios of emerging and mid-career artists, including their works in progress.

Their current roster of Caribbean artists will show at their exhibition celebrating Bakehouse’s 35th anniversary, titled “Viewpoints: Expressions of an Artist Community.” On display from November13 2021 through to March 27, 2022, the exhibition is co-curated by Novoa and Edouard Duval-Carrié – the lauded, Miami-based Haitian artist and Bakehouse board member. The show will feature works

by Cuban-born artists Amanda Linares and William Osorio, CubanAmerican artist Nicole Salcedo, and Haitian-born artist Adler Guerrier.

PHOTO: WORLD RED EYE

bacfl.org

islandoriginsmag.com

9

INSPIRATION // CHEF CREOLE GENEROUS HELPINGS

CHEF CREOLE

Generous Helpings WRITER RACHELLE J. GRAY

PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID I. MUIR

For restaurateur Wilkinson “Ken” Sejour, doing business and taking care of the local community have always gone hand in hand.

10

islandoriginsmag.com

A

s co-founder of the popular Chef Creole Seasoned Kitchen chain in South Florida, the Haitian-Bahamian entrepreneur is as well-known for his philanthropy as he is for his culinary mastery. “Success is not just taking or receiving. Success is also giving,” says Sejour of his company’s philosophy.

“It’s a practice that we embedded in the brand.

That’s just the way we do business.”

So when the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns last year had many Floridians struggling to feed their families, Sejour did as he always does – he opened up his kitchen to the community. Partnering with the City of Miami Police and local nonprofit Farm Share, he ran a drive-thru food distribution in Little Haiti. He also partnered with Food Rescue US - Miami to establish a community kitchen, extending relief to first responders and people unemployed or furloughed during the pandemic. The kitchen provided grab-and-go meals free of charge while providing meaningful employment for locals.

This pandemic response was only the most recent act of kindness in Chef Creole’s near 30-year history. From the very beginning, in 1992, when Sejour launched his first Chef Creole restaurant in Little Haiti with his late brother Jude Pierre, they sought ways to engage the community.

Success is not just taking or receiving. Success is also giving. It’s a practice that we embedded in the brand. That’s just the way we do business.

“When we first started, we sponsored everything,” Sejour laughs, looking back to those early days. “The Haitian community at that time was into football and [for the championship team], we had our names on the shirt. That was our first date with giving. When people got familiar with always seeing us sponsoring, they started to come to us with their concerns.”

Nearly three decades and six locations later, Sejour’s restaurants and culinary talents have been featured and recognized nationally and locally on television and in other media. This coverage has included their newest location at the Miami International Airport, opening with a grand ceremony in 2018.

Soon after that opening, Sejour had to rally for the restaurant’s new airport colleagues following a U.S. government shutdown. Chef Creole began offering free meals to the Transportation Security Administration workers and customs agents whose salary payments had been stalled. “I think we were there no more than maybe four or five months,” recalls Sejour. “[I thought] — we’ve got inventory, we might as well do some good with it.”

islandoriginsmag.com

11

INSPIRATION // CHEF CREOLE GENEROUS HELPINGS

His generosity was soon met with an outpouring of donations that allowed Chef Creole to sustain the initiative. “The next day I got phone calls from suppliers that said, ‘Hey, we like what you’re doing. How can we help?’ So we went from feeding 200 people, then it was 200 people a shift.

We ended up feeding people for a month.”

Over the years, his generosity and personal sacrifice have been recognized by local leaders.

The Miami Police gave him a special recognition award for his support of airport workers. He has also received a proclamation from Miami-Dade County Commissioners and has been honored as an outstanding supporter of education for his commitment to youth by Miami Dade College and Miami-Dade County.

When he is not filling bellies with sumptuous Caribbean dishes, as a co-founder and vice president on the board of the Little Haiti Optimist Club and Foundation, Sejour also puts his energy into filling voids in his immediate community, especially for the youth. He provides for practical needs like books and school supplies and seeks to inspire the next generation by giving motivational talks at various schools.

He is passionate about protecting many of the

12

islandoriginsmag.com

Whenever the community cries out, it’s our responsibility as businessmen that, as much was given, we also give back to the community. communities his restaurants serve from gentrification. This is particularly true for Little Haiti – the place where he launched his first restaurant and the cultural root of Chef Creole’s Haitian-inspired menu. “Little Haiti, for me, is a very sensitive issue because of what’s going on right now,” Sejour says. “It’s being done in such a creative and constructive manner that when it’s all said and done, people wouldn’t even know that there were Haitian people in this area in the first place.”

In the future, “I hope that we’re blessed enough that maybe we could start building affordable housing units. That way we could keep our people safe.”

For Sejour, the recipe for success is simple: making great food and giving back is the standard for doing good business. “We’ve been blessed for the past 29 years in our community, and whenever the community cries out, it’s our responsibility as businessmen that, as much was given, we also give back to the community.”

RECIPES WITH

Creole Soul ▾ HAITIAN LEGUME STEW

This traditional vegetarian dish is spicy with a distinct mix of textures.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED • 1 eggplant • 1 chayote • 3 large carrots • 1 tomato • 1 cup spinach • ½ yellow onion • 4 tablespoons tomato paste • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • ½ Scotch bonnet pepper,

seeds removed • 1 small cabbage, large chopped • 1 tablespoon sea salt • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1 clove garlic, chopped • 2 cups vegetable stock • 3 tablespoons Haitian epis (mixed seasoning)

WHAT TO DO 1. Set cabbage aside. Peel, dice and chop the remaining vegetables and combine into one bowl.

2. In a large pot on medium-high heat, fry the tomato paste in oil until it is a brownish color.

3. Add 4 ounces of water to the pot, then stir in half of the chopped vegetables. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes.

4. Add the cabbage, salt, cayenne, garlic and vegetable stock, and stir.

5. Stir in Haitian epis, cover and let simmer on low heat for 45 minutes.

6. Remove the lid and mash the vegetables together.

7. Add the remaining vegetables and cook for another 10 minutes or until they are al dente (soft enough to bite).

8. Enjoy with hot rice, and add chicken or beef chunks for a twist.

▴ CREOLE SEAFOOD PASTA

An easy, creamy pasta dish with creole seasonings and fresh seafood.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED • 1 pound tri-color rotini or your favorite pasta • 8 ounces lobster tail • 10 extra large shrimp • ½ pound conch

•2 to 3 tablespoons creole seasoning • 2 shallots, sliced • 4 teaspoons butter • 1 cup tartar sauce

WHAT TO DO 1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook pasta for 7 to 9 minutes or until al dente. Drain and add back into the pot, setting aside.

2. Place the lobster tail, shrimp, conch and shallots in a large piece of aluminum foil, then massage with creole seasoning. Add 5 ounces of water and the butter, then pinch the foil closed to seal in steam.

3. Grill at 450 to 500 degrees for 5 minutes. Flip the lobster tails and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes.

4. Setting the liquid from the foil aside, remove the lobster tail, shrimp and conch and grill them directly on the rack for 2 to 3 minutes or until all seafood is tender.

5. Add the reserved liquid to the drained pasta and mix in the tartar sauce.

6. Add the seafood to the pasta and enjoy.

islandoriginsmag.com

13

CULTURE // WELCOME TO LITTLE HAITI

Welcome to

LITTLE HAITI David I. Muir, the artist author behind acclaimed coffee table photobook Pieces of Jamaica, shares a collection of authentic scenes from around Little Haiti.

Center of Attention Little Haiti Cultural Complex is a colorful hub of activity, brightening the landscape of the Little Haiti neighborhood with an energy that reflects the spirit of the entire Caribbean community.

Setting the Scene The tap tap bus is used to offer tours of the community, bringing visitors who buy food, jewelry and other products available at and around the complex.

14

islandoriginsmag.com

Worth a Thousand Words Louis Rosemond’s work is prominently displayed throughout the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, where he was the sole artist painting on this day.

Hair Here Inside the Cultural Complex, a vendor selling personal care products has some hands on interaction with her buyer.

The inviting space fosters an unspoken familial energy, allowing a special kind of personal connection.

islandoriginsmag.com

15

CULTURE // WELCOME TO LITTLE HAITI

A Chef’s Life There are usually multiple food vendors on site. In this vignette, the vegan Rasta chef owns a restaurant, but he sets up outside of the Little Haiti Cultural Center as well, to supplement and promote his business.

The soup lady has lots of traffic for her easy, grab-and-go meal in a cup. Chicken on the grill is an easily recognizable offering. The smoke from the pan is a beacon to hungry folks within smelling distance.

16

islandoriginsmag.com

Easy Skankin’ In the middle of the day, in the dimly lit interior of the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, with no apparent rhyme or reason folks just get up and dance to the rhythmic island music playing in the background. Having fun seems to just be a part of who this community is.

Play Time The group below is enjoying a rousing game of Ludo. The pleasant proprietor of the h­e­althy food cafe encourages a laid back atmosphere; colorful artwork in the space adds to the vibrant ambiance.