KENBE LAGE: GOING INTO 2023

2023 is almost here which means it’s time for another Kenbe Lage. This tradition that is so dear to us consists of vocalizing what we want to keep for 2023 and what we are letting go of and leaving in 2022. Here is what some of our artisans are saying:

Abraham

What I am keeping: A positive spirit, Love, Joy, Creativity, Team spirit.

What I am leaving behind: Negativity, stress, timidity/shyness, feelings of inferiority, discouragement

Ismaella

What I am keeping: Encouragement, patience, Team spirit, Self-control, Love, The spirit of sharing, Motivation

What I am leaving behind: Doubt, fear, negative spirit, laziness

Maxane

What I am keeping: Faith, Positive spirit, Hard work, Team spirit, Patience.

What I am leaving behind: Hypocrisy, bitterness, jealousy, limited mindset, fear.

Mona

What I am keeping: Wisdom, Love, Self-control, Hard work

What I am leaving behind: Anger, impatience.

What a year this has been! The most difficult one no doubt but also the one where we learned the most about our strength and power to overcome.

On behalf of the whole team,

THANK YOU!

THE HAITIAN AMERICAN SERIES : RICHARD CANTAVE

Welcome back to the Haitian American Experience series. With everything currently going on in Haiti, we wanted to create a safe space for authentic conversations and we are conscious that the diaspora cannot be left out. This series has started with the goal of hearing different perspectives about the current situation and how the diaspora could offer sustainable short and long term solutions. We will also of course dive into some more personal topics in order for you to learn more about our features and their unique personalities.

Enjoy!

How have you been Richard? 

Hey guys! I’ve been pretty good thank you—we’ve been incredibly busy hosting many different trips across different continents so it’s been non-stop for us but also been stressed and appalled about the situation in Haiti.

Tell us more about yourself, your interests and the work you do.

My name is Richard Cantave—many people know me as Haitian Nomad, I am an avid traveler who enjoys learning about new cultures, history and unique cultural experiences. I have turned this passion into my life-calling of facilitating these experiences  for others by hosting them in countries around the globe.

When did you move from Haiti to the US?

I moved from Haiti to the US in June 2003 when I came to spend the summer vacation but ended up staying as a result of the deteriorating political situation in Haiti.

How would you describe your passion for Haiti?

I don’t think there are words that can describe my passion for Haiti. Everyday, during my travels, I am reminded how much of a blessing it is to have been born in Haiti. To be Haitian is something to be incredibly proud of …our history, our culture, our food is very unique and it’s something I’m always super excited to share with the world. I’m always super excited to host our Haiti trips as it is one of the very few places where you can experience what I call RAW tourism! There are no “tourist traps” in Haiti, you’re experiencing the authentic culture no matter where you go !

How is the current situation affecting you right now ?

I’m very sad to see what’s going on Haiti right now, even worse to see the mass exodus or the brain drain that’s happening. While I understand the reason people want to leave as I did but if everyone who’s educated and represents some kind of hope for Haiti leaves, what’s next? This is also the longest I have gone without going to Haiti as the situation in Port-au-Prince has deteriorated and spilled over to other places throughout the country. It also pains me to know that so many people benefited from our many different trips to Haiti and now they have to find other ways to make ends meet in an already difficult place. The other thing that always bothered me about the situation in Haiti was the way it broke families apart. When people leave Haiti, they move to different countries, different states and family ties are broken——cousins grow up without each other for example.

“Everyday, during my travels, I am reminded how much of a blessing it is to have been born in Haiti. To be Haitian is something to be incredibly proud of …our history, our culture, our food is very unique and it’s something I’m always super excited to share with the world. ”

— Richard Cantave

From your perspective, how can the Haitian Diaspora contribute to short term and long term change right now ?

The Haitian diaspora needs to be united to make big changes in Haiti—I’m sad to see sometimes Haitians who move to the US but keep the same mentality or the same way of life as they had in Haiti because they never assimilate and therefore can’t really progress. If we had more of a togetherness, more resources available for those who arrive, I believe they’d be able to also help others still in Haiti or even they themselves would take the experiences learned here and implement them in Haiti.

We need to put a stop to the “neg anwo vs neg anba, the colorism , close the social divide in the name of country—kind of like South Africa did under Nelson Mandela. We can’t keep fighting over the same things we’ve been doing over the past 200+ years! 

We must also make sure our children growing up in the us or outside of Haiti never forget who they are, where they come from and that they know and feel at home in Haiti 

How do you do your part ? (It's also ok if right now you don't know yet how you do your part. You can be transparent about that) 

I do my part in many ways: 

1. I identify people/youths In Haiti I see doing positive things but who lack support & I find ways to support them—such was the case when I purchased $5,000 worth of professional equipment recently for a group of talented young Haitians Doing amazing work in their community in the north. 

2. Through our many trips, we find ways to directly hire the people of the communities we visit and give back in meaningful ways like providing support to local schools.

3. Through an organization called Kiva, we provide small loans at 1% to local entrepreneurs who lack funding for their ideas/businesses. The 1% repaid, fuels another entrepreneurs’ dreams.

If you could give a word of encouragement to Haitians grieving for their country right now, what would it be?

“While it’s ok to grieve, the work doesn’t stop and we can’t always “leave it to God” who already gave us everything we need to build. ”

— Richard Cantave

A little Haiti QnA

Favorite spot in Haiti?

Gadras/Paradise Bay beach near Cap Haitien

Favorite Haitian meal?

Diri Djon Djon (Black Rice), Macaroni Gratiné, Griot, Bannan Peze 

Favorite Haitian alcoholic beverage?

I don’t drink but I love me some cremas :) 

Haitian item we will always find in your house? 

Haitian Coffee (Rebo) , Haitian Flag, Pilon, Lwil maskreti, Haitian vanilla essence, Kassav , haitian flag of course. 

3 Haitian businesses you love and support 

Any artisan at Village Nouailles

I recently had the pleasure to eat at a small restaurant in Petion-Ville called “Wikouk” and the food was EXCELLENT ! Hotel Montana is also one of my favorite hotels in Haiti. 

Bonbon lakay in Brooklyn makes all the yummy sweets that remind me of my childhood in Haiti.

LePic pizza in south Florida makes the same — amazing pizza we’ve grown to love like pizza garden. 

A popular Haitian dish you do not like  

Any seafood

Favorite Haitian proverb

Ou pa janm konn kote dlo pase li antre nan kokoye

Haitian song you will never get over?

“Diana” King Posse 

Thank you Richard for taking the time to chat with us! Do not forget to follow The Haitian Nomad and keep up with their amazing trips around the world

THE HAITIAN AMERICAN SERIES: YVE CAR

Welcome back to the Haitian American Experience series. With everything currently going on in Haiti, we wanted to create a safe space for authentic conversations and we are conscious that the diaspora cannot be left out. This series has started with the goal of hearing different perspectives about the current situation and how the diaspora could offer sustainable short and long term solutions. We will also of course dive into some more personal topics in order for you to learn more about our features and their unique personalities.

Enjoy!

Hi Yve-Car! How have you been?

Lately, I’ve been pretty overwhelmed by what’s happening in Haiti. I think often about what our impact looks like when the country is experiencing so many issues. But nonetheless, I remain hopeful, especially when I receive messages from our Tribe asking how we’re doing and ways to help and support. And of course, knowing what the Kreyòl Essence team is going to accomplish balances it out.

When did you move from Haiti to the US?

Although I was born in the US, I moved to Haiti shortly after my birth and lived there until the age of 5. But I always went back for every summer vacation and time off.

Tell us more about yourself your interests and the work you do.

I consider myself a social entrepreneur! I hold a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Rutgers University and started my Master’s at the University of Pennsylvania and went to complete it at Cornell University in International Development with a focus on rural agriculture. I currently work as the CEO of Kreyòl Essence, an agribusiness that creates natural and ethical personal care products in Haiti to the world.

How would you describe your passion for Haiti?My passion for Haiti is obsessive. And it’s not accepting that the country's current predicament is indicative of its future.

How is the current situation affecting you right now?

The current situation in Haiti is affecting me deeply –production, farming, and hiring all can’t function consistently. It’s also impossible to bring retailers and partners to see the beauty of Haiti which leads us to telling the story of Haiti in a different way.

From your perspective, how can the Haitian Diaspora contribute to short term and long-term change right now?

Short term, I would love for the Haitian Diaspora to keep buying from Haitian companies, this helps keep them afloat so they can keep paying their staff and feel motivated despite the situation. Each purchase is a vote to the Haitian entrepreneurs to hang in there!

Long term, we need to reimagine our political system –civic and political engagement is the greatest way to contribute change. The problems we’re currently experiencing are not just based on someone elected in office.

How do you do your part? (It's also ok if right now you don't know yet how you do your part. You can be transparent about that)

I do my part by making sure that Haiti is still on the national scene for more than its challenges through our partnerships with Ulta Beauty, Whole Foods, and JC Penney Salons just to name a few. Though, I wasn’t always a believer in NGOs being the answer to Haiti’s problems, this holiday season, Kreyòl Essence is looking at different organizations doing great work and taking care of Haitians in Haiti to donate proceeds from our Holiday sale to. They need that encouragement as well.

If you could give a word of encouragement to Haitians grieving for their country right now, what would it be?

I love this quote by Tony Robbins, “Good times create weak people. Weak people create bad times. Bad times create strong people. Strong people create great times.” I truly believe that there’s something we’re supposed to learn as Haitians that we can use to change the conditions around.

A little Haiti QnA

Favorite spot in Haiti?

Wahoo Bay! There’s a specific room I always goto that overlooks the ocean, it’s my safe space to go to for calm.

Favorite Haitian meal?

Diri kole ak tasso an sòs

Favorite Haitian alcoholic beverage?

That’s a hard one –but I'll go with 5-star Rhum Barbancourt.

Haitian item we will always find in your house?

Great question, first and foremost, lwil maskriti, followed by a varitety of Haitian art and hand-beaded Haitian purses.

3 Haitian businesses you love and support

There are so many to name! But Rhum Barbancourt, Ayabombe, and Haiti Design Co!

A popular Haitian dish you do not like 🙊

Mayi Moulen.

Favorite Haitian proverb and why?

“Dèyè mòn, gen mòn" because it expresses the ideaof humility and challenge. This reminds me that things are often more complex than what meets the eye.

Haitian song you will never get over?

Ayiti Se by the legendary Mikaben.

Make sure you follow along their journey and learn more about this Haitian empire in the making!

“Short term, I would love for the Haitian Diaspora to keep buying from Haitian companies, this helps keep them afloat so they can keep paying their staff and feel motivated despite the situation. Each purchase is a vote to the Haitian entrepreneurs to hang in there!”

— Yve Car

THE HAITIAN AMERICAN SERIES : SHIRLEY

Welcome back to the Haitian American Experience series. With everything currently going on in Haiti, we wanted to create a safe space for authentic conversations and we are conscious that the diaspora cannot be left out. This series has started with the goal of hearing different perspectives about the current situation and how the diaspora could offer sustainable short and long term solutions. We will also of course dive into some more personal topics in order for you to learn more about our features and their unique personalities.

Enjoy!

Hi Shirley! How have you been ? 

I am feeling well. I will not complain. The joys of entrepreneurship are what I enjoy the most.

When did you move from Haiti to the US?

I am US Born.

Tell us more about yourself, your interests and the work you do.

I am a digital marketing and social media strategist with my company Dorsainvil Creative. I love creating content so I double down as a social media influencer creating authentic user generated content for brands. When I am not doing that, I am hyping up Haitian Creatives at Haitians Who Blog where we provide career resources to help freelancers propel their creative careers.

How would you describe your passion for Haiti?

“I am of Haitian-ancestry and spent months living in Haiti. After witnessing change to the political-social climate in Haiti, I felt honor needed to be restored to Haiti in digital spaces. Because of that, I created Haitians Who Blog, a brave space for culture, community, and connection. ”

— Shirley

How is the current situation affecting you right now ?

It is currently challenging to maintain our two-fold mission of working with creators living in Haiti. Because of so many changes, individuals are struggling to maintain communication with the states.

From your perspective, how can the Haitian Diaspora contribute to short term and long-term change right now ?
I have struggled with making contributions when the issues that affect the country are systemic issues. I make it a point to employ Haiti-based creatives. However, because of discriminatory practices in the U.S. this has become a struggle to maintain legal requirements as a liable employer.

How do you do your part ? (It's also ok if right now you don't know yet how yo do your part. You can be transparent about that)

I do my part by advocating for Haitian creatives, uplifting their voices, and making sure they feel heard as much as I can.

If you could give a word of encouragement to Haitians grieving for their country right now, what would it be?

Be empathetic towards yourself because what is affecting Haiti is far out of your control. It is common for Haitians to take on the burden of others, but do not bear this cross as it was not something you asked for. Do with what you can, and do it as soon as you have the space to.

A little Haiti Q&A

Favorite spot in Haiti?

Cap Deli

Favorite Haitian meal?

Diri Djon Djon ak boulette

Favorite Haitian alcoholic beverage?

Prestige ak Toro

Haitian item we will always find in your house? 

Pilon and pez.

3 Haitian businesses you love and support 

Kreyol Essence, Caribbrew, Pretty Melanin

A popular Haitian dish you do not like  

Legume beregene

Favorite Haitian proverb and why?

Pa jete vye chodyè pou chodyè nèf. 

Experience is so important in life. Never forget the role it played when trying to get something new.

Haitian song you will never get over?

Ja'i Soif De Toi- Daan Junior

Thank you so much for your time Shirley! Haiti is lucky to count you as such a proud advocate.

Do not forget to follow Shirley on all of her platforms and to show support.

THE HAITIAN AMERICAN SERIES : SHELCY

Welcome to the Haitian American Experience series. With everything currently going on in Haiti, we wanted to create a safe space for authentic conversations and we are conscious that the diaspora cannot be left out. This series has started with the goal of hearing different perspectives about the current situation and how the diaspora could offer sustainable short and long term solutions. We will also of course dive into some more personal topics in order for you to learn more about our features and their unique personalities.

Enjoy!

Hi Shelcy! How have you been ? 

I’ve seen better days, but on a personal level, I can’t complain. I’ve been wrestling with the idea of death all year, but the sudden passing of Mikaben last month made that feeling more intense. It sparked all these thoughts about the situation in Haiti (how we continue to suffer as a nation), but I’m holding onto hope.

When did you move from Haiti to the US?

In February 2010 after the earthquake.

Tell us more about yourself your interests and the work you do.

I recently quit my job as a fashion editor at POPSUGAR to focus on my business and my other passions. I love storytelling; my preferred medium is writing. But in addition, I create visual content (photos and videos) with my sister through our multi-media brand NYCXCLOTHES. We partner with brands on sponsored posts, host events for our community, and start important conversations online. We also consult on influencer marketing, social media and content strategy, plus diversity and inclusion. Outside of that, I’m a total fashion and home decor nerd. I’d go vintage shopping with you in a heartbeat. Same for talking your ears off about the business side of fashion or great designers from the past. Hard to summarize what I do, but this is the gist of it.

How would you describe your passion for Haiti?

It’s like the love a child has for their mother, biological or otherwise. It’s inseparable from me. Haiti is in me.

How is the current situation affecting you right now ?

It makes it hard to have hope, but we carry on. I’ve been taking a step back to learn more about the history. I believe a lot of courage can come from that knowledge.

From your perspective, how can the Haitian Diaspora contribute to short term and long term change right now ?

I’m still trying to figure this out. Keeping up with the news. Checking on people who are on the ground. Learning the history. Promoting Haitian art and artists in all its forms. These are small but important steps.

How do you do your part ? (It's also ok if right now you don't know yet how yo do your part. You can be transparent about that) 

Earlier this summer, I helped someone purchase a generator and coordinate the delivery to a women’s health clinic in the South of Haiti. I was very proud of that because I’m all about contributing to people's lives in real positive ways. Then with my platform, I feel this responsibility to speak out and be a source for learning about the culture and spreading my love of it. But honestly, I’m still learning how to have an impact on a big scale.

If you could give a word of encouragement to Haitians grieving for their country right now, what would it be?

“We’re in this together. Let’s support each other as we figure out the way forward.”

— Shelcy

A LITTLE HAITI QnA

Favorite spot in Haiti?

I haven’t been back in so long, but I’ll never forget 5 Coins. It still is the best fritay I ever had.

Favorite Haitian meal?

Griyo ak bannann peze.

Favorite Haitian alcoholic beverage?

Cremas.

Haitian item we will always find in your house? 

A painting or a framed bible verse.

3 Haitian businesses you love and support 

Fanm Mòn: https://fanmmon.com/

Vavvoune: https://www.vavvoune.com/

A popular Haitian dish you do not like 

 I’ll have to get back to you on this one.

Favorite Haitian proverb and why?

“Men anpil chay pa lou.” Because it speaks to the urgent need for solidarity among humans.

Haitian song you will never get over?

Pitit fi mwen - Reginald Lubin 

Se ou m’vle - Tabou Combo

Merci - Any Derose

Si’m the gen zèl - Mikaben

Thank you so much Shelcy for taking the time to chat with us! We enjoyed every second of it.

Do not forget to follow Shelcy and Christy on their other platforms and share some love.