ITS CARNIVAL!!!!!!!

Yesterday was the 2015 Miami Broward Carnival. A celebration held in sunny South Florida where all the caribbean islands are represented via Mas Bands, colorful costumes, music and food all in one place.

Last year was my first time attending carnival and I must say I had a blast. The Haitians were out there in full swing representing the bleu et rouge alongside our brothers and sisters from the other islands. Kompa, reggae, soca and reggaeton filled the air as scantily clad men and women gouye and busted a whine in the streets. The parade encircled the South Campus of FIU before entering the carnival grounds for the day's main events. After walking alongside some of the most popular Mas Bands and seeing all the fun the people had masquerading I declared that next year I would not attend as a spectator but as a costume wearing player.

Interviewing Dr Shaquille O'neal and Wyclef Jean

This past Saturday evening, October 3, 2015, I had the opportunity to attend the celebration of Barry University's 75th Anniversary. A 1940's themed event held to honor the family of the founders and to allow the alumni, current students and community leaders to mix and mingle and celebrate 75 years of higher education and community involvement.

Bowl for Education

      
Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month goes much farther than waving the Blue and Red flag, eating tassot and partying at Compas Fest. Haitians and Haitian Americans everywhere do their parts to share their favorite aspects of Haitian culture and history with the rest of the world. But the question that comes to mind is, what about Haiti? How does Haiti benefit from HHM?





Well this year a good friend of mine, Mrs Wanda wanted to do her part in helping Haiti directly. Partnered along with other Haitian Americans, not to mention a Haitian American themed radio show aka The Morning Drive on WSRF 1580AM (shameless plug), Mrs Wanda and the L'union Suite kicked off the 1st Annual Strike for Education Charity Bowl. A bowling tournament featuring some of today's most popular Haitian American entrepreneurs, personalities and artists whose proceeds go to benefit Fleur De Vie: Flower Of Life. 

Vote for RHONEL for Mr May 18th

The month of May and Haitian Heritage Month have finally come around again!!! A full month dedicated to uplifting Haitian culture to the fullest! Haitian food, music, art, history, language and much more put on display for the rest of the world to appreciate!!! Red and Blue flags will be draped everywhere, kompa music will be blaring and shouts of "Sak Pase, Nap Boule" will ring in the streets!!!!




A few major events happening in Miami to commemorate this month are the 2nd Annual Haitian Parents Be Like Comedy Show, the 4th Annual Taste of Haiti and the 17th Annual Haitian Compas Festival. Comedians, chefs and musicians will be traveling from places such as New York, Haiti and parts of Europe to share their talents with the people of Miami. Just the same, people will be flocking from all over the globe to take part in the festivities in Miami. (We do have the largest population of the Haitian diaspora in the U.S.A.)

Sweet Micky For President

The 32nd Edition of the Miami International Film Festival presented by Miami Dade College was held on March 6-15, 2015. This year's edition boasted over 100 films from more than 40 countries. Now it was  impossible for me to see them all but I definitely watched some of the films that caught my attention. Being Haitian-American, one in particular stood out to me. The documentary was entitled, Sweet Micky for President. It was the behind the scenes look at how the President of Haiti, Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly went from being the self proclaimed President of Kompas to the President of Haiti.The film was directed by Ben Patterson and produced, to my surprise, by Pras Michel of the Fugees.


It turns out that Pras was the mastermind behind the whole thing. He convinced Sweet Micky that he was the new leader the people wanted and needed. He believed Michel was young, charismatic and could lead the country passed the devastation of the 2010 earthquake and into a future of prosperity. Fast-forward to the present and critiques may agree or disagree, but at the time Pras and Michel banded together to begin a historic and very eventful campaign. The film explores aspects of betrayal, political corruption, the devastation caused by the earthquake and the strength of a people abused but not broken.

Mimis Boutiq 4th Annual Fashion Show

On February 8th, I had the opportunity to attend Mimi’s Boutiq 4th Annual Fashion Show. The show was held at the Newport Beachside Hotel in Sunny Isles Beach, Fl. In previous years, modèl yo te defile at Moca Cafe, a popular Haitian restaurant/Night club in North Miami, but with the show’s growing buzz it was necessary to find a much larger space.

The Lovely Emeline Michel

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting a Haitian Kompa Music Legend, Ms Emeline Michel. She was in Miami, Fl filming the music video for her newest single.

I was invited to join the crew on set to get some behind the scenes shots; though I had some ulterior motives. I may have had a crush on her once upon a time and may have been trying to slip her my number. Sssshhh don't tell anyone I admitted that LOL!

Ayiti Cheri

Ayiti Cheri is a poem I wrote in February of 2010 after the devastating 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. Still in shock and hurting for all the lives lost and damage wrought, I wrote this poem to try and express how I felt. Hope you all enjoy.

7.0

January 12, 2015 marked five years since Haiti was ravaged by a 7.0 earthquake. On January 10, 2010 I had just walked into work at about 5pm. Instead of the hugs and high fives I was accustomed to, I was greeted by the sobs of my co-worker Marie. With her face tear stained and eyes blood shot red, the only words she could muster in response to my queries were Ayiti krazay. A quick visit to my Facebook newsfeed coupled with texts from family members caught me up on what was happening around me. Ayiti, in fact had krazay-ed (a little Crenglish for you).