PRODG Entertainment Promotions

PROFILES

Louis Elneus
Founder of HLD

Richard Jeanty
Author & Entrepreneur

Leslie Demangles
Author & College Professor

Danielle Legros-George
Haitian Poet & Autor

Margaret Papillon
Haitian Author

Myrtelle Cherry
Haitian Artist & Painter

Carole B. Joseph
Mass Bay Community College President

Gashford Guillaume
Mozayik Drummer

Pascale Auguste
Haitian Association Against Cancer

Andy Jacques
Haitian Fashion Designer

Phillip J. Brutus
State Representative

Yvecar Momperousse
Haitian Student Alliance

The Maroons
Haitian Writers & Poets

Evans Thesee
Founder HaitianConnection.com

Abdias Charles
Founder of Repair Haiti.org

Mecca AKA Grimo
Haitian Hip Hop Artist & Activist

Fania Simon
Writer, Lecturer & Activist

Nadege Fleurimond
Owner of Fleurimond Catering

Interview: Yvecar Momperousse

		Yvecar is a graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in Urban Studies and Metropolitan Planning. She started the first state Haitian Student Association in New Jersey and she is now the Project Director for the National Haitian Student Alliance. Yvecar is a very bright young woman and she's very passionate about the future of our young Haitians in America.
Prodg Entertainment Promotions president, Blake Seide, recently caught up with Yvecar to talk about the National Haitian Student Alliance and its role in supporting Haitian students in this country:

Blake Seide: Yvecar, you're such a hard woman to reach; thanks for talking to us. I know NHSA has been active for a few years now, how did it get started?

Yvecar Momprousse: In 2003 Wyclef Jean attended the 6th Annual National Haitian Student Conference (NHSC) in Amherst, Massachusetts where he had an epiphany. He had a vision that encompassed uniting and networking Haitian students all over the nation so that they could be a powerful voice for the Haitian community. After a year of planning, on Oct.8, 2004, eleven states met to make Wyclef's dream a reality. Today, the Alliance has 13 member states and over 3,000 individual members.

BS: That's a lot of people and I'm sure the list is growing by the minute; so what inspired the start of this organization?

YM: I helped start the 2nd state Haitian Student Association (New Jersey Haitian Student Association) in the country. Unbeknown to me, when NJHSA started, Florida had already created the first state Haitian Student Association (Florida Haitian Student Association). Being a leader and a founder was a rewarding challenge that changed my life. I learned that I could have an idea on paper and make it come into fruition with the help and support of my peers.

A colleague of mine, Serge Aime, had this idea about the National Haitian Student Conference Board. I met Serge at the 6th Annual Conference and he would not stop talking about this conference board. Clef announced that he wanted to start a National Haitian Student organization at the 6th Annual Conference. They both had a dream and I had the knowledge, experience and zeal to make their dreams a reality. I am a glutton for unity, collaborations and young-educated-students being proactive to change their plight.

BS: I am glad you took this initiative; so what is the mission of NHSA?

YM: The National Haitian Student Alliance (NHSA) seeks to unite Haitian youth nation wide and to provide educational/leadership opportunities through college scholarships, project involvement, training and workshops.

BS: So many of our college students can benefit from your organization; is in charge of this project?

YM: In conjunction with the Board of Directors, I am responsible for ensuring that students from 13 different states rise up and be a loud voice for the Haitian community.

BS: I'm glad you mentioned the board of directors, how were they selected? How is the relationship between each member? How often do they meet?

YM: Each state H.S.A. elects or appointments two representatives to serve on the National Board. Those who are appointed or elected from their state make up the Board of Directors. The Board meets at least once a month via phone conference. Our regular meetings are the 3rd Friday of every month. We have a great board! Retreats, trainings, and the National conference help create a strong bond among the NHSA board.

BS: How about the members, how are they recruited?

YM: Grass roots style. Most of the recruitment is done on the local level. Local Haitian Student Associations at each college or university are members of the state Haitian association. The state associations make up the national organization. Currently, I rely on the Internet and the students to market the organization. We are going to embark on a marketing and fundraising plan this year that will really garner members and funds for our programs.

BS: How can colleges, organizations get involved with NHSA?

YM: There are several ways to get involved. We have a number of committees, programs and internships available. If someone is interested they should go to our website: www.nhsai.org. People can also give me a call at 973-280-2307, or contact our membership chair at membershipchair@nhsai.org for more information. Students can become active in their local or state Haitian Student Association, which means that they are also part of NHSA.

BS: Tell me about the Wyclef Jean Scholarship? How did he become involved in your project? What's his involvement level? Who is eligible to receive them? What is the selection process like?

YM: The WJ Scholarship is named after Wyclef since he gave students the incentive to be a part of the organization. This program is still in the formation stage. Students who are ACTIVE members of NHSA will be eligible to apply for this scholarship. Students will have to acquire support from their state H.S.A or be an active member of the organization in order to qualify for a scholarship. A student who is dedicated to community involvement will be more likely to get the scholarship than one with a perfect G.P.A. We are still working on how students will send applications. Not all students write well, so we will come up with something more than an essay to help the scholarship committee make their decision.

This year he has not been as active with the organization due to his schedule. The board is also stabilizing the organization, so that when he and other celebrities come on board, the organization can soar.

BS: Talk to me about the annual conference you mentioned at the beginning, how did it come about? Who's involved? How do you recruit participants? Who are some of the contributors? How can other organizations become involved in this conference? When and where is the conference taking place next year?

YM: Since 1998 the National Haitian Student Conference (NHSC) has grown from an event solely for the colleges in New York City with 100 participants to one that is attended by 1300 students from universities all over the country. Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University, and MIT University are just a few of the universities to participate in this event. Throughout its evolution, the National Haitian Student Conference (NHSC) has always been fertile ground on which Haitian, African American, and various other diverse students come together to think critically on issues that relate to Haitian culture and heritage. In addition to discussing and learning about Haiti, participants are encouraged to get active in their local community.

The location and the theme of the nine previous conferences are listed below:

Conference Year & Location		Conference Theme
2006 New York University		Breaking Barriers
2005 Florida Atlantic University		Rise of the Phoenix
2004 Rutgers University		A time for Change: Two Hundred Years of Sacrifice
2003 University of Massachusetts		Blood, Sweat, and Tears
2002 Georgetown University		Haiti Now
2001 University of Pennsylvania		The Arts of Haiti
2000 New York University		The Essence of Haiti
1999 Columbia University		The Unity Creates Force
1998 Columbia University		Holding on to Haiti

This year the conference will be at Penn State University in March. Students are not the only ones who participate and enjoy the conference. R&B Grammy winner Wyclef Jean, Edwige Danticat, Mary St. Fleur, Judge Sybil Elias (1st Haitian Judge in NJ), Tyrone Edmond, Council members, Legislators and numerous community leaders display support for Haitian students by attending and participating in the conference.

The hosting state Haitian Student Association and its member volunteers are responsible for the programmatic coordination and planning of the Conference. The National Board oversees the conference and selects the hosting state. In the past, local businesses, Universities, Colleges, Churches, and individuals of the hosting state make donations. The conference is driven and organized by volunteer students fueled by energy and a strong commitment for the empowerment of the Haitian community and the improvement of intercultural relationships. Organizations can contact our Daphney Blanchard at membershipchair@nhsai.org or call me at 973-280-2307 to get involved with NHSA.

BS: I have never attended the conference but this year Prodg Entertainment Promotions will be there and hopefully we can find a way to work together. What can you tell young Haitians living in America without a dream?

YM: Don't waste any time! Time is precious and valuable, so do not waste it. If you do not have a dream, do your research and become informed about what you can do to make a difference in the lives of others. I would say join the Alliance because you will get the support, guidance and referrals that you need to obtain a dream. We have many members, who joined because they were bored, depressed, needed a challenge, wanted to help others, because a friend told them to, the internship was a school requirement, etc. Most students gain a sense of purpose and a dream after being in the organization.

BS: Is there a side of yourself that you didn't know existed until you started this project?

YM: Yes. When you are in a leadership position, you learn all of your faults. (lol) I never knew how much I wanted to help my community until I started this project. I also learned that I have a very serious, business oriented side of me when I am conducting what I think is important business. Those who are close to me know that I am normally very silly and playful. Working on this project brings about the more serious side of me.

BS: Yvecar thank you for the interview; I am very delighted to have had the chance to speak with you. The National Haitian Student Alliance is definitely making a difference in our community and I wish you nothing but success. I'll see you in March at the Conference.

YM: The organization is new and is growing rapidly. We need all students, professionals and community leaders to come together and help stabilize the organization, so we can all make a difference in the Haitian community.