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Issue 1: July 06
Featuring Mecca AKA Grimo, & Abdias Charles.
Issue 2: August 06
Featuring Evans Thesee, The Maroons,
Mr. Reo, & Phillip Brutus.
Issue 3: September 06
Featuring Yvecar Momprousse, fashion designer Andy Jacques,
Nathalie Guillaume (Nati Dred), and Johnny Jacques showcasing the Creole Hip Hop movement.
Issue 4: October 06
Featuring the Haitian Woman: Fania Simon, Dr. Carole
Berotte,
Pascale Auguste, and Sulaah.
Issue 5: November 06
Featuring Artists Bennchoumy, Myrtelle Chery, Gashford
Guillaume and our Christmas Story Contest.
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Issue 4 - October
2006
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In This Issue:
Creole Hip Hop Spotlight: Sulaah
An interview with Carole Berotte Joseph, Ph.D, MassBay Community College's new president
Pascale Auguste and the Haitian American Association Against Cancer
A breast cancer survivor's personal story
Creole Hip Hop Spotlight: Sulaah
by: Johnny Jacques
Seeing how you will be reading this name a lot from me in the articles coming, it’s only right I
give her proper introduction. Her name is Sulaah Bien-Aime, she stands maybe 5’2” and is from Brooklyn, but if you asked anyone
involved in the Creole Hip Hop Movement, she’s a giant. Some of you may already be familiar with her work without knowing. If
you’ve ever visited the website to Kafou inc, or watched the television show on the BCAT channel or website “The Cell” and have
been unaware until now, that’s Sulaah’s work. Aside from heading the Creole Hip Hop Movement and Kafou Inc, Sulaah has also
been deeply involved in Haitian films. She recently co-wrote and starred in the up and coming drama “Selfish Love” and is
working on more productions for future releases including a documentary about the Creole Hip Hop Movement.
Now that I’ve gotten the introduction out of the way, let me give you the real and explain what
this woman means to the Creole Hip Hop Movement. Queen Sulaah as I like to call her when teasing is to the Creole Hip Hop Movement
what Russell Simons has been to American Hip Hop. When it’s all said and done and this movement is a common name in every Haitian
and non-Haitian home all over the world, Sulaah will be known as one individual that took it upon herself and put the movement on
her back and carried it to success. All of the artists in the movement ranging from Florida to Boston will attest, without Sulaah,
we’d just have a bunch of Haitian artists rapping in Creole, but not a movement.
Her contribution to this movement transcends just the music. Her support for these artists
and everyone surrounding her is truly heartfelt. I really believe some of these artists would have given up on their art by now
has it not been for Sulaah’s belief in what they are doing. The moral support isn’t enough alone, she’s given them a voice and
an outlet to do what they love. All involved in this struggle share one thing in common; we all look to Sulaah for guidance and
direction. One sit-down with her and you’ll fall in love with what she’s doing and understand why so many trust her judgment
and instincts. It also charms those that I’ve introduced to her, how approachable she is. From her character, you would never
realized who she is and what she means to this movement unless someone like me referred you to the do-it-all Queen of the
Creole Hip Hop Movement. She’s very low key and likes to remain unseen. In other words, you will probably never see Sulaah
in front of a camera basking in the glory, though it would be well deserved.
For the purpose of this article, I did ask her to explain to me what her official position is in
the movement. The discussion could have gone on for the entire day. As hard as it is for me to describe what she does in a few words,
it’s harder for her to give herself a label. She does more then provides artists with a stage through her Kafou Inc. Productions’
Creole Hip Hop blowouts and numerous stage shows. She also manages virtually every artist to some degree. She is the movement’s
PR person and promoter. She approaches everything she does from non-bias standpoint which makes it easy for any even artists new
to the movement to just fit right in and feel at home.
It must be noted that other then the Creole Hip Hop Movement, Sulaah is very involved in
Spanish Hip Hop Movement as well as French Hip Hop’s underground artists. I am still baffled on where the time and energy comes
from. Her value is undeniable to everyone she’s touched and I foresee her touching millions once her story is complete.
So to tally it all up, Sulaah Bien-Aime in my judgment is the brains behind the Creole Hip Hop
Movement. She serves as the movement’s spokesperson, manager, the glue that has keeps it together and moving forward and most
importantly, its biggest fan. She’s dedicated her life to the artists and the music. In many ways, her name has become
synonymous with what this movement is and all of the reasons why it will reach its audience. Aside from just the movement,
she’s involved in the Haitian film industry, Spanish Hip Hop as well as French Hip Hop.
As a Haitian and as a woman, she is honorable. Our Haitian society isn’t the kindest to women
trailblazers. It is very refreshing to see a Haitian woman leading the pack of pioneers and serving as an example that no mountain
is ever too hard too climb or in this case, move, as she’s set to move mountains.
Ladies and gentlemen, please make room for the Queen. Sulaah Bien-Aime.
www.kafouinc.com
www.selfishlovemovie.com
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Greetings!
We are devoting this month's issue to honor some
powerful and inspiring Haitian women among us. We feature in this issue, an
introduction by one of our past interviewees, Haitian writer, poet, and activist
Fania Simon, an interview with the president of MassBay Community College, Dr.
Carole Joseph, an interview with Ms. Pascale Auguste, project coordinator for the
Haitian-American Association against Cancer, and a spotlight article about one of
the founders and current leaders of the Creole Hip Hop movement, Sulaah Bien-Aime.
In addition, we wanted to mark Breast Cancer Awereness Month, October, with a
personal story by a breast cancer survivor. We hope you enjoy this issue and
continue to support our project by making a donation to us.
Haitian Women: Embracing The Struggle
by Fania Simon
I remember growing up in Port-au-Prince, I used to sit and
quietly reminisce about the struggles of Haitian women. Early in the morning, way before the
crack of dawn, Haitian women would rise to the challenges of life. They would greet the
rising sun, carry their strengths and face the streets of Haiti with their heavy load on
top of their heads. As the hours passed by, their bodies would obey the rules of the Haitian
heat, and in that heat, they would still swing with elegance.
I remember one particular Haitian woman. We called her
"vielle femme". Her name reflected her old age. Still, she was dangerously stylish. Poverty
would not dare rape her beauty. My childish eyes would dance as I watched her passed by my home.
Tightly, her hair was beaded with resistance. I would watch her sit on her donkey, facing the
challenges of the day that was ahead of her. I would watch her perfect posture and wonder why
people called her "vielle femme". Like the shinning sun, I felt her energy as she waved politely
to strangers whom she met along the way. Every day she stirred life in order to feed her
children. Like Christ, she was magical, turning a dime into a dollar, her sweat into bread and
allowed her children to feast in her love.
Today in the United States, I am watching the Haitian woman
and her struggles all over again. Like her shadow, I’m watching her and following her roll with
the snow. I identify with her footsteps—Just like many women who passed the road before me. Like
Edwidge, a well- known writer, who writes to share awareness about our people’s struggle to the
world. Like, Sula a strong feminine spirit promoting our underground treasures of Haiti to the
world, like Manze Dayilla, a Haitian artist with voice of thunder; she sings life back into
order. Like poor Rosa, who burns wood and turns wood into charcoal. She too is magical.
She plants rice for consumption. She stumps to life’s rhythms.
Someone said: When life gives you lemon, you must make
lemonade, and yes, the Haitian woman is an expert lemonade maker. Whether living in Haiti,
or living in the other islands in the Caribbean, whether living in the United States or
living in Canada, whether living in Europe or living in Africa, the Haitian woman is in
agreement with life’s struggle. From sun up, she works hard and paves the way for her sons
and daughters. Indeed, she is the mirror image of Mother Nature. She aims to nourish her
land and not let it turn to sand. She is the perfect symbol of résistance.
Friends, please, allow me to conclude my thoughts by
sharing a poem with you. Unwind your eyes and consume my love that shines brightly through
this piece.
The Haitian Lady
Look at the strength she is carrying.
Tightly, her hair is plaited with resistance
Boldly, she is sitting on her donkey
she is heading north
Today the sun gives her extra energy
That’s why she burns woods
And turns nature into charcoal
She plants rice for consumption
She stumps to life’s rhythm
She ties her waist with a red rag
She waits for thunder to award her a baby
Like light wind caressing dust,
The gods took her husband away.
And it’s only the Veil
That she was born under
That is now covering her away.
She can see you
But you can’t see her
There
She is the mirror of true résistance
To Haitian women everywhere, it is with great honor I
uplift you as you continue to cuddle with life’s struggle.
Peace & Blessings to you all
Fania Simon
An interview with Carole Berotte Joseph, Ph.D, MassBay Community College's new president
 Dr. Carole Berotte Joseph was appointed president
of MassBay Community College in Boston and became the nation’s first Haitian-born college president. Dr. Joseph who has been on the
job for a little over a year spent the past ten years as the Dean of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer of another college.
She moved to the United Sates in 1957 and speaks four languages fluently.
Prodg Entertainment Promotions president, Bleky Seide, recently recently had a chance to
speak to Dr. Joseph about her new job, and what it means to the Haitian community.
Read our interview with Dr. Joseph...
Pascale Auguste and the Haitian American Association Against Cancer
 A native of Haiti, Ms. Pascale D. Auguste came to the
US at the age of 9 and grew up in Mt. Vernon, NY. With a strong desire to focus on community needs and to play a role within the
health sector, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Pace University in Pleasantville, NY. She currently serves as
Project Coordinator of the Haitian American Association Against Cancer, Inc. (HAAAC), a not-for-profit association dedicated
solely to promoting cancer awareness, education and screening among the ethnic/racial minorities, with a particular emphasis
on the South Florida Haitian-American community.
In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are grateful to have Ms.
Auguste contribute to Prodg Entertainment Promotions’ October newsletter.
Read our interview with Ms. Auguste...
A breast cancer survivor's personal story
 The story that I'm going to tell is a
personal one about my battle with breast cancer. A lump was found in my lower right breast while getting a routine exam
from my family doctor. At the time, I was divorced and dealing with other serious health concerns; I was already going
through so much. Needless to say, I was scared! I had to return to have tests, such as a biopsy, done on the mass to
find out if it was malignant. When my test results came back, both my mom and older sister were right there with me.
It was my older sister who read my results out loud: It was cancer at Stage I. That’s when reality hit: I had breast
cancer at 27 years of age. I remember asking, “Doctor, how could this happen to me at such a young age?” Not knowing
what to expect, I feared dying in this way.
Read the rest of this moving story...
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