Creole Hip Hop Spotlight:
No More Fear

Mr. Jacky Poteau: President FATEM

Jhon Clark Parent: Seasoned Musician

Recipe for Success: A Benefit Gala

In Support of Our Love

By Othniel St-Ulme

I recently had the privilege of participating in the 4th Annual Urban Walk for Haiti in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a fundraising event to support health initiatives in our "Haiti Chéri." As God smiled upon us with some of the best weather of the season to this point in the Boston area, many walked and many enjoyed the arts- displayed and performed. Many in attendance were Haitian. Many more were not. This reality was not lost on me. The good news was, thus, three-fold. One, this was evidence that some Haitians are actively seeking to lift up their country and community. Two, this was also evidence that Haitians were not alone in their efforts and, therefore, were actually part of a greater community. Lastly, the turnout was evidence that there are still many more Haitians (and collaborators) out there who are yet to- but able to join in the support of something that we all claim to love so much. This day is our call to build and further our support for Haiti Cheri.

I find that here are many ways to define the word "support." Some very suitable definitions from MSN Encarta include: To stabilize; to give active help; to be present and give encouragement. Consider most strongly in this case, however, the following characterization: To enable something to live. Our support is whatever we can do to enable Haiti-and all that it encompasses- to live.

The Urban Walk for Haiti was, for me, an opportunity to do so, by contributing time, money, and energy. And though my 'support' may seemingly be dwarfed in the face of the level of need, and even perhaps in comparison to the 'support' of another, I submit to you the power of one. That tiny pebble that creates ripples across an entire mass of water is you and it is me, joining with other pebbles and with the elements above and under water to create effectual movement. The proof is no further than in the radiant examples of the individuals highlighted in this publication, issues past and present. We are today charged with uncovering opportunities to be pebbles in our community, for our beloved country. And as I find myself increasingly compelled to do so, I'm also finding that these opportunities are abundantly present. They always have been. What has changed is my awareness. Under the notion of awareness, I enclose multiple components: First, the belief in the power of one; second, the willingness to exercise said power and, third, access to these ever-abundant opportunities. While the burden of the first two may lie firmly on the shoulder of the individual, awareness at the level of access is facilitated by mediums such as Prodg Entertainment Promotions (P.E.P.) and its relationship with the readers. Through movements such the P.E.P. and its newsletter, we can raise awareness to action. To Support.

The opportunities are present to support our community; however you may define it for yourself. Through music, through art, through public service, through corporate businesses, through not-for-profit organizations, we find the canals through which we may breathe life into fellow Haitians at work as well as those who are in need. And in supporting either and all, we serve our Country. In November 2006, P.E.P.'s Creole Hip-Hop Correspondent, Johnny Jacques, aspired to a day when "we all reflect and say 'I love Haiti and I love the Haitian people.'" I submit to you that today may be that day. Truth is, Haiti the Country is The Haitian People- nothing more, nothing less. We cannot love one and not the other.

In the spirit of raising awareness and creating opportunities to support our community, this month's newsletter features more pebbles in the form of individuals, groups and organizations among us in the Haitian community. Features include a piece on Jhon Clark Parent, a promising musician set to release his sophomore album, "My Creole Chapter," an integration of Soul, R&B, Reggae and Hip-Hop. We will also access a brother by the name of Jackie Poteau, president of F.A.T.E.M., an organization charged with assisting the Haitian city of MireBalais, in the efforts towards technological and economical advances.

You may also anticipate reviews of the aforementioned Urban Walk for Haiti, which took place on March 31st. This edition also brings to light more upcoming events, including Prodg's first event, the Creole Hip-Hop Expose, slated for May 27, 2007, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Another community event finds the Creole hip-hop family coming together on May 18th for the "Creole Hip-Hop Rally against Injustices towards Haitians in America," which will take place in South Florida at Chef Creole. And we neglect not to mention the Young Culinary Masters, promoting their April 28th event, "The Recipe for Success Benefit Gala" in New York City. The opportunities are abundant, and that which is loved will live.

With love for Haiti the People,
Othniel St-Ulme

Jhon Clark Parent :Seasoned Musician
	Jhon Clark Parent, a young Haitian, born in the 80s, one of Haiti's promising guitarists, moved to the US in the 90s is set to release his sophomore effort following his freshman release of the trilogy album "My Creole Chapter". Jhon Clark, a seasoned musician, born into the famed Parents family where music was imprinted at birth in his soul, has worked within the Haitian Music Industry for years, starting with Lakol, King Kino's band "Move Move", Tantan, Nu Bazz and few local bands in Petion Ville sat down with Prodg to give us an insight on being a musician in the technological era.
	Read our interview with Jhon Clark Parent

Recipe for Success: A Benefit Gala
Announcement
Prodg would like to introduce an innovative new program by one of our supporters, Nadege Fleurimond of Fleurimond Catering, Inc. Nadege Fleurimond is an entrepreneur living in New York City. As some of you may remember, she was one of the first interviews we conducted last year. Please read below her new program that is taking New York by storm.

Cooking it up...by Nadege Fleurimond

Having been reared in a Haitian household, where home cooking was essential, I could not believe the number of Haitian adolescents and teens that I saw standing at the KFCs, Chinese restaurants and McDonalds in New York. Though we have always been a culture that does not focus on weight, we used to be a culture that focused on fresh and naturally grown foods. And I fear because of lack of time on the part of parents and the myriad of bad choices available on every corner, we are definitely moving in a bad direction-away from a healthy and nutritional rich diet to one that is loaded with "ambiguous" and very unhealthy ingredients.

Read more here!