“I’m a Haitian American woman named Blonde, so I get to share my heritage right away with, “Hello, my name is”! I feel blessed to have a name that makes me generally more comfortable with awkward moments, inappropriate questions or immediate disapproval because of an unexpected truth: I’m not a “blonde” and yet I AM Blonde. I feel I’ve been given the privilege of celebrating black heritage in a very organic and inclusive way. It’s not just about who calls themselves black, it’s about how we can exist harmoniously.

I started a food business called thisHAITI – it’s a combination of sharing my passions for Haitian culture and food, and a way to help change the poorly perceived narrative of the beautiful land of Haiti and her people.

I currently make and sell varieties of an organic dry spice blend and plantain chips, as well as Haiti’s nationally celebrated spicy condiment called pikliz, which was featured in the Wall Street Journal and other publications. I feel like I’m pioneering a new food category in the ethnic foods section. This is challenging, but it is a legacy I’m committed to establishing for my future generations.

In addition to my business, I want to leave a legacy  related to the conversation I love having with God and others on the subject of faith+identity+culture. I believe most of our personal challenges are rooted in not knowing who we truly are and why we are on this earth, and therefore not knowing how we are each uniquely equipped to effectively carry out the great commission. I hope to affect and transform minds by pointing others to Jesus via my actions and words, encouraging them to discover their God-breathed identities, and championing them to be the change makers they are anointed to be. When we have a beautiful relationship with Jesus and know who we are, we are essentially immune to falling under cultural oppressions. Legacy to me begins with escaping oppression.

Black History Month is an opportunity to engage in healthy conversations with people from diverse backgrounds and discover how we have more in common than otherwise perceived. It’s a chance to develop deeper relationships while carrying newfound attitudes into our daily lifestyle.”