Edwidge Danticat is the author of several books, including Breath, Eyes, Memory, The Farming of Bones, and the novels-in-stories, The Dew Breaker, Claire of the Sea Light, as well as The Art of Death, a National Books Critics Circle finalist. She is also the editor of The Butterfly’s Way: Voices from the Haitian Dyaspora in the United States, The B…

Combining original compositions and traditional Haitian tunes with historical broadcasts and contemporary interviews, Leyla McCalla’s remarkable new album, Breaking The Thermometer, offers an immersive sonic journey through 50 years of racial, social, and political unrest as it explores the legacy of Radio Haiti—the first radio station to report in…

Sasha Huber (b. 1975) is a Helsinki-based internationally recognized visual artist-researcher of Swiss-Haitian heritage. Huber's work is concerned with the politics of memory, care, and belonging in relation to colonial residues left in the environment. Connecting history and the present, she uses and responds to archival material within a layered …

The beautiful and talented artist, Tifane, is one of Haiti's top female ambassadors of its music and culture. She has taken being a role model and female icon to heart and uses it as a platform to encourage young girls to thrive. Tifane is an icon of Haitian music and remains true to her roots. One would certainly describe her as one of the most in…

Michaël Brun is a Haitian DJ and global producer, known for his ability to blend the sounds of multiple genres (Caribbean, Afrobeats) into wildly successful hits. Michaël left Haiti as a teen in the wake of a coup to go to school in the U.S. and then toured the world as an EDM DJ, where he has performed for tens of thousands at festivals and collab…

Marguerite Lathan was born and raised in Haiti , moved to Canada and the US, and spent 12 years modeling in New York, Japan, Milan, and Paris. Now, she is a licensed clinical therapist and serves on the advisory board of directors for Fonkoze USA and the Fonkoze Foundation in Haiti. She is passionate about bringing friends and supporters to Haiti o…

A scion of Haitian musical royalty, Paul has spent his life living to the beat. Son of the Grammy-nominated band Boukman Eksperyans, his earliest memories are of rhythm and sound. Moving to New York as a youth, he was inspired by his heritage to begin crafting a sound all his own. Constantly aware of his roots, the struggle of an immigrant, and the…

Vocalist, songwriter, producer, and performer Emeline Michel is internationally acclaimed for creating her own musical style by infusing pop, jazz, blues, and traditional Haitian rhythms to create deeply moving and joyful music, that captivates audiences with a magnetic live show. A master entertainer, Michel has been sharing her message with audie…

Steeve Valcourt is the son of the late Haitian musical legend Boulo Valcourt a blues, jazz and roots guitarist who was known internationally and helped popularize traditional Haitian music by bringing it to stages around the world. Steeve grew up surrounded by the top stars of Haitian music and absorbed it all. He cites influences as varied as Carl…

Riva Nyri Precil is a Haïtian multi-disciplinary artist based in Brooklyn New York. After receiving a degree in Music Therapy from Loyola University in New Orleans Riva began a dynamic career that includes work as an author, a visual artist and jewelry maker, a musician, and a dancer. Her work creates connections that not only honor Haitian traditi…

In this episode, we speak to geography professor and longtime supporter of Fonkoze, Dawn Bowen. From the moment she stepped foot into Haiti, she felt an instant connection to the country and its people. Join us as we discuss what drives her philanthropy and personal hope for Haiti.By Fonkoze

In this episode, we speak to Ed Philippe Jean. As a statistician and Director of Monitoring & Evaluation at Fonkoze Foundation, he is data-driven and uses it to drive social development and provide accountability at every turn. Join us as we discuss what it’s like as a young Haitian devoted to making an impact on his country.…

In this episode, we speak to husband and wife Lisa Clark and David Haas. Loyal supporters of Fonkoze, they both share a passion for uplifting others through their work and aim to address socio-economic inequality. Join us as we discuss what drives them to be the change they want to see in the world.By Fonkoze

In this episode, we speak to Ruth and Julian Schroeder, longtime supporters and friends of Fonkoze . Join us as we discuss how the Schroeder’s faith-based approach to life has impacted their work with the people of Haiti and the world around them.By Fonkoze

In this episode, we speak to Gauthier Dieudonne, former Director of CLM (Fonkoze’s empowering program for ultra-poor families in Haiti). For 18 years, he worked with Fonkoze to serve marginalized families living in rural and remote areas by giving them access to supportive life skills training, health services, confidence-building, and more. Join u…

In this episode, we speak to Leigh Carter: Founding Executive Director of Fonkoze USA. From its inception nearly 30 years ago, Leigh has been instrumental in making Fonkoze the beacon of hope and solidarity it is today. Join us as we discuss how her childhood in Alabama helped shape the woman she is today, what she hopes the future holds for Haiti,…

Our Voices of Hope podcast's Founders Month series continues with Anne Hastings. As Founding CEO of Fonkoze, she was instrumental in growing Fonkoze from a three-person team nearly 30 years ago to an organization that eventually employed hundreds and reached thousands across Haiti. Anne has been steadfast in her mission to eliminate extreme poverty…

In this episode, we speak to Fr. Joseph Philippe. As one of Fonkoze's founders, he has dedicated his life to serving the people of Haiti, particularly in rural areas. Join us tonight as we speak about his life's work and how his childhood in Fondwa helped shape the man he is today. "I'm fighting against poverty and helping the poor transform their …

In this episode, we speak to Brian Kearney-Grieve, Chairman of SFF (Fonkoze Financial Services) since 2014. He is a philanthropist with an extensive background in microfinance and is passionate about making fundamental systemic changes that address inequality in all forms.By Fonkoze

In this episode, we speak to Carine Roenen, Executive Director of the Fonkoze Foundation. A medical doctor with a Master’s Degree in Public health, she has been with Fonkoze for over 13 years, creating and implementing programs that empower the people Fonkoze serves. Her commitment to Haiti is unwavering and shows through her work.…

In this episode, we speak to Marguerite Lathan and Laura Stephens, who became friends through their shared love for Haiti. Both longtime supporters of Fonkoze's work, they each have stood in solidarity with the people of Haiti for years - by volunteering their time, talents, and resources to advance Fonkoze's empowering mission.…

In this episode, we speak to Jean-Garnier Bélizaire, a Haitian-American banker whose Haitian roots and love for Haiti run deep. Sitting on a number of not-for-profit boards that support local US communities, Jean-Garnier is also a board member of Fonkoze USA, which enables him to help Haiti in a meaningful way.…

In this episode, we speak to James and Rebecca Langer, longtime supporters and friends of Fonkoze, as they reflect on their personal history with Haiti and Fonkoze. We also discuss how it feels to see empowerment at work.By Fonkoze

In this episode, we speak to Larry Arbuthnott, Fonkoze's newly elected board chair, about his Haitian heritage and the path that led him to work with Fonkoze. We also discuss his hopes for the future of Haiti and its people.By Fonkoze

In this episode, we speak to Brian and Diana Lovett, longtime supporters and friends of Fonkoze, as they look back on their very personal journey with the people of Haiti, whom they hold dear.By Fonkoze

In this episode, we speak to Marie-Claire Dorcely, Chief Administrative Officer of Fonkoze Financial Services (SFF). The discussion revolves around what it takes to work within a community facing hardships and why sometimes, for some, returning to your homeland to be on the frontlines is the only way forward.…

In our first episode, music producer and long-time supporter of Fonkoze, Matt Balitsaris, voices his hopes (and more) for Haiti and shares his thoughts on the state of the world today.By Fonkoze