Voices of Hope: Recent Episodes
Fonkoze
Voices of Hope is an unscripted podcast brought to you by FONKOZE, Haiti's leading microfinance institution that has empowered hundreds of thousands of rural families to break the cycle of poverty since 1994. In each episode of season one, supporters, staff, and the founders candidly share what drives their philanthropy, their love for Haiti, and their views on the state of the world today.
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 Beacon Best of 2000, and Haiti Noir, Haiti Noir 2. She has written seven books for young adults and children, as well as a travel narrative, After the Dance, A Walk Through Carnival in Jacmel, and a collection of essays, Create Dangerously. She is a 2009 MacArthur Fellow, and a 2020 winner of the Vilceck Prize. Her most recent book, Everything Inside: Stories, is a 2020 winner of the Bocas Fiction Prize, The Story Prize, and the National Books Critics Circle Fiction Prize.
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 Haitian Kreyòl, the voice of the people—and the journalists who risked their lives to broadcast it. McCalla’s performances here are captivating, fueled by wealthy, sophisticated melodic work and intoxicating Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and the juxtaposition of voices is similarly entrancing, raising the dead while shining light on the enduring spirit of the Haitian people. McCalla isn’t just a detached observer, though; she writes with great insight and introspection, grappling with memory, family, and her own Haitian-American identity as she searches for a clearer vision of herself, both as a woman and an artist. Born to a pair of Haitian emigrants and activists, McCalla first rose to fame with the GRAMMY-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops before launching her solo career into widespread acclaim in 2014. The Times raved that “her voice is disarmingly natural, and her settings are elegantly succinct,” while Rolling Stone hailed her “politically pointed lyrics.” NPR declared that her writing is “partly in the moment and partly looking beyond it...seeing truths we've missed. ”McCalla currently resides in New Orleans, LA.
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 creative practice that encompasses performance-based reparative interventions, video, photography, and collaborations. Huber also usurps the staple gun, aware of its symbolic significance as a weapon, while offering the potential to renegotiate unequal power dynamics and the possibility of repair, symbolically stitching wounds together (pain-things). Known for her artistic research contribution to the “Demounting Louis Agassiz” campaign, she is aiming to reassess the glaciologist’s contentious racist heritage. She holds an MA in visual culture from Aalto University in Helsinki and is presently undertaking a practice-based PhD in artistic research at Zurich University of the Arts. In 2018 Huber was the recipient of a State Art Award from the Arts Promotion Centre Finland.
In 2021–2024, her work is touring under the title “You Name It”, produced by The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery in Toronto and Autograph in London. A comprehensive book with the same title was published by Mousse Publishing in November 2022
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 influential writers and composers of her generation. She broke the gap by giving her fans of all ages a song to relate to. Where did music start in her life? Tifane is a daddy’s girl. He groomed her musical ear and encouraged her to listen to all genres like Reggae, Jazz, Soul, classical and mostly Haitian music.
Stemming from so much culture, Tifane quickly showed the world how talented she is. Her first record selling single "Se Kòm Si" is the song that truly put her on the map. Since releasing her first album "Anprent", which she wrote and composed, she has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Haitian music and has proudly taken the opportunity to represent Haiti by performing in the Caribbean, United States, Canada, Europe.
To date, Tifane has received over 13 awards and 2 official titles during her reign of 18 years in the music industry. Tifane is known for a very long list of hits and her strong stage presence. Her latest work definitely speaks volume about how she reinvents herself and raises the bar
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 collaborated with the likes of Tiësto and Calvin Harris. Earlier this year, Michaël signed his first major label deal with Astralwerks and has put out a myriad of singles in just 2023 alone.
His recent singles are a melting pot of global influences and collaborators. From the upbeat, sunshine-soaked jam “Coming Your Way” with Anne-Marie and Becky G to the smash sensation “Jessica” featuring SAINt JHN, Charly Black, J Perry, and a surprise verse from J Balvin, Michaël Brun is a master at uniting sounds from all over the world without ever compromising his signature Haitian flair. He operates without boundaries, creating a genre-less sound which serves as a perfect environment in which his collaborators can shine. Earlier this year, Michaël released FAMI Summer, his three-song EP which encapsulated the sound of the Caribbean diaspora, merging sounds from Haiti, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Guyana.
Michaël brought his Bayo tour, a touring version of the block parties he would throw in Haiti that would bring together veteran and emerging local artists (Boukman Eksperyans, Tabou Combo) with some of the world’s biggest stars (Major Lazer, Mr. Eazi, Wyclef), back into the spotlight this year. He took over New York’s iconic SummerStage and serenaded nearly 5,000 people with his infectious tracks. Michaël is primed to finish out 2023 even stronger than he started it. He is just getting started and will continue his Bayo Block Party Tour later this fall before heading overseas to tour in Europe and the UK.
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. Sheis passionate about bringing friends and supporters to Haiti on Insight Trips, where the impact of Fonkoze's dedication can be seen in the lives of hundreds of thousands of women in rural communities.
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 drive of New York life, Paul began to create a path where music, activism, and history meet.
With a unique and transfixing sound he calls 'Roots/Blues', Paul weaves his impeccable guitar skills, rich, vocals, musical ingenuity, and cultural history together; all while performing a smooth melange of both English, French, and Creole (the native tongue of his Haitian roots).
In April 2020, Paul released his much anticipated live album ‘Rasanbleman’ (Red Moon) with his band Zing Experience. The album features some of Haiti’s best talent, including Michael Brun, Anie Alerte, J Perry, Mikaben, TROUBLEBOY HITMAKER, Gardy Girault, Jean Caze, Kanis, and Kabysh.
Paul has played alongside some of the world's best artists, including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Maxwell, Arcade Fire, Jackson Browne, and Bob Weir. Worldwide performances include venues such as The Beacon Theater and Radio City Music Hall in NYC, Massey Hall in Toronto, The Ryman Theatre in Nashville, The House of Blues in Chicago, The Montreal Jazz Festival, Festival Internationale, Nuits d'Afrique in Montreal, Le Trianon in Paris, The Paleo Festival in Switzerland, No Siesta Fiesta in Norway. These continued accomplishments make him one of the few artists coming out of Haiti to garner worldwide success.
Paul joined forces with Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ), and became an integral part of their organization. In January 2020, he released in collaboration with Jackson Browne, along with several other artists, including Jon Russell (the Head and the Heart), Jonathan Wilson, Habib Koite, Jenny Lewis, and Raul Rodriguez an album ‘Let the Rhythm Lead: Haiti Song Summit, Vol. 1’ for APJ. He also continues to be an active member and performs at their many events in the USA and Canada. This allows Paul to do what he loves; play music while also furthering awareness of Haitian art, and culture and promoting the incredible talent of Haiti's youth.
Paul’s album titled 'Vilnerab', released in 2015, soared directly to #1 on iTunes in the World Music category, receiving rave reviews. In 2016, he was nominated for a Dora Award by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts for ‘Outstanding Sound Design/Composition’ in the production of Espwa/Espoir. His second album, "Ayibobo", released in May of 2018 on Ropeadope Records, saw Paul's further evolution of sound into Rock/Roots/Blues music.
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 audiences across Europe and the Americas for more than 20 years, with 12 musical albums, including appearances at New York’s Carnegie Hall; The United Nations; Ontario’s Luminato Festival; Montreal International Jazz Festival; New Orleans Jazz Fest; Tasmania’s Ten Days On The Island; the Teatro del Silencio, where she performed with Andrea Bocelli and the Choir Voices of Haiti in Italy; Zimbabwe’s Harare International Arts Festival; and on MTV’s, Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief fundraiser.
Hailed by the New York Times as a “Diplomat of Music” and “The dancing ambassador with a voice serene and warm like the breeze,” Michel first began singing with the gospel choir of the Church of Gonaïves, Haiti. She later studied at the Detroit Jazz Center and returned to Haiti, where she completed her first album before moving to France to hone in on her skills under the tutelage of legendary vocal coach, Richard Cross. Now based in New York City, she runs her own production company, Production Cheval de Feu, and is currently touring in support of her upcoming new album and autobiographical documentary highlighting her love of children and her country titled, The Aroma of My Land (2019). To witness an Emeline Michel show, is to experience passion, exuberance, love and genuine presence in music.
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 Carlos Santana and George Benson to Haitian protest singer John Steve Brunache. Steeve is a founder and band leader of the racine band Lakou Mizik. His love for Haiti runs deep and he has dedicated himself to both learning the various Haitian musical styles as well as to teaching the next generation of musicians and producers both at the Artists Institute of Haiti in Jacmel and through the Boulo Valcourt Foundation in Port-au-Prince.
Steeve has made a name for himself as both a solo artist and a band leader and has helped launch the careers of a whole generation of young Haitian artists from his studios in Haiti.
He has worked with a whose who of Haitian music as well as international stars such as Jackson Browne, Jonathan Russell of the Head and the Heart, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Win Butler & Régine Chassagne of Arcade Fire. Through his work with young artists and by spreading Haitian culture around the world with Lakou Mizik it’s sure that his father would be proud.
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 traditions but present them as relevant today. Her Altar Art and Wearable Altar projects position these customs as necessary practices for contemporary living.
A solo artist and a member of the band Bohio Music- she is widely known throughout Haïti and its diaspora for her unique fusion of Haïtian music with African roots, American R&B, Soul, and Jazz. As the director of Tout Se Pa she offers dance education around the world. Riva’s practice is about elevating and preserving Caribbean culture, promoting wellness, facilitating healing, and offering ways to engage spirituality through her music and dance therapy.
Instagram: @riva.nyri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itXGvhzN0dA
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.
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.
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.
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 us as we discuss the journey it took to make CLM the program it is today.
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, and more.
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 and empower the people of Haiti through microfinance and self-sustainability. Join us as we go in-depth into Fonkoze’s history.
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 lives."
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.
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 friendsthrough 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.
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.
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.
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.