A CONVERSATION ON BLACK JOY

In 2020, the term Black Joy started being heard all over. As black voices were rising to speak up about the deep injustice and murders against black lives, Black joy was introduced as an act of resistance against a system of oppression and racism. Since then, the term has been echoed louder and louder and we had a chance to sit down with two amazing creatives Tash and Anne Marjorie for an authentic conversation about what Black joy means to them.

From Anne Marjorie:

I just love to see Black people happy. Being able to create the life they want to create, moments of love and happiness. I’m tired of being resilient, but I’m embracing joy as an act of resistance.

To me, I practice joy by holding on to this confidence that no matter what happens God is still in control. We as Haitians, coming from a history of slavery, think we always need to be working.

Black Joy is about unlearning that life is about labor. it is about knowing that we deserve to enjoy life.

I grew up in a community where everybody’s life revolved around work, and I think from a heritage of slavery, they believed that they mattered only when they were doing . Finding freedom from that to embrace balance has changed my life tremendously.

I am deeply encouraged and influenced by the work of black creators on the internet, seeing visual representations of people who look like me , practicing rest , enjoying the simple pleasures of life gives me a boost to do the same .

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Through this transparent conversation, both ladies got to share their stories and perspective. It was an enriching conversation where we got to dig deeper into what Black Joy means for everybody and how we can truly live it in our day to day lives. Tash and Anne-Marjorie are doing such a great job at showcasing this lately through their individual Instagram pages. Anne Marjorie recently reached 10K on Instagram and we believe that more people will have the chance to enjoy her purposeful content that always brings light to our timeline.

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From Tash:

To me, black joy is about allowing ourselves to appear soft, to appear gentle, showing that there is more to us than the stories propagated online. Growing up in America, I’ve never felt like what I had to say about my culture, about the way I was raised as a black girl was ever a topic that people were interested in. It wasn’t until 2020 and Black Lives Matter that friends that had known me for years started asking questions and even caring about what I had to say about all of this. It is very important for me to put out all the things we know to be true, that we’ve held sacred for so long. All the things that we cherish as a community, we hold with each other and deserve to be shared and heard and valued. 2020 showed us that we need to show white people who we are and what is important to us.
Black women never appear soft in society. We are always seen as parenting out of fear, but our homes are filled with nurturing and love and more than what you see. Black people across the diaspora are tired of being strong, are tired of the fight. It’s time to live, to enjoy, to change the narrative, and to reposition ourselves for the future.

I deserve to have good experiences and I don’t have to earn them, or need to be worthy in some way to get them. And it’s so important to me raising our daughters that they know they are worthy and deserve certain things. Modeling a life of freedom is what is important to me, and knowing my kids are always watching to observe that, and that’s how I practice Black joy.

Watch our live replay here!

Don’t forget to follow Tash and Anne Marjorie on Instagram

GETTING TO KNOW ISMAELLA

My name is Ismaella and I am 30 years old. I was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti in 1991. Before I started working for Haiti Design Co. my mom was working there as part of the sewing team. When she spoke to the administration about me, I was able to get hired in 2016. At first, I was a regular employee but then I grew and was integrated in the committee before being promoted manager of the jewelry team called FANM DJANM. This is my position today! I supervise the ladies, I create jewelry samples and keep production going

If I could say more about me, I would say that I am a foodie. I love a lot of dishes! But if I could list just a few things I would say rice and beans, Haitian legim , Eggs and plantain with a fresh salad. My favorite colors are: brown, coral, bordeaux and mahogany.

As a child I always had many ideas and dreams. I wanted to be a veterinary. I wanted to learn many languages. I also loved painting and drawing. After high school I entered law school where I spent 4 years but I do not practice right now. I still have many things I want to accomplish. I am learning English. I do not draw anymore but I use my creative side to make the jewelry which gives me a lot of joy.

My biggest motivation in life is definitely my mom. She gives me strength and motivation for everything that I do. She pushes me to keep going. I always think of our future and this gives me courage to work well. My mom is artistic like me and very good with her hands so we work together. The banderole in the picture above is one we made together for the church. The best lessons I have learned from her are wisdom and humility.

When I am not working, I love being on social media. I love talking to my friends on the phone. We do not physically see each other often but we stay in touch. I consider myself as a peaceful person. I love observing before talking or reacting. I love listening to music: Konpa, Gospel, French songs, English songs…you name it. One of my favorite songs is : “When we were young” By Adele..

Anne-Marjorie rocking her Haiti Design Co earrings

All you need as a Monday Mood Booster is a nice pair of earrings from Haiti Design Co and a bomb Haitian Music playlist 🇭🇹 ✨ “Anye” by Tifane always gets Anne-Marjorie up and ready to tackle the day! What is one Haitian song that always boosts your mood?

Father's Day Feature: Meet Frentz Neptune

Meet Frentz Neptune:

Photographer, Coffee Connoisseur, Entrepreneur, and most importantly- Dad.

My name is Frentz Neptune.  I was born and raised in Haiti.  When I was a little boy my mother moved my siblings and I to the city of Port-au-Prince in search of a better life.  We landed in Cite Soleil for years until my mother saved enough money from selling used clothing to buy a little piece of property in Delmas.  Today I share my time between Haiti and Orlando, Florida.   

Becoming a father is what caused me to purchase my first camera.  I wanted to capture my son’s life in a way that mine was never captured.  I wanted his important moments to be tangible and remembered as he grew up.  Having a family has motivated me to be a provider.  My children are the fuel behind my passion for business and serving others.  I want to be an example for them and show them love in action. 

I went into fatherhood with very little expectations.  I did not have a stable father figure in my life, but I was determined to work on myself and be a rock and provider for my children.  I want them to truly experience what it is like to live in community and help your neighbor.  Hospitality is a beautiful part of my culture.  I also want my children to respect their elders like we are taught to do from a young age.  I want them to know my story and know the strength and beauty my people share.  I speak to my children in Haitian Creole.  I love our language and I want my children to be able to communicate with their family in Haiti.  I also cook a lot of Haitian food, and we have awesome compas dance parties together!  

I opened a direct trade coffee company last year called Avanti Coffee Company.  I have been working with farmers in the southern peninsula growing organic, high elevation coffee.  My extended family members are coffee farmers and by the end of this year we will have planted over 90,000 coffee trees among our farms.  It is a business as mission.  Haiti has a lot of poverty, but I believe economic development can help people out of their problems so we can see a new, prosperous Haiti in the future. I also direct a nonprofit organization called Haiti Foundation Against Poverty.  We focus on education and family empowerment through child sponsorships, job creation through Gift of Hope Haiti, and agriculture development.  I am also a photography/videographer.  I am passionate about telling stories through my lens and showcasing culture and beauty in my country.  

Man, those kids watch everything.  Kids are so curious.  Ha.  My kids are hands on with our work, but most of all I hope they are paying attention to the impact they can make on other people’s lives.  It doesn’t matter where they live or the profession they choose, we all have the power to make a positive impact on people around us.  

Keep up with all of Frentz’s work by following along-

• @frentzneptune

• @avanticoffeeco

• @giftofhopehaiti

• @haitifoundationagainstpoverty 

Click on the images below to learn more and support' Frentz’s work-

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Shop Frentz and his adorable sons’ look here-

Introducing the Decolonization Series

Dear HDC Fam-

I am probably most proud and excited about this project than anything we’ve done in a long time.

After the tragic murder of George Floyd, the world erupted with a long overdue racial awakening that has set the stage for honest & hard conversations around race and racial justice. Some of our network may think that the Black Lives Matter movement is one of controversy and limited to the United States. They may miss how the movement happening right now affects many countries and cultures across the world. The truth of our history is that white supremacy and colonization have formed the world as we know it.  This conversation will inevitably look different for every country and culture. 

In 1804 Haiti became the first Black Republic, as it was home to the first successful slave revolt in the world when she defeated the French. This revolt had a ripple effect as it pushed other nations to fight to end slavery as well. Haiti’s history is a worldwide symbol of Black liberation. 

However, today much of Haiti’s societal norms are entrenched in a mindset enforced by colonization, one of white aspiring, euro-centric ideals. This is not representative of every Haitian experience- because the Haitian experience is one that varies greatly. With that being said, a common experience for many of Haitian descent IS the journey of decolonization, one of unlearning the lies handed down by each generation that were enforced by the oppressor. 

While I am not Haitian, these conversations are ones that are near and dear to my heart. Since making Haiti my home in 2012, I’ve wrestled with the topic of decolonization so much within my personal life. I am thankful for the way that living in Haiti and many amazing friends have pushed me along the way to challenge what I knew to be true and ask the hard questions. On my journey, the work of decolonization, and unlearning a white centered foundation are hand in hand. Unlearning the false narratives and rebuilding with authenticity stronger than before. 

If you are white and follow along through this series, I ask you to engage with an open mind and intent to learn and understand from someone else’s perspective.

If you are Haitian or BIPOC, I hope that you at some point during this series feel seen, heard, and encouraged that you are not alone in your experience, while also knowing that your experience is going to vary from the person sharing. 

During this series you will be hearing from individuals with varying life experiences. Everyone involved is going to have different truths and perspectives. What you will hear is not the experience of myself, of Haiti Design Co, or of anyone else. It is the experience of the person sharing. So if at any time you feel uncomfortable, I ask you to sit in that discomfort before being quick to defend or debunk. This space is a space for unfiltered, honest conversations with Haitians and Haitian Americans. 

Lately we have received some pushback on vocally supporting the movement of Black Lives Matter. We’ve heard things like “You’re a fair trade accessories company, why do you need to talk about this?”. But the thing is, we exist FOR the PEOPLE behind the products. If we are not actively engaging in shifting the moral compass of our society, of breaking the colonial chains of white supremacy, or creating a world where our community can be fully SEEN, HEARD, and FREE, then we are not being true to why we exist at all. 

Thank you for being here! 

N’ap dekole! 

-Chandler Hamilton Busby

Founder, Haiti Design Collective