Join FIU Campus Life, FIU Libraries, and the Digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC) for this engaging fireside chat featuring the author of "Notre Histoire," Ghislain Gouraige Jr., providing a unique perspective on Haiti's first century as an independent nation. This not-often-told story sheds light on the sacrifices made for Haiti's hard-won independence, overcoming international isolation, persecution, and hostility. Accompanying this insightful conversation is a powerful spoken word performance by the esteemed actor, activist, and educator Mecca "Grimo" Marcelin, who will be dressed as Toussaint L'Ouverture, famously known as the "Black Spartacus." FOOD WILL BE SERVED! PLEASE RSVP!

About the Book "Notre Histoire"

"Notre Histoire" by Ghislain Gouraige Jr. is a narrative told from the Haitian point of view, specifically in English, for members of the Haitian diaspora. It serves as an essential educational piece, emphasizing the resilience and sacrifices made to achieve independence. The narrative transcends historical challenges, offering a hopeful perspective on the strength of resilient people.

"Notre Histoire" by Ghislain Gouraige Jr. is a narrative told from the Haitian point of view, specifically in English, for members of the Haitian diaspora. It serves as an essential educational piece, emphasizing the resilience and sacrifices made to achieve independence. The narrative transcends historical challenges, offering a hopeful perspective on the strength of resilient people.

About the Author

Ghislain Gouraige Jr. is the author of Notre Histoire. Since June 2022, Ghislain has served as a partner at NewEdge Wealth. Prior to this position, he was Managing Director at UBS Private Wealth Management. He has worked for nearly three decades with endowments, foundations, and family offices, helping them meet their investment needs and philanthropic goals. As a private wealth advisor, he is focused on assisting entrepreneurs and their families navigate issues they face through their business transition, offering assistance with thorough and strategic planning. Ghislain is very active in the community, currently serving on the board of directors of the Ayiti Community Trust, the Dade Fund, the board of overseers of the University of Pennsylvania Museum, the James Brister Society of the University of Pennsylvania, and much more.

About the Artist

Mecca "Grimo" Marcelin is a cultural ambassador and a champion for youth programs. His five uncles were musicians, and his great uncle, Félix Morisseau-LeRoy, was a renowned poet who broke the language barrier by writing and reciting poetry and plays in Haitian Creole. Mecca followed in his uncle's footsteps and embraced music and spoken word/poetry at a young age. In 2006, he was added to Wyclef Jean's "Sak Pase" label and triumphed in the hip-hop Kreyol movement. Mecca is the host of a soiree at the Caribbean Marketplace in Miami's Little Haiti called "Poetic Lakay" on the last Friday of each month. Mecca is also the facilitator of "Little Haiti Field Trips," offering cultural excursions through the "Little Haiti Cultural Center" and visits to Little Haiti businesses in the area. His non-profit organization, "Children's Hope Chest of Dreams," d/b/a "FePouLi," has created avenues for children to express themselves by creating a platform to educate through the arts.

About the Moderator

Yanatha Desouvre is a modern-day Renaissance man. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, CBS, ABC, NBC, NPR, South Florida PBS, The New York Daily News, Black Enterprise, Huffpost, South Florida Caribbean News, Reader's Digest, and appearing on the TODAY Show, Desouvre is an acclaimed and award-winning filmmaker, serves as the only full-time faculty of entrepreneurship for Miami Dade College, and is an experienced educator with a unique information technology, public relations, coaching, and communications background. His latest project, Fortunate Son, the Black List, commented that "for fans of (Oscar Winner) If Beale Street Could Talk, (Emmy Winner) Dopesick, and (Oscar Winner) Moonlight, this is a script that deals with emotionally significant subject matter and tackles real-world issues in a compelling way."