be inspired.
BE INSPIRED.
CIE TOUR
The CIE Tour, launched by the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, was an incredible initiative designed to give aspiring young minority individuals like myself the opportunity to pursue careers in the entertainment industry. My first encounter with the tour was nothing short of transformative. It was here that I met the incredible human being Robert Zuckerman, a legendary photographer known for his work on blockbusters like "Terminator," "Transformers," "Bad Boys," "Training Day," and "The Pursuit of Happyness," which is one of my favorite movie posters. This meeting later blossomed into a mentorship that has profoundly impacted my career (more on Robert in a future post!).
Jana babatunde-bey
Coming from Haiti to New York, I had dreams but no direct path to the entertainment industry. but I knew with enough determination the opportunity would present itself. I just had to trust the universe. That first tour opened my eyes. Hearing leaders like Jada Smith, Reginal Hall, and Shawn Martinbrough, share their journeys, I felt a surge of possibility—my dreams seemed not just far-off fantasies but achievable.
Fast forward to the next CIE tour, and there I was, in front of over 200 people, no longer just a participant but a speaker and hosting a photography workshop. I shared the stage with some of the very influencers who once inspired me, discussing my journey and the art of photography. After the talks, I led a photo workshop where I engaged directly, one-on-one, with students, listening to their experiences and learning about their eagerness to make their mark on the world through creative expression. It was exhilarating to hear their aspirations and share insights from my self-taught journey, inspiring them to believe in their potential and pursue their dreams with confidence.
The highlight for me was not just sharing my story but showing that dreams can become reality with determination and the right opportunities. Thanks to Stacey, who shared an internship opportunity and supported me, I secured an internship at Stink Studios, one of the best ad agencies.
I vividly remember our first phone conversation. Stacey and Robert listened to my story and hopes for the future with genuine interest and encouragement, reinforcing my belief that with support and determination, dreams are achievable.
This journey with CIE has come full circle. Wherever you are, keep pushing, seize every opportunity, and remember, that every challenge is a step toward your goals.
Stay tuned for more stories, and never stop dreaming!
Thank you for this experience will& Jada Foundation, Jana Babatunde-bey, Stacey Matthew, Thesatus, Fawwaz AllieRobert Zuckerman.
-
![]()
Create it.
-
![]()
OWN IT
-
![]()
GROW IT
-
![]()
Dream it.
Robert Zuckerman
shilou & SHEELA - A VISUAL DIARY
This is where the link will jump to
May 26, 2024 - Haiti Mother's Day
My mother has always been my source of inspiration and biggest supporter. Growing up, I always had the freedom to express myself, whether it was through the way I dressed, attending summer art camps, dance classes on Sundays, or exploring the beautiful countryside of Haiti in places like Jacmel and Les Cayes. I vividly remember us attending my first music concert together—the first and only time the Fugees played in Haiti. When we weren't at jazz festivals, we would be hanging out by the river or the beach, listening to recitations of poems, singing Twoubadou, and watching the sunset. In Haiti, at night you can see all the stars, especially in the countryside. My mom and I would lay down on our backs on a "nat," a throw mat made out of dried leaves, and gaze at the stars. We would get excited whenever we noticed a shooting star, yelling, "Men youn!" We would also do the same with clouds, trying to make out shapes.
As I explore my art more deeply, I realize how much my childhood and the way my mother raised me have shaped me. Her unconditional love and the freedom of expression she afforded me are the greatest gifts I could have received. I learned not only from exploring the world on my own but also from observing her. Her sense of style, use of color and texture, hairstyles, and the way she decorated our home with art and antique furniture all influenced me.
The more I reflect on my work, the more I see her in me and in my creations. After she had a second stroke, I began documenting the little things we did together. These videos are visual diaries of my affection for her, immortalizing these moments.
LAS TERRENAS - NEW YORK
SELMA
SELMA
March 7, 2024, marked the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. I remember my first trip to Selma, Alabama when I traveled with twenty-five students from York College. We journeyed by bus for twenty-two hours to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Bloody Sunday at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The ride was long but worth it. The long Greyhound bus ride reminded me of the civil rights movement when groups of people would travel by bus. It also made me realize how grateful I should be; fifty years ago, it was dangerous for a group of Black people to travel to the South.
Our first stop was to meet some of the elders from Selma. Most of them had lived through that time. It was fascinating to listen to their stories—they were so welcoming, and I loved the Southern hospitality. We met and had dinner with some of the civil rights activists. The next night, we attended a gala with many Black leaders from various walks of life. There were singers, poets, and an indigenous African dance band performing. Listening to Dick Gregory's unfiltered speech, Al Sharpton, and hearing Martin Luther King III proudly speak of his father were unforgettable experiences.
Walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge was an emotional experience. I walked alongside many who had participated in Bloody Sunday fifty years ago, including John Lewis, Jesse Jackson, and President Barack Obama. Listening to Obama’s powerful speech was incredibly inspiring. I got to witness being made history.
As a Haitian, this moment was particularly poignant. The first time I voted was when I was 19, living in North Carolina. Right before a vacation to Haiti, I made sure to register and cast my ballot. Voting for Obama, the first black president filled me with immense pride. I thought of Toussaint Louverture standing tall on his horse in Port-au-Prince, a symbol of heroism and resilience. He would be proud of this accomplishment, I am.
I have been blessed to experience and document this historic moment. Reflecting on this journey, I am grateful, for how much people sacrificed and fought for our rights.
road to selma
road to selma
LA LUCHA
LA LUCHA
La Lucha "Quisqueya & Haiti: One Island" was an exhibition that brought together artists from different stages of life, from both sides of the island, to celebrate our similarities and differences as one. It was an exhibition I participated in, sponsored by "Haiti Cultural Exchange," an organization that aims to increase awareness of social issues and encourage cultural understanding both within the Haitian community and beyond. They provide opportunities for artists of Haitian descent to develop and present their work. They gave me my first exhibition in New York, offering a window into the vibrant flavors of Haitian culture. Régine, the founder, has been a giant force behind the Haiti Cultural Exchange, opening doors for many of us to showcase the rich heritage of Haitian culture to the world.
Artists
Alex Guerrero • Anthony Louis-Jeune • Carlos Jesus Martinez Dominguez • Ezequiel Taveras • Fermin Ceballos • Francis Francois Decousy • Jose Anaz • Jules Joseph • Kishner Deprinvill • Kenny Rivero • Klode • Jose Jimenez • Maria Monge • Mc Alexander S. Ciceron • Miguel Luciano • Milor Chadevil • Nadine Lafond • Patricia Encarnacion • Pepe Coronado • Rejin Leys • Rene de los Santos • Sable Smith • Sasha Huber • Scherezade Garcia • Shakespeare Guirand • Sophia Domeville • Vladimir Cybil Charlier.
Les enfants de rêves
Many children run around the streets of Port-au-Prince day and night. Most of them do not have a home or parents alive or connected to them. According to a recent article I read on AP News, since the earthquake back in 2010, Haiti's orphan population has increased by about 150%, which means there are now 30,000 orphans. This number is probably increasing as I write this blog. Seeing this on the streets has always caused a sore spot in my heart.
One memory stands out from my time at Nouveau College Bird. My mother would pick me up around 2:30 PM. Even before I saw her, I would hear my classmates screaming, “La manman de Schiller! La manman de Schiller!” which means "Hi Schiller's Mom" in English. They found my mother fascinating, always saying, "Your mom is so young."
I knew my mother wasn't old like my grandma, “Madan Joe.” One day, I asked her, “How old are you?” She looked at me with adoration and replied, “I am 32.” I thought she was old—way older than me, as I was only 9 years old at the time. She looked young and beautiful, and I took pride in that.
Depending on the day, sometimes I would save some of my lunch money to buy snacks for the way home. I had options: Fresko, Sapibon, Juna, or Benyen. Benyen was my favorite and the priciest, but it was worth it. We lived in Fontamara 27 on the southwest coast of Port-au-Prince. My mother and I would walk down "Rue Pave," a one-way street that led to "Grand Rue," where we would catch a colorful tap-tap if we were lucky. Even the “bobota” rides were fun because everyone had to run to get a seat, which was always limited.
These tap-taps often had young kids, sometimes the same age as me, helping the chauffeur fill the truck. At first, I thought the chauffeur didn't need their help, but I later realized that having someone to watch your back and fill the tap-tap quickly helped you stay ahead of other tap-taps. My mother would give them money whenever she could, and I would too. It always made me happy to see their eyes light up when we talked to them and shared whatever we had. They always had these beautiful smiles you couldn't forget.
My mother had a radio show, and one of her missions was to focus on "Restavek." Many parents in Haiti can't afford to feed or send their kids to school, so they give their kids to an orphanage or to friends or distant family in the city with the hope of a better life. Unfortunately, many of these kids end up being physically and sexually abused, sometimes even trafficked. Many revolts and end up on the streets of Port-au-Prince.
There are a few nonprofits, like Little Footprints, Big Steps, that help reunite children and families. This is a very difficult job due to the lack of infrastructure. These issues are not only in Port-au-Prince but throughout the country. There are many nonprofit and privately owned orphanages in Haiti, but some do not operate at the standards they should.
During one of my last trips to Haiti, a group of friends and I visited a small orphanage in Delmas, a rural neighborhood in Port-au-Prince. As we walked in, we were welcomed by the orphanage supervisor. The owner was not there. Everyone came out to say hello, as is the norm in Haiti. They all came from a dark hallway with no lights—you could barely see the floor. We walked in, and they showed us the different rooms and the kitchen, which didn't look like any cooking had been done yet for the day. We went to a nearby supermarket to buy some snacks since we didn't have much; we were broke college students. But we managed to get enough to share with all of them. I could sense the energy changing—some were dancing with no music, others were running around, playing soccer while holding bags of cheese balls. It didn't take much to bring joy into their lives at that moment. It was painful leaving them behind, not knowing what their future would be. It is so painful as I write these words—I see myself in so many of these children.
There is no group or association that speaks on behalf of orphanages in Haiti, as the vast majority are individually owned. This is a topic that is very close to my heart and soul. I am looking for ways to become more involved and use my platform and the talents the universe has given me to shed light on these stories.
MOTOR COWBOY
MOTOR COWBOY
From a distance, the patriotism radiated from his bike, adorned with American flags and Western motifs. Intrigued, I stayed a while, hoping to meet the owner of this masterpiece. After about 10 minutes, he appeared, walking out of the Western Union in Queens Village.
The first thing I noticed was his boots. They had long, pointed toes reminiscent of the Mexican pointy boots culture known as Tribal Guarachero. His weren't as long as the tribal boots, but they were the longest I had seen for a biker. He was wearing a Mustang sports jacket. I approached him, complimenting his bike. To my surprise, he was Chinese.
With a broad smile, he shared his story. When he first arrived in America, he visited Texas, a place he had often seen on TV back in China. He would watch a lot of Western movies and rodeo culture, he fell in love with the spirit of the American West. Although he couldn't live there, he decided to bring a piece of Texas with him. I love the cowboy culture," he said, his eyes gleaming with pride. "I can't live there, so I designed my bike this way." His bike, a rolling tribute to the Lone Star State, features leather saddlebags, fringe accents, and even a few feathers, making it a true work of art.
His love for American culture is evident in the Ford logos on his bike, Mustang jacket, and the Yankee seat cover. Clearly, he loves New York too. New York is full of interesting people, To me, they are like characters from a story. I always want to know their story.
As he prepared to leave, – he lit a cigarette, his face fully hidden by his mask The cigarette dangled from his lips as he mounted the bike, I snapped a photo, to immortalize this moment.
As he rode away, I captured a video of his departure, the flags fluttering in the wind, embodying the spirit of a modern-day urban cowboy.
LAKOU
New York is home to a vibrant Haitian community, particularly in neighborhoods like Queens Village and Flatbush, Brooklyn. Haitian culture thrives among the diaspora, despite the challenges posed by political unrest that make visiting Haiti difficult. Thanks to dedicated Haitian artists and non-profit organizations like Haiti Cultural Exchange, creative avenues are continually being explored to unite the community.
I love the warm season in New York; there’s so much to do and many cultural events. I’m sharing my experience from a party I attended with my friend Amazing photographer Josue Azor at Electric Garden, a beautiful space in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn. Part of a private home, the garden is filled with plants and beautiful stone pavement, partially covered with grass, creating long, curved paths throughout the garden to the small wooden gates that serve as back entrances from the backstreet. There are a lot of beautiful wildflowers, a long swing hanging from the big tree in the center of the garden, I love the hamac and if you look to the right from the street, you can see a few wooden white boxes. These are beehives—beehives in the middle of Brooklyn! Behind this electrifying garden is the home of Chico Boyer
My friend Monvelyno is a multitalented Haitian artist and incredible musician. I worked with him on my project titled “VèVè” project. It’s a short documentary series covering what is present in the Vodou religion and its significance for Haitian Vodou practitioners and even Haitian Christians. This series explores the cultural and spiritual aspects of Vodou, offering a deeper understanding of its role in Haitian society, including its influence on religion, music, fashion, and patriotism. He introduced me to Chico when I shared I wanted to highlight a leader from the community. I made my college thesis on Chico’s beehives, exploring his inspiration for starting them and sharing his passion with his grandson, who was introduced to the bees at the age of four.
In “Myel” the Creole word for honey, I highlighted Chico’s contributions to Haiti’s music industry. Chico, a legend in Haitian music, I compare him to Quincy Jones of Haiti. He has worked with some of the iconic Haitian musicians and produced some of Haiti's top hits until this day and he continues to make music working with younger artists like Anie Alerte, and Paul Beaubrun, who is also the son of the lead singers from Boukman Eksperyans. As one of the original band members of the Grammy-nominated Boukman Eksperyans, Chico played the bass, the band played a pivotal role in the revolution of the late 1970s. Named after Jamaican slave leader Boukman Dutty, who led the first battle of the Haitian Revolution in 1871. The band used their music to fight against a corrupt and violent military regime, despite facing censorship and having to go on exile. Their “Mizik Rasin” blends rock and roll, reggae, African rhythms, and traditional Haitian music, inspired by legends like Bob Marley, James Brown, and Jimi Hendrix. Boukman Eksperyans has historically influenced Haiti politically, socially, and musically. Chico’s home, “Lakou” yard in English has always been open to the community. In Haitian culture, a Lakou is more than a yard; it is fundamental to Haitian spirituality and social gatherings. Similar to the role that communal spaces play in traditional African villages.
These “rasamble”, creole words meaning to gather are featured performances by Gardy Girault, a well-known Haitian Music Producer and DJ celebrated for his Rara Tech genre, combining House music, Afro beats, Rara, and pop. He performed alongside artists like Paul Beaubrun, Riva Précil, and Lakou Musik, and Grammy winner Michaël Brun music producer and DJ as well has been using his music to bring joy, make people dance and empower people around the world and using his talent to share the Haitian culture to the world. I officially met Micheal that day, I have always been a fan of Micheal and the work has been doing around the world sharing good music and promoting Haitian culture. I always wanted to work with, him, about a month later we collaborated on a project. A Lakou community is not only a place to assemble but also a place where you can grow while uplighting your community. When you attend these events, you meet Haitians from all walks of life—musicians, poets, intellectuals, fashion designers, political figures, doctors, students, non-Haitians, business owners, and activists. The diverse textures and rich colors of the people reflect Haiti's broad spectrum of beauty. They offer a window to Haiti, allowing me to feel connected to my roots and surrounded by my beautiful community.
After months of disconnecting to dive into my inner world, After months of introspection, I questioned my purpose and the value of my work as an artist, Haitian, and professional creative. Rediscovering myself and reexploring my past and present, in the process I fell in love with my work and myself again. I never intended to name my website anything other than my name. The name Lakou came to me as an epiphany; If I had tried to name it, I doubt I would have found a better title. My name is my brand, but Lakou perfectly captures the essence of my brand. As I continue to seek these answers, I will share them with you in Lakou.
The images in this post were shot on 35mm film purchased from Photodom, a Black-owned camera store. Around that time, there was a shortage of Kodak 35mm film 400NC, a color film. The store is a few blocks from my apartment in Bushwick, they didn’t have the film I wanted but a helpful gentleman suggested Lomography 800. It was a perfect choice for the party with its vivid colors and great low-light performance. Most images were shot after 6 pm. Photodom is more than just a camera store; early this May 2024, I met Dominique, the founder, at a photo exhibition he curated for his employees. Talk about fucking inspiration! I met so many dope creatives including Ianko, one of the artists from the show also Haitian. I also enjoyed having a beautiful conversation with Mel D. Cole, an incredibly passionate human being. You can use your skills, and you can fake your way to success or to whatever you want something you cannot fake is passion. Whenever someone is passionate you can hear it in their voice and see it in their eyes. After talking to Mel D. for a few minutes I didn’t even have to see his images I could already see the emotions in his images just by the way he passionately expressed his views. Thank you PhotoDom.
I love seeing a brother investing back in the community, inspired by the same community he supports. Photodom is a community for Black creatives by Black creatives, giving minorities a voice through film and digital photography.
The concept was to create a story that brings nature and the Caribbean vibe to an urban city. My creative partner Axum, who was also my girlfriend at that time, decided to use our backyard in East Williamsburg for this project. Every summer, our landlord would plant flowers, creating a garden full of tall tropical plants. Our bedroom and kitchen faced the garden, making it beautiful to wake up to during the spring and summer. I love to observe nature and the world around me. This is something I have been doing since I was a child. Our house in Haiti had grilles that allowed me to see outside, unlike many houses with gates and tall walls. By the main gate, we had a little raised garden bed made of cement. I would use it to get on top of the wall that separates my house and my friend Chritie's house next door. I would sit on top of the wall and watch people passing by, wondering about their stories. This habit has stayed with me; if the occasion presents itself, I usually open a conversation If I get the chance.
Whenever I saw our backyard, I thought of Haiti. We always had a garden at home because my mother loves plants, caring for them as if they were her children. She has a deep love for people, animals, nature, and humanity, seeing beauty where others don’t. When we first moved in, the yard had no garden, but I watched her slowly turn it into a mini forest, attracting all kinds of animals, especially birds. She did this every time we moved, always seeing the potential in these places and people. In the images in the grid above you can see the yard where she just started to plant flowers you can see the evolution.
A day before the shoot, we went shopping in Soho. I saw a beautiful gentleman walking toward me—his skin glowing, and I was drawn to his facial structure. He embodied the character I had in mind for the project, even though I already had a model scheduled. I followed him into H&M, introduced myself, told him I thought it was beautiful and how much I love his skin complexion, and shared the project. He told me he was visiting New York for Fashion Week hoping to meet someone who works in the industry. Inspired by his dedication, I invited him to stay with us, it was a big decision, but my intuition guided me. I feel connected with his story. Cloudious was born in Sudan, just like me he moved to America to follow his dream. So he accepted the offer, and the next day we ended up shooting another theme at the park next to our apartment. For this, I used the handball wall and hung a 30-foot draped stage curtain. The original model, Abraham, did not show up. Abraham was another aspiring model I met on the street as well. At that time, Abraham was homeless, and we had already worked on two projects before. I wanted to help him build a portfolio. I've been blessed to be in the position I am today because a few people saw my potential and gave me a chance. Now, I want to use the talent the universe has given me to see the beauty in people and tell their stories through my art. I will write another essay about his story and a short documentary about his journey.
The soundtrack features the powerful words of James Baldwin. Baldwin's writings have significantly contributed to understanding the black experience, and his voice added depth to our project.
The shoot was deeply rooted in black masculinity and rich Caribbean cultural backgrounds. We aimed to create a story that brought nature into the urban city, celebrating blackness. This project was about the beauty of being black, loving oneself, and embracing our skin and features. For years, white people have made fun of black people's distinct features, such as thick lips and broad noses. This project is a celebration of those very features that have been mocked. We wanted to highlight the beauty, resilience, and richness of black culture through this visual story.
Cloudious was AMAZING, everything came to him so naturally. We developed a friendship with him and kept in touch. A few months later, he called to tell us he had signed with DNA Model Management, using the images from the shoot. We met his agent, their beautiful open space office in Chelsea. Since then, Cloudious has worked with some of the top photographers like Steven Klein, Stevie Dance, and Elvis Piedra. He has been published in magazines and shot big ad campaigns for Calvin Klein, Balmain, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton Virgil's last collection, Rick Owens, and more. I couldn't be prouder of his achievements.
We collaborated with our friend, jewelry designer Sewit Sium, whose stunning work feels like wearing a superpower piece, each telling its own powerful story. Her brand is rooted in black empowerment and storytelling. I want to continue working with people and brands that align with my values, give back to my community, and create work that empowers black individuals by telling our own stories.
