Nou La

In the midst of the pandemic, I developed and led the community advisory for WXPN’s "Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and the Music of New Orleans" audio documentary and event series. This initiative was designed to connect diverse organizations, including the Office of Immigration Affairs and the Center for Experimental Ethnography, to create an authentic and impactful cultural exchange. My role was to ensure that the project genuinely reflected and celebrated the Haitian community in Philadelphia. I enlisted the support of prominent artists and social advocates such as Naomieh J, Stacy “Flyygirl” Wilson, and Natalie Cerin, who each contributed their unique insights to maximize the project's reach and impact on the city’s creative scene.

I also co-produced a virtual panel discussion with the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Experimental Ethnography called “Responsive Roots: Vodou Beats Across the Waters.” The conversation featured legendary musicians and performing artists like Manzé Beaubrun of Boukman Eksperyans and Richard Morse of RAM, and was moderated by Dr. Camee Maddox Wingfield. This event was a key component of the project, fostering cultural exchange and solidarity between participants in the USA and Haiti, particularly in a challenging political climate. The success of this collaboration highlighted my ability to orchestrate complex, multi-organizational projects that are both culturally rich and socially relevant.