An Interview with Founder of New Haiti James Toussaint
By Krista Martinelli
AW: What propelled you to start the organization New-Haiti?
JT: Òganizasyon kretyen frè yo (The Brothers of Christian Education Organization) and my mother. Since I was 8 years old, I have been working on fundraisers. I was passionate about raising the most money. I was never satisfied with second place. Later on, when I migrated to the United States, there was always fundraising going on for Haiti for different disasters. I knew something had to be done. When in college, I spent the weekends on my father’s farm. We invested in a tractor together, hoping to build self-sustainable farm systems all over Haiti. That way people would have jobs. Unbeknownst to me, Haiti was not ready for that kind of an investment in jobs. I came back to the U.S. with the idea of focusing on education instead. I didn’t back down. My background is marketing/management/development, so I went back into my background. Took a brief tenure with the State of Florida in 2008, when the housing market had crashed. I really learned how it would be to get South Florida back on track. The goals are educate, finance, equip and motivate. But financing is really important, and the others cannot be done without it. This was how New Haiti pivoted to a new system, where everyone can thrive. And if we can’t find a solution, we will equip you with others who can. And lastly, we focus on accountability. If we are accountable to one another, we can lift people up.
AW: Tell us about where you are from, where you have lived. Highlights? Lowlights?
Jt: Born and raised in Haiti, in Carrefour Feuille, a small town outside the capital. In elementary school, I learned to fundraise and be active in my community. In 6th grade, we moved to a different school (one of Haiti’s two top schools). After 7th grade, we migrated to the US because of unrest in Haiti. That’s when I fell in love with this country. School was definitely easier in the US, less things to remember by heart. We had our appointment for a green card. I was in high school. We planned to go for Thanksgiving and be back 4 days later on Monday. But because of unrest in Haiti, 4 days became 4 years. Living those 4 years was the harshest time of my life. No electricity, no video games. My only outlet was soccer. You have money in your pocket, but the city was under siege. So you couldn’t spend it. When there is unrest in Haiti, the US embassy closes. After 4 years we finally left and returned to the US. I was cautious about celebrating. I remember that I didn’t celebrate until we landed at JFK. We eventually moved to Florida, and I attended Palm Beach Atlantic, a Christian College. Since then, it’s been all about putting people first. My goal is to lead through love.
AW: What’s the next big thing for New Haiti?
JT: It’s about leading using a new narrative – not thinking America is our enemy. We are also changing the narrative in that it’s OK to talk about mental health. It’s not witchcraft at work; it’s mental health issues that many people are dealing with. We are aligning 40+ organizations together. In the short term, we are raising $350,000 for Haiti. From every direction, you can see signs of hope coming your way. We have a strategic plan in place to spend $5 million in 3 years. The infrastructure we are building cannot be undone.
AW: Tell us all the ways your organization helps people in Haiti.
AW: What are your biggest challenges with the organization?
JT: One main challenge that comes is that…you can fix 1/3 of Haiti’s issues just by fixing customs. That’s where dreams go to die. Food gets stuck at Customs. Food For the Poor was recently stuck at Customs. The other thing is Haiti fatigue and lack of faith. Haiti has been in the news for so many years. It doesn’t hurt to give someone their 15 seconds. But people get burned out hearing about the problems in Haiti, thus “Haiti fatigue.” WPBF 25 did a great story with me recently, which was a different take on this well-worn subject. We are talking about human lives…every life deserves a little bit more attention and respect.
AW: Tell us a little about the history of Haiti, now considered the poorest country in the world.
JT: At one time, Haiti was the richest country in the world. In 1492, it was the richest colony. In the 1800s, Haiti was thriving for the French. The French were forced to do the Louisiana purchase. By the way, the founding Father of Haiti was Touissant. If not for his demise, we would have been another place. Haiti set out to rid the world from slavery. Haiti sent funds, guns, emissaries to other countries, especially to countries in Africa; we wanted everyone to be free. Today, we want to raise our country back to the level of our history.
AW: What are some of your fondest memories of living in Haiti?
JT: I could say it revolves around soccer. Our country is divided in two teams, since Haiti doesn’t have our own team. We adopted Brazil or Argentina. At their jobs, no one is working without watching the game. Even at church. Unfortunately, players who excel in Haiti have a lack of opportunity, because we play on small concrete “fields.” I want to build a New Haiti where we can cultivate talent for the soccer world. And in terms of agriculture, we planted 67 mango trees. It was fun, but hard work. The land was barren. We had to dig a well and we had to carry buckets of water. We lived a double life, school during the week and all this work on the weekends. People ask, “How do you survive in Haiti?” We look straight. There’s poverty on the left and the right, but don’t see it.
AW: What do you think the solution is for the current situation in Haiti and its government?
JT: We need more women in government. Women are our greatest natural resource. Women have carried Haiti on their backs without any recognition. My mother is instrumental in everything who I am. We need to raise up our women. And lead with investment. Invest strategically. Invest in technology and education. It’s not up to the government; it’s up to us. If we do these two things, regardless of government, we will thrive.
AW: Tell us about some of the key people in your organization and what they do.
JT: New Haiti spans four continents. There’s Tammy Leiva, she’s been with us the longest. She was my beacon from the beginning, giving me a sense of direction. Rebecca Harmon is my muse. She whispered things in our ear and opened our minds to greater possibilities. She’s a coach and technology guru – she created an New Haiti online game with her son too.
Nadine Jeanty is our Director. She basically had the same excellent education as I had, but she went to the sister schools. When I reach my breaking point, she carries on. She’s instrumental and lives in Maryland. With anything DC-related, we turn to Nadine. She represents our brand.
There’s Demy Delfi – a film maker. Her passion for Haiti is huge. Her greatest day would be sitting on a beach in Haiti and drinking Haitian rum.
And I must mention Ingrid Webster, our saving grace since COVID. One magical day she friended me on Linked In. She introduced me to Common Ground, where we hold our events. She always has new products to sell. Bracelets that benefit New Haiti. Her love transforms us. She is an angel sitting on New Haiti’s shoulder.
There are a bunch of other people who keep New Haiti going strong. Take a look on our social media page and you will meet them. And they are mostly ladies. I’m just a cheerleader.
AW: How can people get involved? Donate?
JT: Visit https://new-haiti.com/ We appreciate your gift. We will be accountable. There are 40+ organizations that keep us going in a straight line. You can find us by Zelle or PayPal: [email protected] or our Go Fund Me page https://gofund.me/3e7ac85a. Or you can contact me: 561 856-7440. If we cannot do it, we are able to find a service that you are looking for. Join us, invest in us, volunteer with us. You are welcome in the New Haiti ecosystem.
AW: Tell us about your family.
JT: We are a family of 8. I was the youngest. I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. We just were together on the West Coast of Florida for Mother’s Day. Of course, there are sometimes complications, but the love is real. We are learning to cry (sign of weakness in the old Haiti), and to say I love you. We all love soccer, but my mom loves basketball more. My mother is on our board. Two of my brothers and one of my sisters are involved in New Haiti with me.
AW: What’s the next big thing for New-Haiti?
We will be putting on a Peace Summit, where we set Haiti on a course with a new narrative. We are inviting the world to partake in our brotherhood and sisterhood. That’s where it’s important that we raise the 350K and set Haiti on a new path. Details coming soon.
What else?
We are always welcome to new ideas. Everyone has one great idea which can benefit the people of Haiti. Call us, email us and join us!
Visit New-Haiti.com
Call James Touissant, (561) 856-7440
Get involved!