Haiti Creative marketplace expands opportunities for Haitian women entrepreneurs in South Florida

The Haitian Times is a community and cultural partner for the Haiti Creative Mother’s Day & Haitian Heritage Marketplace.

MIAMI — Haitian designers, artisans, beauty entrepreneurs, food producers and cultural figures gathered in South Florida on May 2–3 for the Haiti Creative Mother’s Day & Haitian Heritage Marketplace, an initiative designed to connect Haitian entrepreneurs with diaspora consumers and broader commercial opportunities during Haitian Heritage Month in Florida.

Held at SOMA Noire, a multifunctional venue that houses Island TV’s studio, the two-day event brought together nearly 30 businesses operating in fashion, folk art, home décor, beauty, wellness and specialty food.

Organized ahead of Mother’s Day, the marketplace attracted hundreds of shoppers seeking Haitian-made and Haitian-inspired products while creating opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to expand their reach in the United States.

Colorful handbags and accessories from Vèvè Collection are displayed at the Haiti Creative Mother’s Day & Haitian Heritage Marketplace in South Florida. Led by designer Phelicia Dell, the brand blends Haitian-inspired vèvè motifs with contemporary fashion as it marks its 20th anniversary. Photo courtesy of Haiti Creative.

Among the featured brands was Vêvê Collection, led by designer Phelicia Dell, whose company is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Through handbags featuring the symbolic Haitian vèvè motif, the brand continues to expand internationally while helping preserve an important element of Haiti’s cultural heritage.

Kay Atizan showcased products created by more than 50 artisans in Haiti, specializing in beadwork, horn products, recycled textiles and metal art.

Belzeb Inc., led by Dr. Roberte Laurent, presented herbal teas, soaps and wellness products manufactured in Port-au-Prince and sold through its boutique in West Palm Beach.

Singer Anie Alerte’s company Zile Boutik showcased kasav, honey and Haitian chocolate sourced from Perches, her hometown in Haiti’s Northeast region. The event also featured traditional Haitian cuisine from Le Génie, including soup joumou, diri kanal ak legim, rice cooked with crab and vegetables, and lalo.

Packages of Zile Boutik kasav are displayed at the Haiti Creative Mother’s Day & Haitian Heritage Marketplace in South Florida. Photo courtesy of Haiti Creative.

One of the event’s standout moments came during a kasav tasting hosted by Zile Boutik, where Carole Demesmin spoke about the pre-Columbian roots of kasav traditions in Haiti and their cultural significance. She was later joined by singer, designer and storyteller Malou Beauvoir for a performance of “Papa Dambalah.”

Beauvoir, who traveled from Belgium for the event, also showcased luxury silk scarves and caftans from her brand Modern Manbo, along with her children’s cultural book “Ou Vodou.”

Vêvê Collection, Modern Manbo and Lokal Ayiti, founded by Myrlene Simeon, are among the Haitian brands helping bring Haiti’s iconic vèvè symbol to the global stage through fashion, accessories and luxury design.

Their growing visibility comes as Haiti officially submitted the “Savoir-faire du Tracé Vèvè d’Haïti” dossier to UNESCO in March 2026 for inclusion on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Danielle Saint-Lot, founder of the Danielle Saint-Lot Haiti Women’s Foundation and creator of Haiti Creative, said the marketplace reflects a broader vision for Haitian entrepreneurship.

(L-R) Danielle Saint-Lot, Carole Demesmin, Malou Beauvoir. Photo courtesy of Haiti Creative.

“Haiti Creative is not simply about promoting culture. It is a strategy for economic resilience,” Saint-Lot said. “Our ambition is to build inclusive market systems that connect Haitian artisans, designers and producers to diaspora distribution channels and international buyers.”

Candice Mondésir, executive director of Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, said the initiative demonstrates the growing economic potential of Haitian entrepreneurship in South Florida.

“Through our partnership with Haiti Creative, we are supporting more than a cultural event,” Mondésir said. “We are helping create a platform that connects Haitian entrepreneurs to new markets, increases their visibility and generates sustainable business opportunities between Haiti and the diaspora.”

The event was organized in partnership with Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and SOMA Noire, with support from Banque de la République d’Haïti, Sunrise Airways, Island TV, Haitian Ladies Network, National Alliance for the Advancement of Haitian Professionals, Faces of Haiti and The Haitian Times.

As Haitian Heritage Month continues across Florida, organizers say the marketplace is helping position South Florida as a hub for Haitian creative commerce and cultural entrepreneurship.

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