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Haitian Proverb
(He/Him/Él/Li)
As the eldest son of four, born in Xaragua (Port-Au-Prince) and raised in Ayiti (a.k.a. Haiti), which is located in the heart of the Caribbean, and immigrated to the U.S. in 2013. I am proud of my rich Kreyol cultural heritage of the Black Diaspora and Marien Cacique from my Dad’s side, Maguana Cacique from my Mom's side (aka Taíno) people, which is important to reclaim my roots. I have been on my spiritual path, which started in the teachings of the 7th Day Adventist Church, and through my journey, I have been growing in my Universal understanding that all are welcome.
Bear Roots Resource Center is an Indigenous and Black collaboration, honored as a woman led charitable organization that is dedicated to serving and empowering our community with prayerful intentions, Our Executive Leadership Team includes Keri R. Akemi-Hernandez, Executive Director/Founder, and Bency Joseph, Co-Founder/Program Development Director, are focused on bringing solutions to protect and transform our most vulnerable communities who are disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, and historical disinvestments. Our founders are dedicated to honoring their Ancestral roots and reweaving those traditions into the way we live our lives in this present moment. We are teaching people how to be in relationship with land and connect to their roots. Our innovative programs will shape and shift us into our collective bright future.
Keri describes where the idea for Bear Root Resource Center came from a dream , "The resource center dream was inspired to bring the Children's book to life, "The Great Shift," that my friend, Nyasha Williams, and I co-authored 4 years ago. This realization came to me after a vivid dream that I had the night after I met Matika Wilbur. When I woke up from the dream, I knew the next steps I needed to take. This project is an accumulation of my life work and my passion to fulfill I hope to fulfill in my lifetime. When I shared this vision with a few trusted people within my inner Circle, and it became clear who to collaborate with. I am really thankful to found this project with my dear friend and visionary Partner, Bency Joseph, who is combining their life long dream to restore Ayiti (Haiti) and empower his people to thrive. Our dream is the seed that is being planted in the hearts of our local community and we hope to expand it into other communities in the future. We look forward to connecting with you soon!"
Our Leadership Team is here to listen, immerse and engage within our community, building partnerships with stakeholders, donors, and advocate for our community needs and connect resources to empower individuals to thrive with our innovative programs that will be funded through our comprehensive fundraising strategy. We are working with Industry leaders to formally establish our Non-profit and to take our organization to the next level. We are creating our Legal Team for regulatory compliance, our Financial Team to oversee our finances so that we have strong financial health, and sufficient operating reserves for our programs, as well as to ensure fiscal compliance. We are actively interviewing to establish our board and cultural advisory team to guide us to fulfill our organization mission, values and purpose in perpetuity, with a legacy, to live beyond our lives and for the survival of our future 7 generations. We have plans to grow our team and begin next steps to secure our 1st physical location. Our Leadership team has developed a short and long-term strategy to implement our programs, and advance our Bear Root Resource Center mission and vision, while we adapt to evolving local and global changing circumstances.
As the Program Development Director, Bency helps develop and implement our event calendar, youth programs, and activities that reflect the organization’s mission and values. He coordinates fundraising and outreach efforts. Bency works closely with the Executive Director to co-develop cultural preservation, empower youth to reconnect to their cultural heritage, engage with traditions, and invite the community to participate in cultural activities.
Bency has a unique prospective that enriches what we are able to offer at Bear Root Resource Center. He brings a wealth of personal knowledge and professional experience which allows us to expand our local and global community outreach. Bency is multilingual and speaks Kreyol as his Mother language that is native to Ayiti (Haiti), and is fluent in English, Spanish and French. Our multicultural programs offer more range and balance from his worldview influence, artistic creative expression, keen eye to detail and cultural lived experience. Bency is a thoughtful leader whose presence is calming, focused and helps everyone feel welcome.
(Photo of Soup Joumou_Haitian Squash Soup)
My experience in the Entertainment and Media industry allows me to create quality content, and an atmosphere to keep audiences engaged to enjoy memorable experiences. I co-design and oversee digital, social, and web content to promote the Bear Root Resource Center programs and events. Please check out our Event Calendar and Subscribe to learn about new offerings in the future.
While I pursue my double major in Business Management and Communications, I aspire to make a positive impact in our local community and give back to those in my hometown. Growing up, I witnessed many children who had very little but were dedicated to going to school, despite the challenges that they faced to pursue their education or to have access to sports or other activities, let alone having limited resources for their basic needs to be met.
(Photo of Original Haitian Flag from 1801)
I am dedicated to advocating for those who are often invisible in society but have the brightest minds, yet opportunities are not always available to those with the greatest needs, and those individuals are who I want to uplift and empower.
Education is a priority. In Haiti, although many students face challenges to access school and enrollment is 53%, it is with great pride to see that the Haitian Literacy rate for students is 83%. My hope is to improve conditions so more students have opportunities to access school and thrive.
As a leader, I am a champion for our most vulnerable community members to guide them to fulfill their life purpose. I plan to share my lived experience to inspire others to have access to greater opportunities.
Health and Sports area priority. In the future, I hope to restore traditional food in Ayiti (Haiti) and I advocate for food sovereignty to increase wellness. I know that by restoring our natural resources will also promote ecological sustainability. I am developing a program for my home town and plan to collaborate with local leaders and organizations to empower our community.
You may be interested to know that Haiti is a member of FIFA since 1934, and Soccer is played by people of all ages; which is fun way to bring community together. Soccer is a great activity for youth and helps provide opportunities to practice conflict resolution, maintain physical and emotional health, and also helps at risk youth avoid activities that could lead to a difficult path, such as crime or drugs.
BEAR ROOT RESOURCE CENTER [AND ITS AFFILIATES (“COMPANY” OR “WE” OR “US” or "OUR")]
KERI R. AKEMI-HERNANDEZ, FOUNDER & BENCY JOSEPH CO-FOUNDER
2023 © ℗®™ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
BEAR ROOT RESOURCE CENTER, a fiscally sponsored organization of Fiscal Sponsorship Allies EIN: 85-0839183
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