At Fonkoze USA, shifting the narrative around Haiti is part of our work. The dignity, courage, and strength of Haitian women — and the communities they lead — deserve not only investment, but recognition. Fonkoze USA Executive Director Dr. Erlantz Hyppolite sat down with Haitian-American scholar and advocate Dr. Bertrhude Albert for a powerful conversation. Her reflections echo the heart of Fonkoze’s mission: that when women rise, they bring entire communities with them.
Dr. Bertrhude Albert: A Haitian-American Advocate for Haiti’s Future
Highlights:
Dr. Erlantz Hyppolite: We know you as a proud Haitian American voice advocating for Haiti and telling her truest story. Could you share a little bit about your journey and what shaped your passion for this work?
Dr. Bertrhude Albert: That’s a beautiful question. I was born in Haiti, but when I was a baby—before I was even one—I moved to the United States. I ended up going back to Haiti when I was six and then came back for good when I was eight. I grew up in South Florida, but during that time, I wasn’t as connected to Haiti or to the story of the Haitian people. In fact, when I was growing up in South Florida, I was actually made fun of for being Haitian. All I ever heard about Haiti was its darkness, its disasters, the death. It was always the negative side of Haiti.
But when I went to college, everything changed. I started reading books about Haitian history. I learned that Haiti was the first free Black republic, and how our people fought for the equality of the human race. Haiti was the first nation to permanently abolish slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. It was also the first nation established in Latin America and the Caribbean. That’s when I realized there was so much more to Haiti than I had ever known, and I couldn’t just base my understanding of my country on the media’s portrayal.
This realization wasn’t just for me—many Haitians internalize the negative things said about Haiti, and that affects how they see themselves. But when I started reading about the powerful history of the Haitian people, it changed my self-perception. I started learning about incredible figures like Catherine Flon, who designed the Haitian flag, and Marie-Jean Lamartinière, who fought on the battlefield with a sword in one hand and a pistol in the other. Her courage was unmatched, and these stories were empowering.
I first visited Haiti in 2010, right after I’d studied all this history. Then the earthquake happened, and it was a perfect connection. When I arrived in Haiti, I fell in love with everything—the mountains, the ocean, the food, the culture. There’s nothing like walking the streets of Haiti, surrounded by these majestic mountains. Nothing compares to tasting griot for the first time or breathing in the Haitian air—the same air our people have been breathing for generations.
That trip solidified it for me. I knew from that moment on that the rest of my life would be dedicated to working alongside and fighting for the Haitian people. It’s been a journey, but I’m proud to say that I will continue fighting for Haiti for the rest of my life.
Dr. Erlantz Hyppolite: Haitian women, as you mentioned, are Poto mitan—the central pillars of society. Can you talk more about that?
Dr. Bertrhude Albert: Haitian women are the backbone of Haitian society. Research shows that over 50% of households in Haiti are led by women, but I believe that number is actually much higher.
What I love most about Haitian women is, first, their faithfulness. When a Haitian woman is on your side, she is on your side. We are ride-or-dies. I see it in the way Haitian women form friendships and bonds, how they stand and fight for each other. Even here in the U.S., I think of my closest friends—They are always ready to stand for me in any situation. And even newer friends I’ve made, show that same loyalty.
And it’s not just in friendships. In Haiti, even when men are present in the household, whether they stay or not, whether they are still married or just busy with other things, it’s the women who hold everything together. Haitian women take care of the children, the home, go to work, and then come back and do it all over again. They are faithful to their responsibilities. You won’t easily find a Haitian woman saying, You know what? I’m really tired today, I’m not going to do this. Somehow, they find a way to take care of everything.
I also love their courage. One of the best stories of Haitian courage is of a woman who rose up and led an entire area during the Haitian Revolution, alongside Toussaint Louverture. Even at the moment of her death, as the French prepared to kill her, she still had this fire in her. Her last words were Long live liberty! Down with slavery! And that cry—it became a rallying call for enslaved people across the region. She did more with her last words than most people do in a lifetime. That same courage, that same spirit, still lives in Haitian women today.
And the last thing—there are so many words I could use, this is hard—but I would say beauty. The beauty of Haitian women is unmatched. I’ve been to 43 countries. I love traveling, learning from different cultures, and comparing experiences with Haiti. And what I’ve noticed is that Haitian women—physically, they are some of the most beautiful, breathtaking humans on this earth.
But beyond that, there’s something deeper. When I talk about beauty, I mean something that is illuminating. Something bright, incredible. There is an inner beauty in Haitian women that feels like a treasure, something so unique to Haitian society. So if I had to sum it up, I would say faithfulness, courage, and beauty.
Dr. Erlantz Hyppolite: How can the Haitian diaspora play an active and important role in supporting Haiti’s future?
Dr. Bertrhude Albert: That’s a great question. The Haitian diaspora has a crucial role in Haiti’s advancement. Haiti will rise, but the diaspora must contribute and stand alongside the homeland. One of the key ways the Haitian diaspora can do this is by partnering with organizations like Fonkoze, because not everyone is called to go to Haiti and start an organization, and not everyone should. But I believe every single Haitian has a responsibility—whether directly on the ground or by supporting organizations that are working on the ground, especially those supporting the most vulnerable.
Organizations like Fonkoze provide evidence-based impact—they have statistics, stories, and data that show the difference they are making. Without organizations like Fonkoze, there are so many lives that wouldn’t be touched, and so much work that wouldn’t get done. The diaspora can come alongside Haiti in several ways: become a monthly donor, a major donor, an advocate. Spread the word on social media, amplify campaigns, and become a mouthpiece for the work being done. This kind of support goes a long way.
To answer your question in summary: the diaspora can have a direct impact on Haiti by partnering with those already on the ground. If you can, visit and see for yourself what’s happening, but even if travel is difficult or costly, you can still support financially. We’ve seen incredible things happen when the Haitian diaspora comes together—like with the construction of the Wahnamet Canal. Without the diaspora, that wouldn’t have been possible. The same is true for other initiatives—whether it’s the Malfeti Canal, Libete, or the bridge in Okap. When the diaspora unites, extraordinary things happen.
But I’ll also say: trust is essential. I encourage the diaspora to research and do due diligence before partnering with any organization. Have conversations, get to know the staff, and allow trust to be built over time. Trust in organizations that have proven their worth, like Fonkoze. It’s important for the diaspora to trust organizations with a solid track record, and I think Fonkoze has demonstrated its commitment over the years.
Dr. Erlantz Hyppolite: In your opinion, how can we strengthen community-based organizations like Fonkoze and P4H? What role do they play in working alongside women in Haiti?
Dr. Bertrhude Albert:
Good question. I think that to increase the capacity of organizations like Fonkoze and P4H, financial support is a big thing, especially now. Haiti is experiencing a crisis, and today, compared to two years ago, prices for some goods have doubled, tripled, and in some cases, quadrupled. It is harder today for us to keep our doors open than it was two years ago. So to really support organizations, we can’t overlook the financial needs that our organizations have. For me, that would be the number one priority.
Secondly, increasing the capacity of our organizations is key. One thing that we do in P4H, and I’m sure Fonkoze does this as well, is training our staff. We are really, really big on offering professional development for our staff to ensure they are the best trainers—not just in Haiti, but we want them to be the best trainers in the world. So we’re always trying to connect with effective trainers and resources to help our staff grow and increase their capacity. I believe this is the same for Fonkoze as well—helping increase the capacity of staff and even the women you work with in your training programs.
The third point, when looking at how to strengthen community-based organizations like Fonkoze, is elevating the voices of those involved. Both P4H and Fonkoze are in the business of changing the narrative about Haiti. We are working to redefine how the world sees and engages with Haiti. This affects not just Haitians in Haiti but also the Haitian diaspora. How we view ourselves is directly reflected in how the world views Haiti.
By elevating the voices of organizations like Fonkoze and P4H that are working to rewrite this narrative, we are, in effect, elevating Haiti as a whole. Often, the media focuses on the negative aspects of Haiti, such as violence and political unrest, especially in Port-au-Prince. But Haiti is much more than just Port-au-Prince. There are many other areas outside of the capital—like Okap, Gelmy, Jacques Mel, Ench, and Okai—that are rarely shown. It’s crucial to share these positive stories as well, because when all people see is the negative side of Haiti, they may become tired of supporting the country.
A donor I spoke with said, “I love your work, but if I only see negative portrayals of Haiti, why would I donate?” So, sharing the fuller picture is vital to ensuring support for the work we are doing in Haiti, especially in areas outside of the capital.
Dr. Bertrhude Albert is a Haitian-American
educator, speaker, and the CEO and co-founder
of P4H Global — the largest teacher-training
nonprofit in Haiti. With a deep passion for
education, equity, and reshaping global narratives
about Haiti, she leads a movement that empowers
Haitian educators and amplifies Haiti’s dignity
on the world stage. Dr. Albert holds a PhD from
the University of Florida, where she was honored
in the UF Hall of Fame and recognized for her
international outreach. Follow her journey and
insights on Instagram and TikTok at @bertrhude
and learn more at bertrhude.com.
This interview has been edited for length.
The extended version is available at Fonkoze.org.
Dr. Bertrhude Albert is a Haitian-American