Meet Joann Milord | Owner of Welcome to Little Haiti

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joann Milord and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joann, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
We launched Welcome to Little Haiti during the pandemic as the world was forced to quarantine. My daily hectic routine was abruptly stopped. Although I was fortunate to be working from home, I found myself with a lot of free time. In the beginning, I enjoyed expanding my hobbies and started baking like many people began to do. In addition, I had time for self-reflection and wanting to pursue my passions.

For the past decade, I have volunteered or worked in the Haitian American community in multiple roles and various cultural initiatives. Professionally, I have worked in economic development specializing in small business lending. Starting a business was a natural progression for me. As I decided to start my entrepreneurial journey, I wanted to continue highlighting the Haitian Culture and Little Haiti.

Haiti has been exporting coffee around the world since the 1700s and became one of the world’s top producers. Although, the production has slowed, Haitian coffee is still very much alive. We wanted to be part of the movement to bring Haitian Coffee back into the limelight.

We started with the creation our Bonjour Blend Haitian Gourmet Coffee, a medium,-dark roast, made of 100% Arabica beans. Our website welcometolittlehaitii.com not only sells Bonjour Blend but promotes restaurants, cultural spaces and places to visit in Little Haiti.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Welcome to Little Haiti is a social impact company showcasing Little Haiti’s vibrant community. We strive to preserve and highlight Haitian culture through our products allowing our customers to recreate Haiti’s island experience at home. Each of Welcome to Little Haiti’s products has been hand-picked and chosen because it signifies the richness and depth of the Haitian culture. Our goal is to provide traditional Haitian products with a modern and contemporary twist.

We choose coffee as our first product due to Haiti’s history of being a top coffee producer. Our goal was to create a traditional dark roast which would be palatable to everyone. Our first roast, Bonjour Blend was born. Its best described as full-bodied, smooth and low acidity. Based on reviews and customer feedback, Bonjour Blend has been well received. We are gaining new customers every day.

Since our company is inspired by the Little Haiti community, we wanted to ensure to support local business. We consistently promote restaurants, galleries and the best places to visit in Little Haiti. We hope to bring attention to the culture of the community and everything it has to offer.

Although we recently launched, we are proud of what we have been able to accomplish in such a short time. Welcome to Little Haiti was featured in the Miami New Times which helped us to reach a diverse audience. As with any start-up, it’s been challenging to launch a product especially during a pandemic. It takes creativity and grassroots effort to build a brand. We are still learning the nuisance of running a small business everyday.

We are excited and thankful to have this opportunity and look forward to expanding our product line. We use customer feedback to research new products. We are currently working on a Little Haiti inspired T-shirt collection which will be available in May for Haitian Heritage Month. We hope to launch a new product in the fall of this year.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Here’s Welcome to Little Haiti’s Itinerary for Little Haiti

1. Chef Creole

200 NW 54th St, Miami 33127

305-754-2223

http://www.chefcreole.com

Seafood lovers will rejoice at this popular Little Haiti restaurant known as much for its Caribbean dishes as its namesake Celebrity Chef Ken. The menu blends Haitian, Creole and Bahamian flavors for the ultimate Caribbean meal. Whether stewed or fried, Chef Creole offers the best snapper, conch, and chicken paired with rice and beans, fried plantains and signature pikliz (spicy cabbage slaw).

2. Little Haiti Cultural Center
212 NE 59th Ter, Miami, 33137

305-960-2969

https://littlehaiticulturalcenter.com

The Little Haiti Cultural Center is the anchor of Little Haiti showcasing Afro-Caribbean culture. This cultural facility includes an art gallery, art rooms, theater, dance rooms and the Caribbean Marketplace. Experience visual and performing art all year round through its cultural programming. Check out an art exhibit in the art gallery, shop for one of the kind art pieces and crafts at the Caribbean Marketplace or see a performance in the auditorium theater.

3. Libreri Mapou

5915 NE 2nd Ave, Miami 33137

https://mapoubooks.com

305-757-9922

Since 1990 Libreri Mapou has been a cultural mecca to Little Haiti. It’s a bookstore, cultural center and community hub. As a bookstore, Libreri Mapou carries hundreds of books in Creole, French and English covering every topic imaginable. As a cultural center, the store has a collection of Haitian arts, crafts and paintings. Its outside stage provides a space for community meetings and all artistic performances. Make sure to pick up a bottle of Kremas Mapou (the Haitian version of eggnog made with Haitian Rhum) made by the store owner, Jan Mapou.

4. Toussaint Louverture Statue

Located at North Miami Avenue and N.E. 62nd St

In a small city park stands the statue of Toussaint Louverture, Haiti’s fearless leader of the Haitian Revolution in 1804 which overthrew the French reign of the island of Haiti. Haiti’s Revolution was the first successful slave revolution in history.

5. MUCE Campus

246 NW 54th St, Miami 33127

786-287-7008

https://www.muce305.org/

Muce is an artistic community hub in the heart of Little Haiti offering a multidimensional art experience. The campus houses an art gallery, event space, summer camp and artist residency program. With monthly new art exhibit there is always something to explore at Muce. Shop arts and crafts at its weekly open-air market with vendors selling natural and handmade products.

6. Bon Gout Restaurant

99 NW 54th St, Miami 33127

305-381-5464

https://www.bongoutbbq.com

Come to Bon Gout Restaurant for BBQ and spice. They serve barbecue classics such as ribs, chicken and brisket. As well as Haitian staples of griot (fried pork), plantains and rice and beans. Plus, American soul food of corn bread, mac and cheese and collard greens. Its most famous item is the Zakos, a Caribbean fusion taco. It’s no wonder why Bon Gout Restaurant was voted the Best Caribbean Restaurant in Miami in 2019 by the Miami New Times.

7. Street Art

54th St and 62nd St from N.E 2nd Ave to NW 5th Ave

Take a self-guided tour around Little Haiti and discover a vivid oasis of murals painted by local and international artists. At almost every turn along 54th and 62nd Streets in Little Haiti, you will discover mesmerizing street art including those by legendary artist Serge Toussaint. Prepare for your trip by researching murals at The Little Haiti Mural Project curated by Yo Space.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so thankful to have a great support system of family and friends who have been instrumental in the launching of Welcome to Little Haiti. Their encouragement, time and dedication has been invaluable. Their belief in the company inspires and motivates me everyday.

Website: welcometolittlehaiti.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/welcome_to_little_haiti/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/welcometolittlehaiti