We had the good fortune of connecting with Sandy Dorsainvil and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Sandy, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
The most important lesson that my business and career has taught me is that focus and clarity of mission are critical for success. You have to know why you’re doing what you’re doing. The positive changes that I saw in my community help me stay focused on my tasks of constantly putting forth positive programming an images of my community. I had to work really hard at not letting the noise and the distractions that come along with community and civil service.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Maximillian Consultants creates cultural activations for major international and national brands, government entities and agencies, politicos and NGO’s.
MCI also facilitates partnerships with influencers and thought leaders around the world to promote brands, events and special projects.
I started my career as a historian and educator, and that has carried through my productions and activations. My passion for Haitian history and African-American history is usually at the core of my activations. I want people who look like me to be able to see themselves and their ancestors in the art and music that they love. I am most proud of the work that I have done in Little Haiti. In the last 15 years I’ve produced over 100 different cultural activations, all of which stay true to the essence of Haiti’s historical contributions to the world. From Sounds of Little Haiti, a monthly community festival to the anniversary vigil for the earthquake in Haiti, to our annual presentation at the Perez Art Museum Miami for Haitian Heritage month… each event highlights something wonderful and amazing about Haiti.
It wasn’t easy to make it this far. Political noise, gentrification, lack of funding, and prejudice are hurdles that I have to jump on a daily basis. I had to teach myself how to put blinders on so that I could stay focused. Today I’m able to say that Route 1804 FOUNDATION is alive and thriving… it not only supports the work that Maximilian is doing in arts and culture, but also had a hand in the development of little Haiti, by helping to produce and support affordable, housing options and development opportunities in Little Haiti. The Foundation is also positioned to help raise and garner financial support for activities that support the development and evolution of the Haitian American community in the Diaspora as a whole.
It wasn’t easy, creating my own lane in South Florida in the arts and culture community. In fact, at times, it was downright hostile and brutal. I had to learn to stand my ground and live in truth, Every setback led to a larger win and every negative headline led to a positive byline. The blocks that I encountered really taught me how to build and create from very little while relying on my own intuition and cultural influences that I encounter every day in my beautiful community.
It brings me great joy to see the world, acknowledge Haiti’s, beauty and historical contribution to the world. Each time I see a new face smile or rock to the rhythm of something beautiful that came out of our culture. I know that I’m on the right path and I am doing the work that I was meant to do.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Whenever I have friends in town visiting the first place, I want to take them is Little Haiti. I’m going to take them on a tour of the Little Haiti Cultural Complex. They have to take a dance and drumming class on Thursday. Have a cocktail at the Lakay Bar in the Caribbean Marketplace on Friday, as well as, a Sounds of Little Haiti concert Friday evening. Closing out Friday night with a Rara Lakay parade around Little Haiti. Get a Haiti Open magazine a Liberi Mapou Book Store Saturday afternoon, lunch the Citadel Food hall and cocktails on their rooftop. Dinner at Chef Creole, dessert from Frudeco.
We would probably spend all day Sunday going to to some of the most interesting art spaces in Miami, including Iris Photo Collective Studio, the arts studio of Edouard Duval-Carrie, the Gallery at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, Yelene and N’Namdi gallery.
Last, but that least on Monday, we’d probably take a tour with Tap Tap Tours to get the neighborhood inside scoop.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Mirielle Gonzalez who was the president of the Haitian Cultural arts alliance and Dr. Larry Pierre who is CEO of the Center for Haitian Studies both definitely deserve a “shout out” and a credit for the person who I am today. Dr. Pierre taught me the importance of presenting our Haitian culture authentically. He and Ingrid Llera were the executive producers of the Racine Roots Music Festival. Mrs. Gonzalez introduced me to fine art, and the importance of arts institutions. The work I do today is a combination of all the lessons and theories that I gained from working under those two pillars in the community.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandy_dorsainvil?igsh=cnkwMjNneWZ4ZjU3
Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/sandy-dorsainvil-89331266
Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/soundsoflittlehaiti?igsh=MWY4ODBkemQxdndrMg==