Every spring, Boyd Park in New Brunswick, N.J., comes alive with Caribbean meals, music, and neighborhood on the NJ Jerk Competition. Haitian American entrepreneur Mike Pierre, an occasion producer and digital advertising and marketing skilled, went from volunteer to co-founder of the rising occasion.
Now, as he prepares for the upcoming One Love Music Competition in Newark this August, Pierre is concentrated on increasing the attain of Caribbean tradition in New Jersey.
The Haitian Occasions spoke with Pierre about his skilled journey, his Haitian roots, and the imaginative and prescient behind each festivals.
The Haitian Occasions: Are you able to inform us about your self and your background as a Haitian American in New Jersey?
Mike Pierre: I used to be born in Haiti and immigrated to Princeton, New Jersey, once I was 11 years previous. I attended highschool in Franklin Township and later went to Rutgers College in New Brunswick. As a toddler, I needed to regulate to a brand new instructional system, however I obtained a powerful schooling. In school, I used to be deeply concerned with organizations such because the West Indian Pupil Affiliation and the Haitian Affiliation at Rutgers College, the place I represented my Haitian tradition and related with different communities inside the Black diaspora.
THT: How would you describe the Haitian neighborhood in New Jersey in comparison with the extra outstanding enclaves in Brooklyn and South Florida?
MP: The Haitian neighborhood in New Jersey is extra laid again. Not like Brooklyn or South Florida, we lack seen neighborhood pillars right now. Nonetheless, there’s undoubtedly an lively get together and cultural scene right here. What we actually want is stronger political engagement.
THT: How did the NJ Jerk Competition begin, and what was the imaginative and prescient behind it?
MP: The NJ Jerk Competition began about 10 years in the past as a small cookout my companion organized. Round 12 months 5, I started volunteering, and because it grew, we teamed as much as formalize the occasion and provides it construction. That’s when it turned the NJ Jerk Competition.
THT: How do you incorporate Haitian tradition into the occasions you produce?
MP: I by no means went to highschool for occasion manufacturing, however I grew up round superb household gatherings. My uncle would play nice music, and my mother and aunts at all times cooked unimaginable meals. Over time, I realized what makes an occasion particular. I deliver these experiences—the music, meals, and neighborhood—into each occasion I create.
THT: Inform us extra concerning the One Love Music Competition.
MP: One Love Music Competition is about unity. We deliver collectively genres like soca, dancehall, reggae, konpa, and Latin music. It’s greater than a live performance—it’s about music, arts and wellness multi function place. I’d like to see extra Haitian illustration on the pageant. I’m proud to share this imaginative and prescient with my neighborhood.
THT: The place can folks study extra about you and your tasks?
MP:
- Fb: NJ Jerk Competition, One Love Music
- TikTok: @NJJerkFestival
- YouTube: NJ Jerk Competition
Enterprise web page: Legends Occasion Planning
The submit Mike Pierre on uniting the Caribbean diaspora by way of New Jersey festivals appeared first on The Haitian Occasions.