Philosophy
Jakmel Ekspresyon (JE) is a space of non-discrimination, with a holistic approach to the lives of local Jacmelians. We believe that healthy lives and community needs creativity, knowledge and robust well-being to advance in a sustainable way. The Haitian staff are constantly looking at the gaps in their educational system to find areas of need.
JE is an arts based organization. We blend creativity, technology and culture. STEAM education has naturally grown out of the focus on creative learning. Hands on learning supports creative, joyful and exploratory journeys that create meaningful experiences. The artistic creation process challenges students to craft messages and share their newfound knowledge with their community through performances and exhibitions. This pathway has encouraged citizenship and greater impact in the community at large.
JE is led by the youth. Youth have defined educational goals for the Center. They have found faculty and students. They are the creators of this community and the organization. They invite their friends to benefit from their work to support the community. Many of our graduates have come back to teach classes or workshops. Self-organized youth groups submit proposals to use our space. The youth are the foundation of change and it’s working!
Team
Susan Frame
Sue Frame is the Director and Co-Founder of Jakmel Ekspresyon. As Director her main role is to support and mentor the young adults to build programming that is relevant to the local community. She also takes the lead on developing the digital programming and working with International volunteers and universities.
JEAN PIERRE Peterson
Peterson Jean Pierre is the Assistant Director. He has been with JE since its conception and has filled a number of roles over the years. He manages staff and faculty, class registration, translations and is our computer repair specialist.
CANDIO Ramoncite
Candio Ramoncite is the Programs Coordinator. Candio manages the classrooms scheduling, registration, faculty recruitment and student files. He has been coming to JE since 2015 for classes like screen printing, video editing, photography and English. He volunteered in JE for four years and cares deeply about the community.
CESAR Wynda
Wynda Cesar is the Manager and Robotics Coach. Wynda started as a Robotics Club student when she was 15 years old. She is now 21 and running the Robo Klub for ages 8 to 15 years old. Wynda uses her spare time to attend University and runs folk dance classes in the small village in the mountains outside Jacmel.
LAZARE Carls Edzer
Carls Edzer Lazare is the Event Coordinator. Lazare volunteered for a year to help JE create more programming. He spearheaded the Cinekspresyon, weekly movie night for the community. In January 2025 he joined the JE team in an official capacity. Lazare is a local entrepreneur, organizer and graphic designer.
GEORGES Kenry Dondly
Georges Kenry Dondly (Ken) is the newest intern at JE. He helps with everything including class set up, gardening, feeding the security dogs, painting, construction and so much more. In exchange for all his help he takes any class he wants at no charge. Ken is an artist focusing on painting and drawing.
JEAN–BAPTISTE Onesé
Onesé Jean-Baptiste is the Lead Housekeeper. Her and her daughters help us create a positive and clean space for the youth to learn. Her daughters have also taken a number of classes. Onesé is the Auntie we all respect and love.
PIERRE Gerard
Pierre Gerard is the Grounds Keeper. Pierre started at JE as a construction worker in our initial campus buildout. He is now in control of our campus grounds and brings a wealth of knowledge in planting and gardening.
History
After the 2010 Earthquake that killed over 200,000 Haitians, 7 Haitians and 2 Americans came together to discuss the needs of Jacmel as a community. Having a space of non-discrimination was the greatest need in the community.
Before the earthquake, our dear friend and guiding light, Flores McGarrell, ran an art center in Jacmel. He died in the earthquake and 3 days after his passing, the original artists of that center asked all the marginalized people to leave. Flo had created a space of non-discrimination and now there was a gaping void in the resources available to all people. We sought to right that inequality both in memory of our friend and for the Jacmel community.
The founding members also set out some founding principles to help guide the new community center. We follow these guiding principles to this day as they have created the foundation for an amazing community to thrive in.
- Elevate the voice of the average Haitian
- Maintain 70% Haitian faculty for the curriculum to retain the Haitian culture and identity
- Develop a holistic approach to the student’s education
- Skillsets
- Professionalism
- Mental health