PRESS RELEASE: Haitian-American Motivational Author Cindy Similien-Johnson Scheduled to Participate in Brooklyn’s 2nd Annual International Day of Friendship Celebration

Haitian-American Motivational Author Cindy Similien-Johnson Scheduled to Participate in Brooklyn’s 2nd Annual International Day of Friendship Celebration

Photo Credit: JaJo Photography

Haitian-American Motivational Author Cindy Similien-Johnson was selected to participate as the 2015 Delegate to represent Haiti at Brooklyn’s 2nd Annual International Day of Friendship Celebration.

Ms. Cindy, a native of Brooklyn with Haitian heritage, said, “I am proud and honored to represent Haiti at this wonderful event that celebrates diversity and the beauty of true friendship. This event inspires us to love, respect, and honor others no matter where they are from."

"The ribbon in the Haitian flag says, ‘L'Union Fait La Force.' In English, it means ‘Unity Makes Strength.’ It is true now more than ever. When we put aside our differences and come together, we become strong and can do great things in our community," continued Ms. Cindy, the President & CEO of CSJ Media Publishing; and, the author of two inspirational books, "Goal Chic: Changing the World, One Goal at a Time" and "How to Stay Motivated: Inspiration and Advice for Everyday Living."

The International Day of Friendship, which is celebrated around the world on July 30th, was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. With nearly one million foreign-born residents living in Brooklyn, Borough President Eric L. Adams recognizes that Brooklyn is a diverse melting pot, which makes it the perfect place to host an International Day of Friendship Celebration.

On Friday, July 31, 2015, Ms. Cindy Similien-Johnson will join Borough President Adams and delegates from more than 100 nations at an International Day of Friendship Press Conference at 1:30pm on the corner of Johnston Street and Cadman Plaza East in downtown Brooklyn.

Brooklyn’s 2nd Annual International Day of Friendship Celebration will be held at Cadman Plaza Park on Sunday, August 2, 2015, from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM, starting with an international unity parade where delegates from more than 100 nations will hold and display their national flags. There will also be cultural performances and continental cuisines.

For more information, please contact csjmediapublishing@gmail.com or visit www.csjmediapublishing.com.

Book Launch: Naomi Jackson's The Star Side of Bird Hill

On June 30, 2015, I attended the book launch of a fellow Caribbean sister - Naomi Jackson, who recently published her book, "The Star Side of Bird Hill." I first met Naomi at the Caribbean Book Fest a few weeks ago where she gave me a signed copy of her book! I decided to stop by her book launch today, and many showed up to support her! 

From the website: Born and raised in Brooklyn by West Indian parents, Jackson evokes 1980s Barbados with the story of sixteen-year-old Dionne and her younger sister Phaedra, sent to live with their grandmother Hyacinth in the town of Bird Hill. These three characters form an unforgettable matriarchal family buoyed by love and community and tested by heartbreak and betrayal. The Star Side of Bird Hill has been praised by fellow authors including Ayana Mathis and Tiphanie Yanique, who calls it “A book laced with pain but shimmering with hope. With care, the narrative addresses huge issues such as mental illness, mortality, sexuality and, at its very core, what it means to love another person as they are.” 

With Journalist Luvon Roberson, posing in front of Naomi's books

The bookstore was filled to the max - all the way to the back of the store.

What an awesome cake - it's her front book cover!

NYC Council Caribbean Heritage Celebration

On Tuesday, June 30, 2015, I joined the New York City Council, under the leadership of Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, with Council Member Williams, Council Member Mathieu Eugene and the Black, Latino & Asian Caucus, for a celebration of Caribbean Heritage at the Council Chambers of City Hall. The night was filled with Caribbean food (Diri Djon Djon was served), cultural entertainment by the Sesame Flyers, and the honoring of community leaders, including Hon. Sylvia Ash, Dr. Una Clarke, Neva Shillingford King, Raymond Luke, and Yvonne Stennet.

Haitian Dominican Unity Press Rally

On Friday, June 26, 2015, I attended my very first rally. I'm usually a behind-the-scenes person, but the situation happening in Haiti has challenged me to "speak up." Silence is no longer an option when an injustice is committed against the poor, the weak, the helpless, etc.

I believe God through Jesus Christ, who always talked about being concerned for the less fortunate in society. Proverbs 31:8-9 says, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice."

When I heard about the situation in the Dominican Republic where migrant workers (who are mostly of Haitian descent), I felt saddened by it. "What can I do?" I asked myself. I truly felt helpless.

Imagine for a second that your grandfather came to a new country when he was a teenager. He worked so hard to have a better life for himself. He learned the language until it became his own. A few years went by, and he found the love of his life.They got married, and had two children in the new country. Each child grew up, and had children of their own. Now, these children (and everyone dating back to grandfather's time) are being asked to go back to a country they've heard about only in the stories that grandfather shared. They don't know the language. They've never been to the place. The only place they've called "home" was this new country - the place of their birth. Now, they are being asked to leave everything behind, to leave behind heir jobs, their friends, their schools - everything that described their very existence, their being.

Essentially, this is what's happening in the DR right now. It's a sad situation, and as a person of Haitian heritage, my heart aches for the people who are facing these unfortunate conditions.

"So, what can I do?" I keep asking myself. "What can I do?"

On Friday, June 26, 2015, I joined elected officials and community leaders on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall to stand in solidarity with people of Haitian descent threatened by mass deportation from the Dominican Republic at the Haitian Dominican Unity Press Rally. It's just the beginning... I am also praying to God that He grants mercy on the afflicted, and place compassion in the hearts of  the oppressors.

All human beings deserve dignity, respect, and honor. The situation in the DR is a human rights issue. I am reminded of the words of the words of Martin Niemöller, a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of the Nazi regime.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

PRESS RELEASE: Haitian-American Motivational Author Cindy Similien-Johnson Scheduled to be at Haitian-Dominican Unity Press Rally in Brooklyn, NY

Haitian-American Motivational Author Cindy Similien-Johnson Scheduled to be at Haitian-Dominican Unity Press Rally in Brooklyn, NY

Photo Credit: JaJo Photography

Haitian-American Motivational Author Cindy Similien-Johnson is scheduled to join elected officials and community leaders at a Haitian-Dominican Unity Press Rally to be held in solidarity with people of Haitian descent threatened by mass deportation from the Dominican Republic.

Born and raised in New York City and proud of her Haitian heritage, Ms. Similien-Johnson said, "Silence is no longer an option. The Holy Bible says, 'We must speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.' All human beings deserve dignity, respect, and honor no matter their creed or color."

Ms. Similien-Johnson is the author of two motivational books, "How to Stay Motivated: Inspiration and Advice for Everyday Living" and "Goal Chic: Changing the World, One Goal at a Time." (Her third book on Haitian cuisine and culture is scheduled for release at end of  summer 2015 to commemorate the legacy of her 104-year-old grandmother.)

The Haitian-Dominican Unity Press Rally will be held on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall at 209 Joralemon Street (between Court Street and Boerum Place) on Friday, June 26, 2015 at 12 p.m.

NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, NYC Council Member Mathieu Eugene, and NYC Council Member Laurie Cumbo will also be present, including community organizations such as Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, Brooklyn Dominicans for Hope, and the Haitian American International Chamber of Commerce.

Marie Claudine Mukambano: A Woman of Courage

Marie Claudine Mukambano: A Woman of Courage

by Cindy Similien-Johnson

After losing her parents, sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, loved ones, friends, classmates and fellow countrymen during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, Ms. Marie Claudine Mukambano’s Catholic faith inspired her to seek the answer to the question of KUKI NDIHO? (Why do I exist? Pourquoi J’existe?).

This question now serves as the name of her organization which has helped thousands of women and children who were affected by the genocide. Ms. Claudine witnessed the gruesome killing of her mother. Her sister was raped, and then murdered by machete. As the years went by, Ms. Mukambano learned that there was a healing power in forgiveness.

She said, “After hearing or understanding that the people in my country, particularly the survivors, don’t really quite understand forgiveness on the same level, after having different conversations about forgiveness with the survivors, after doing research and talking to everybody (most from different capitals), I realized how people misunderstood and misinterpreted forgiveness. Sometimes, people think that to forgive is to give a right to a person who did wrong to you. Others think that to forgive is to forget. Therefore, they don’t want to forget the horrible things that happened to them. They don’t want to forget the memories of their loved ones. Therefore, they try their best to stay away from forgiving.”

She continued, “I felt I needed to do something to help them. Forgiveness heals us. It helps us to heal. Heal! Forgiveness heals the healer first. It positively changes the life of the forgiver first. Forgiveness helps the forgiver to benefit from joy and happiness. Forgiveness doesn’t prevent justice to prevail. Because someone who did wrong to me (for instance, the case of genocide in Rwanda), killed my relatives and did horrible things to me, he did horrible things to my country, to himself, and then to God. If I can get to the point, I can say that he did quadrupled wrongs. Therefore, he should face the consequences.”

“If I forgive him or her, he still needs to face the rest of the elements. I’m free. I don’t want to seek revenge. If you seek revenge, you either try to bring revenge to do wrongs and if you don’t find the person, you breed revenge inside of you. Sooner or later, you will bring revenge to your loved ones, or you will bring revenge to yourself. When I did research in my country, I saw that some people were confused about the meaning of forgiveness. ‘Why should we forget?’ they ask. ‘No, we don’t want to forget. We want to remember in order to prevent this from happening again.’ “It is true, if you don’t know where you are coming from, you don’t know where you are going. In order to be clear about your future, you need to understand your past. You need to deal with it, and to accept your past. It’s your past. There’s nothing you can change about it. It’s your history. It made you the way you are.”

Ms. Claudine’s past has made her the way she is, and it hasn’t deterred her from bringing peace, sustainability and empowerment initiatives for orphans in Rwanda. Nor messages to women and men enslaved by violence and violators from day-to-day, right here in the United States.

For more information about Marie’s organization, “WHY DO I EXIST? / KUKI NDIHO RWANDA ORPHANS SUPPORT PROJECT,” please visit whydoiexist.org. Her book, a work-in-progress, is scheduled to be published in late 2012/early 2013.

(Originally published in the October 11-17, 2012 edition of Our Time Press)

My First TV Interview: African Caribbean Radio & Television (ACRTv)

On Thursday, June 11, 2015, I had the opportunity to be interviewed on the African Caribbean Radio & Television (ACRTv).

ACRTv foster the leadership of accountability, solidarity, and cultural awareness of the African and Caribbean nations via the television and radio medium. At ACRTv, they embrace the daunting task of informing the African and Caribbean people by developing the necessary synergy to enhance their understanding of their history and to fully contribute to the world’s cultural mosaic.

With hosts Rouguiatou Komah Toure and Mamzo Barry

It was my first television interview. My hosts were Mamzo Barry and Rouguiatou Komah Toure from the Tam Tam Show where Mr. Mory Kouyate is the Executive Producer. 

    

With Mr. Mory Kouyate, the Executive Producer

 The questions were insightful, and we discussed topics which touched upon my writing career, sources of inspiration, my faith in God, and the work I do in the community, particularly with women and young girls.

During the interview, I could see that the audience members were engaged, and one could literally hear a pin drop. The production team was professional and very fun to work with. Each one of them brought something to the table with their awesome gifts and talents!

I met other guests on the set, including Sekouba Bolomba, an Ivorian reggae musician; and, Fatima Diallo, the 2nd Runner Up of Ms. Guinea.

  

With Fatima Diallo, the 2nd Runner Up of Ms. Guinea