Here are the Top 10 Haitian American Financial Influencers to Help You Build Wealth
It’s finally time for me to cover the top 10 Haitian American Financial Influencers (Finfluencers), Podcasts and thought leaders. I apologize since it took this long. While this won’t be an exhaustive source, it’s a great jump off point if you want to get in the know about personal finances.
Gone are the days when Wyclef was the sole source of Haitian American representation. Post Carimi’s first album, the gospel of Haitian culture has spread far and wide.
Jason Derulo is breaking Tik Tok Pop records and Naomie Osaka is team sos pwa over Ramen all day. Just heard that Jacques Pierre (Real Estate Investor) made his first million at 22?
Things are looking up.
According to the 2019 US Census, there were over 1 million Haitian Americans living in the US alone. The states with the estimated largest Haitian populations included Florida with 533,409 (2.4% of the state population) and New York with 192,007 (1.0%).
For those who don’t speak Haitian Creole, “We Deep.” When it comes to pursuing financial freedom, our accounts aren’t settled. As such, we are pushing those boundaries too.
Table of Contents
The Generational Struggle of Building Sustainable Wealth
Black Millennials are struggling with money management.
For a lot of us, the dream school – dream job – and dream spouse did not work out so well. Many more are trying to figure investing for the first time and even retirement planning. With nearly $200 billion lost in Black wealth and equity since the Great Recession and the global pandemic, Black Americans are at risk to have all median wealth extinguished by 2042.
Although we made social strides, the wealth gap is still growing.
Median Haitian American Household Estimates
The median household income for Haitian-Americans in 2018 was lower than that of the overall foreign-born population, but higher than for Caribbean immigrant households. Haitian immigrant households had a median income of $53,800 in 2018, compared to $59,800 for foreign-born households and $49,400 for Caribbean households.
This represents an increase from the previously reported median annual income of $37,000 back in 2014.
In line with college educated Black household, according to Forbes, first generation Haitians are carrying on average $52,000 in student loan debt with a monthly payment of $150-$249. On top of $3,940 of an average credit card debt balance. Those lucky enough to have purchased an affordable home pre-2021 are likely in the best shape.
Homeownership will be crucial in fighting wealth erosion while building passive income. If you haven’t figured it all out, it doesn’t mean that your life is over. This is merely an obstacle, but not the end of the story.
You have to pivot.
The American Dream is not debt
While others are leveraging social media lifestyle supported by consumer debts, they are merely trading their time for $500,000 worth of lifetime interest. Turns out, it’s easier to write a new narrative.
This is the part of the story when you get back up again. It is time to take control. You have that power at your fingertip. No matter if it is on a tablet, laptop, smart TV or cell phone; you have access to knowledge.
[Krick Krack] You win the wealth game by LISTENING and TAKING ACTION.
Haitian American Financial influencers have stepped up to the plate and are providing wealth tips. Most of which are absolutely FREE. The next move is yours.
Turns out, the community can change One Episode at a time
These are The Neighborhood Finance Guy’s Top Haitian-American Financial Influencers which includes Podcasters, YouTubers and IG pages.
This selection is based on financial originality, expertise, money management, mindset development, investing and purpose. While it’s presented in a numeric order, this is merely a list of the ones that come to mind first.
I also took the liberty to compress entries where there are shared platforms. Not listed here but worthy non-financial mentions include L’UnionSuite Platform, The Gentlemen’s Factory and SeeJeanty.
1. Haitian Millennial Money with Kore’M Podcast
Kicking this off with the heavy hitter.
Seeing a need to deliver engaging financial education to Haitian millennials, Haitian Millennial Money was created.
Together the founders of Kore’m Podcast and Kreye Guide curate content and bring together leaders within the community to make financial literacy available to all.
It’s not to late to join a community of Haitian personal finance content creators, investors, and entrepreneurs virtually Summer 2022.
This conference is a chance to learn about everything from buying your first stocks to investing in real estate. Last year, I got a chance to connect to Sebastien Beauboeuf who is learning the ropes of real estate investing while doing a lot of the renovations with his wife.
It’s incredible.
The Pioneer of Haitian Wealth Influencers Movement
In conjunction with the Haitian Millennial Money banner, KORE’M Podcast is a platform that aims to empower, educate, motivate and inspire young Haitian millennials all throughout the world to press towards their version of success.
This podcast acknowledges the disparities and disproportionate amount of knowledge, life-changing information and useful resources that are not being shared in creole to advance the Haitian community.
Given this reality, Kore’M Podcast is committed to being a catalyst and podium for equipped and knowledgeable individuals in the community to share their journey, hacks to thriving and greatest lessons learned in creole.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/korem-podcast/support. You won’t regret great episodes featuring a myriad of wealth influencers such as:
- Making Passive Income through Air BnBs with Merline Raymond
- Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable with Marcus Bo
- 101 Ways to make Money in Haiti with Chris Jeanty (SeeJeanty)
2. The Financial Griot (#TFG) Podcast with the Neighborhood Finance Guy
The Financial Griot (TFG) podcast is where three Haitian-American millennials talk about wealth, health and more. They share a myriad of stories centered on the 1st generation Black experience in the US and are fearless in their approach of hard subjects.
The goal is to make an impact on your journey with a high consideration on being whole, happy and wealthy.
TFG promises to leave you with actionable steps that you can use. It’s often raw and genuine. Blending real world wealth tips and strategies, you should definitely tune into conversations from a Business entrepreneur, a global travel enthusiast and a financial literacy educator.
They were also listed on the top 100+ African American Personal Finance Bloggers, you really need to tune in.
Here are some fan favorite episodes:
- Media Says Black People are Poor… Again
- Blaming Other People Even Children for Our lack of Productivity
- Black Luxury Spending, Wealth and Debt – #PayMyTrip
The squad is balanced by Alainta Alcin is a globe trotter at heart. After teaching English in South East Asia, she returned with a fresh perspective on what’s possible. She even bought a home at the height of the pandemic. Lovely Merdelus is typically way more centered and philosophical. With her experience in big tech, she is passionate about teaching others how to scale up to seven figure business. There’s also Doreen Delva-Gonzalez, the unsung and unpaid intern working on their posts in the background.
And finally, the other guy (listed below).
Over 250 Wealth Building Articles and Epic AF!
Lawrence Delva-Gonzalez aka the Neighborhood Finance Guy, works as a government Auditor.
His primary role encompasses auditing over $10 Billion dollars of Federal funds through Domestic Financial Assistance and International Programs.
Although generally care-free, Lawrence is still a Marine at heart so he doesn’t mince words. His passion lies in playing an active role in his community.
He is out to prove that creating generational wealth in one life time is IMPROBABLE but not IMPOSSIBLE. As such, all you need to know is the Financial Order of Operation.
With over 10 years of experience with teaching Financial literacy from elementary to pre-retirees, in addition to an expertise in Accounting specializing in Taxation, he knows his stuff. You can generally find him going toe to toe about money on social media.
Feel free to check out his conversation with NPR Twitter Spaces hosted by famed journalist, Wilkine Brutus (below).
3. Faith and Leo Jean-Louis paid off $224,000 of debt
In the summer of 2017, Leo Jean-Louis, an occupational therapist, and Faith Jean-Louis, a pediatric nurse practitioner, got married, combining their debt for a total of $211,000 between their student loans and credit cards.
That number gradually increased to $224,000 because of interest.
In order to maintain their debt payments, the couple had a minimum monthly payment of $2,200 between the two of them.
At that rate, it would take them 15 years and cost them $125,000 in additional interest to pay off their debt. They knew they couldn’t feel fully free until they were able to get that out of the way.
After returning from their honeymoon in Greece, they decided to tackle their debt and pay it off as soon as possible.
They didn’t initially know how many years they could cut out. But, two-and-a-half years later, they found themselves debt-free. Now, they have a blog, Freedom Is A Choice, to help others get out of debt.
Leo is very engaging and committed to helping you pay down your debt. Recently the Jean-Louis family jump on board the rental real estate train to generate passive income. They’ve been featured in more place that we can ever list.
4. Melissa Jean-Baptiste, co-founder of Millennial in Debt
Melissa Jean-Baptiste, a first-generation American living in New York City, did what many people do after graduating college.
She made the monthly payment on her student loan debt without thinking much about it. “I said, ‘OK, well, pay your bills. Do what you’re supposed to do. And that’s the proper way to adult,’” she recalls. “I didn’t try to understand student loans” and taking on debt. “I didn’t try to understand much.”
Then she tried to buy a home and found out her debt-to-income ratio — that is, the share of monthly income being used to pay down debt — was too high to land a decent mortgage rate. “I have good credit, pay on time. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand why I couldn’t move into this next step in adulthood,’” she says.
Jean-Baptiste is now a homeowner as well as a seasoned investor. Although she loves where she is, Melissa wishes that more people fostered an environment of mentoring.
She now knows about the power of letting your money grow. After paying off her $102,000 in student debt on a teacher’s salary and becoming the co-founder and content creator of the Millennial in Debt brand, she spends her time teaching young people how to get out of debt, build wealth and earn financial freedom.
“Honestly, the best step in learning or starting to deal with your debt,” she says, is to figure out where you stand, do your research, and know “what your options are.” Melissa is pure grounded modern wealth and our very own Money Beyonce.
5. Investing with Schelo Doirin of Black Women Invest
When Schelo Doirin started my investment journey, her focus was to create a plan to help her parents retire well. As the daughter of Haitian Immigrants, she witnessed their sacrifices and knew there had to be a practical way to help them.
This desire led her to study finance in college.
She set out on a mission to bring back knowledge to help her community. Unfortunately, she found that the information aimed to make people financially dependent on a job – NOT financially literate.
Schelo was determined to learn how the rich got richer! And that search eventually led to Investing.
At the age of 20, she was introduced to the concept for the first time from customers at a restaurant where she waited tables.
Investing opened her eyes to a world of possibilities and more importantly gave her permission to dream BIG. Today she is a licensed Realtor who specializes in investment properties. Additionally, she manages a successful AirBnB business without ever owning a home.
She is on a mission to retire at 35 and help as many women along the way who are ready to take charge of their financial futures.
6. Get the Keys to the coin with Dr. Paul Etienne
With a specialization in Finance, Dr. Paul Etienne witnessed the concern with the lack of financial literacy or how to budget.
For his graduation gift to the community, he provided his own best-selling kindle book on how to manage your finances for FREE.
Additionally, he is also giving away his budgeting software “MadbuMax” to manage income and expenses and stay on top of your finances.
Dr. Etienne is seeking to help the community analyze stocks, financial news, listen to his podcast “Keys to the Coin.”
He is also teaching the audience how to grow your business and scale profitability. Check out these episodes:
- Financially Independent and Retiring Early as a couple
- The First Million Dollars
- Retirement: Learning to get along with less cheese
7. Capitalize Black with Sainte Fanie, CPA
Sainte Fanie was born and partly raised in Haiti. She witnessed her mother starting over economically and working tirelessly to provide for the family’s needs.
It wasn’t until her Senior year of high-school that I learned how much her household’s annual income was. To this day, she marvels at how anyone can raised 4 children with that income.
Fast forward a few years, Sainte is now a Certified Public Accountant with 5+ years of experience in Corporate Taxation.
Working with one of the largest professional services networks in the world, she manages the tax compliance processes for several multinational companies earning more than 8 figures in gross revenue.
Although she is well on her way to being a millionaire, her current goal is to help evolving professionals and entrepreneurs maximize and protect their earning potential through strategic financial planning.
Even as a CPA, Sainte sometimes found herself in a financial this fog. She realized that what stops many of us from truly pursuing wealth is the starting point. As a financial coach, she assist clients by not just getting them to the starting line but also with creating long-lasting systems that help them continue their course well beyond the sessions.
8. Make Travel a Financial Priority with the Thought Card by Danielle Desir
If you ever wanted to afford to travel more, pay off debt, and build wealth then you need to link up with Danielle Desir.
She is an author, travel and personal finance writer, speaker and the host of The Thought Card Podcast.
There, Danielle shares how to find the best travel deals, fabulous travel destinations, practical tips for saving money, investing, home ownership and so much more.
A native of New York City, in 2015 she started this affordable travel and personal finance blog combining her passions for travel and money.
She’s actively debunking the myth that you can’t actually travel while paying off student loans.
When she is not creating content online, you can find her leading WOC Podcasters, a community of women of color podcasters with over 4,300 members from 75+ countries!
So far, she traveled to over 27 countries and 4 continents.
You can learn more about her by listening to these select episodes –
- How I Became a Financially Savvy Traveler
- Pregnancy Announcement + Maternity Leave Checklist For Entrepreneurs
- Planning Your First Solo Backpacking Trip and Best Places For Solo Female Travel With Gemma Thompson
9. Turn’T 30 Podcast with Mari Jay
Dear 30 Somethings, life comes at you fast! Join Mari Jay to discuss the challenges faced and lessons learned after turning thirty. From relationships and family, career and finances, health and sex, no one truly prepares you for adulting.
These ladies love to chat about all aspect of modern life. Additionally, they are the definition of meeting people where they are since we are all traveling the same journey.
Don’t be too shy to give them a try.
Fellas beware since this a Black podcast centered on the woman’s experience… Or maybe, it’s more reason for you to tune in for the secrets. If you want a bold and refreshing take on podcasts that gives subtle hints at Black wealth, you are in the right spot.
Here are some episodes you need to listen to:
- I Recognized Trauma Responses (Healthy vs Unhealthy Coping)
- Then I Planned For The Future with Anne-Lyse Wealth)
- And Then I Wanted Financial Freedom with Alainta Alcin)
10. What’s Next Gen XYZ – A Conversation Catered to the Journey
What’s Next Gen XYZ is the go-to podcast for young people. If you are trying to figure out the age old question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?”
This is for you.
You’ll travel on a journey learning about traditional and non-traditional careers that exist in the world today.
Your guides on this journey and the hosts of the show Eunice Pierre-Louis and Rachael Kaufman have been on both sides of the journey. They realized that if they’d known better, they may have made some different decisions.
Listen in weekly to learn more about the career paths that the world has to offer. You never know what you can pursue. Check out these select episodes for starters:
- Level Up with Antoinette Apolon
- Getting the Legal Tea with Influencer Attorney Kameron Monet
- Changing Lives One Mind at Time with Steve Banks Part 1
Bonus – Journey to Launch with Jamila Souffrant
Highly recommended and we just had to include her since she is married to a Haitian American male teacher! Had to emphasize the Black male teacher since we need more of them. Thanks Jamila for finding him a home.
Bonus, Jamila has been featured on NyTimes, GMA, MoneyMag, BuzzFeed and Essence.
Influencing a New Generation of Wealth, Happiness and Purpose
I have cut grass, cleaned out home, worked at McDonald’s, Best Buy, and even endured the horrors of retail; I know where you are and I am telling you that financial podcasts are where you need to pivot to.
Feel free to recommend others to me as well. This is a growing medium and I hope to get up and running as well in 2022.
If you need other recommendations, say no more fam:
Here’s what my household is working toward?
Closing out the year stronger.
- Working on investing an additional $25,000 to hit the total of $75,000 in M1 Finance Brokerage focused on Dividend Income. Our goals is to generate at least $3,500 in passive Income for starters in 2022. Check out the portfolio in real time. Get started, here is the $10 for $10 referral – https://m1.finance/SYdqDJ2SyADC.
- Boosting back the Emergency savings. Keep tabs on your cash flow, net worth, investments, retirement and more for absolutely FREE with Personal Capital! Sign up with my link & get $20 Amazon gift card. *Terms apply. https://pcap.rocks/lawrencegonz
- As high inflation and recession rages on, Get back to shape – HIIT Mornings. Running, and biking just pushing out effort. I say it all the time but it’s still good. We did start HIIT workouts off of YouTube.
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