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I wanted to contribute my time, myself, my knowledge, my love, because Haiti is my everything.

I feel a special connection to Haiti and the Haitian people.

I actually happened to be in Haiti right before the earthquake in 2010. I was there already with the organization I work with now, Artists for Peace and Justice, visiting the primary school that I had adopted, the Academy for Peace and Justice in Port-au-Prince. I came back, and within days, the earthquake happened.

My brother's a teacher in Costa Rica and actually does a more important and significant job than I will ever do.

I went to Brooklyn College as an education major. It was a big deal in the family, but really, I was living for Mom and Dad.

I was very fortunate to grow up with parents who love to travel, so I traveled from a young age. My dad's a heart surgeon and goes to conferences all over the world. By the time I was seven, I traveled outside the country for the first time. We went to Paris. The next year, we went to London, and then Brussels.

I think it's really important for Haitians living abroad to go back and help with the development and infrastructure, especially because there are so many international people there.

I didn't do very well when I was at school, so my dad gave me the opportunity to travel in Africa. I drove from London to Nairobi. It was incredible.

My mother graduated from high school at 15 and went to work to support the family because the eldest son went to college.