In 2023, I was honored to receive the Anne E. Borghesani Prize from Tufts University’s International Relations Department to support my independent research. I traveled to Brazil and Miami to study how art, history, and memory intersect across diasporic communities. In Rio de Janeiro, I immersed myself in the cultural history of Little Africa, visiting museums and galleries, and witnessing firsthand how the Haitian Revolution of 1804 reverberated across Latin America. These experiences deepened my understanding of how African, Indigenous, and European influences converged and continue to shape contemporary identity and representation.

My time in Miami extended this exploration, focusing on the Haitian diaspora and archival histories. Arriving on Haitian Flag Day, I was immediately welcomed into celebrations that spoke to the resilience and cultural pride of the community. I visited museums, archives, and cultural centers, spending days in the collections of FIU, the University of Miami, and HistoryMiami. There, I uncovered photographs, documents, and materials that revealed how Haiti has been represented through journalism and cultural memory. Highlights included a studio visit with renowned Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié, conversations about Vodou drapo flags, and connecting with curators and scholars whose work continues to expand narratives of Haitian art and history.

As both a researcher and artist, I am deeply invested in how historical materials and visual culture shape collective memory. My practice sits at the intersection of art, archives, and diasporic history, with a focus on Black identity, the legacies of slavery, and transatlantic exchange. Whether in museum collections, university archives, or community spaces, I seek to uncover overlooked narratives and build connections between the past and present, informing not only my scholarship but also my artistic practice.