Rags to Riches Tale of Haitian Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

His is truly a "rags to riches" story.

Haitian-born actor, Jimmy Jean-Louis grew up in the slums of Petion-Ville, Haiti until age 12, working his way to become a Hollywood celebrity. 

In 2010, his deep love for his homeland caused him to shift his focus from his acting career to help rebuild Haiti, which was ravaged by a 7.0 earthquake on January 12. He is the founder and president of Hollywood Unites for Haiti, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping underprivileged youth in Haiti. 

Louis is an artist with international appeal. Early in his career, Jimmy worked as a dancer and a model in France, Spain, Italy, South Africa and England. He moved to Los Angeles in 1998 to pursue acting. His credits include movies "Tears of the Sun" (Bruce Willis), "Phat Girlz" (Mo'Nique), "Diary of a Tired Black Man", and the NBC hit television show "Heroes".  Jimmy currently has a recurring role on the CW show "Arrow".

 

He recently shot his most important film to date. Jimmy portrayed the title role in  "Toussaint Louverture" and won Best Actor at the Pan African Film Festival, the Trinidad and Tobago International Film Festival, and Vues d'Afrique International Film Festival in Canada. He was also nominated Best Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2012. 

He is fluent in five languages and sings. He was an invited singer on the Quincy Jones project "We Are The World 25" to benefit humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti.

Louis resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Evelyn and three children.

 

IN HIS OWN WORDS

Jimmy Jean Louis talks about his work in Haiti and his career. 

 

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

·        Recurring role in CW Show, "Arrow."

·        Role in popular NBC series "Heroes."

·        Founder and President of Hollywood Unites for Haiti.  

·        Nominated for Best Actor at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (2012).

 

WHO ELSE ARE WE HONORING? 

·        Leanna Archer... Visioneur Award
·        Etienne Charles... Trailblazer Award
·        Dr. Guy Harvey... Luminary Award
·        Camille Wardrop Alleyne - Excellence in Science & Technology Award
·        Frederick 'Freddie' McGregor... Lifetime Achievement Award
·        Shala Monroque - Vanguard Award
·        Dr. Deborah Persaud... Outstanding Contribution to Medicine Award
·        Kim Watson... Outstanding Community Service Award

 

 

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Inspiring Style - Shala Monroque, 2013 Vanguard Award Recipient

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

She came to New York from her native St. Lucia with a dream and a bag.  Today, she is the style maven and muse of one of the fashion world's top names: Prada.

Her eye for style and her passion for art has earned her numerous cover pages as well as an insider's view of the fashion world. 

Today, she serves as Creative Director at Garage, an independent fashion publication founded by Dasha Zhukova, well known Russian philanthropist.

She serves as fashion consultant for the Prada brand, hosting several 'Miu Miu Musings,' informal group conversations on fashion.

Shala works as a freelance art consultant and writer, contributing to publications such as American Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She also runs her own blog, 'Shala's Rabbit Hole.'

A favorite with street-style photographers, Monroque has been featured in Japanese Vogue, Chicago Society Magazine and New York Magazine and acts as a model for Net-A-Porter online magazine. 

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

·        Edited and written for several fashion magazines including Pop where she served as editor.

·        Featured in several top magazines such as Japanese Vogue, Town & Country and high fashion online site Net-A-Porter.

·        Provided consulting services for top fashion designers such as Prada.

 

Who else are we honoring? 

- Etienne Charles... Trailblazer Award

- Dr. Guy Harvey... Luminary Award

- Jimmy Jean-Louis... Excellence in the Arts Award

- Frederick 'Freddie' McGregor... Lifetime Achievement Award

- Dr. Deborah Persaud... Outstanding Contribution to Medicine Award

- Dr. Camille Wardrop Alleyne... Excellence in Science & Technology Award

- Kim Watson... Outstanding Community Service Award

 

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Copyright 2013 Caribbean E-Magazine All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without credit..

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