According to the US Census, more than 300,000 people of Haitian descent reside in South Florida’s tri-county area, with the majority living in Miami. Among this aspirational group are many Haitian entrepreneurs contributing significantly to the county’s cultural and economic vitality. Here are nine Haitian / Black owned Miami-based businesses you can support this August, with specialties from food and fashion to health and wealth management.
Kreyòl Essence
Kreyòl Essence was co-founded by Miami locals Yve-Car Momperousse and Stéphane Jean-Baptiste, and now, the beauty brand brings the natural, time-honored remedies of Haiti to the world. Known for their organic castor oil and other skin and hair care products infused with essential oils like lavender, hibiscus, rosemary and peppermint, Kreyòl Essence is committed to social impact and sustainability. The company employs more than 500 people in Haiti and the US, and even uses recyclable packaging and promotes financial empowerment for its workers. Their products are available in major retail chains like Whole Foods and Ulta, as well as local markets in South Florida.
COOL Creative
Established by female artists Terrance and Johanne Wilson in 2015, COOL Creative focuses on uplifting Black customers and businesses, offering a unique line of statement-making clothing featuring illustrations of Black historical figures. COOL Creative stands for Create Out Of Love, which fits their motto of giving back to the community. The proceeds from their sales benefit various local projects, including school beautification, professional career training, mentorships, disaster relief and feeding the disenfranchised.
COOL Creative is more than just a fashion line; it’s a love letter to Black culture and a commitment to social justice and community empowerment. And the hype is real, they’ve been featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show, NBC 6, Miami New Times and more! Though they no longer have a storefront in Little Haiti, a December 2023 post on their IG page states that you can still find their clothing on their website, and at Wolf & Bader and Macy’s
Primary Medical Care Center
Primary Medical Care Center, established in 2013 by Dr. Alie Darbouze, Prinston Jean-Glaude, and Edwige Jean-Glaude, was born from a deep desire to provide seniors, especially those in the Haitian community, with better healthcare. Inspired by their own parents’ struggles to find specialized care, the founders created a center that emphasizes personalized treatment, quality healthcare services, and clear communication. Today, Primary Medical Care Center operates two clinics, serving mostly Haitian clients and working closely with philanthropic organizations like HANA and the Man Dodo Foundation.
The center’s success is rooted in its commitment to treating each patient like family, empowering them to take control of their health, and offering unwavering support during both joyous and challenging times. Despite the challenges of launching the business, the center’s strong community ties and dedicated staff have earned it widespread acceptance and trust. Looking ahead, the founders aim to expand their reach, continuing to deliver much-needed healthcare services to underserved communities, all while maintaining the core values of determination, integrity, hard work, humility, and faith that have guided them from the start.
Achilles Wealth Management, LLC
Ralph Achille founded Achilles Wealth Management (AWM) in 2020 as a planning-focused, fee-only, investment advisory firm to help Haitian American business owners and executives make informed financial decisions. AWM specializes in creating cohesive financial plans that merge personal and business goals, empowering minority business owners to achieve economic independence. By supporting small businesses, AWM contributes to local economies, enabling entrepreneurs to create meaningful jobs and strengthen the communities they serve. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning services, including retirement plans, IRAs, tax returns, pension plans and more, tailored to the needs of small business owners and individuals.
Smile With Confidence
Smile With Confidence is a state-of-the-art dental care and cosmetic dentistry office in Miami Gardens, offering services such as bi-annual cleanings, veneers and dental implants. The practice is supported by two exceptional Haitian doctors, Dr. Belanne Estime-Jerome, DDS, and Dr. Rodlin Jerome, DDS. Dr. Estime-Jerome, a cosmetic and general dentist, brings over a decade of experience in cosmetic and family dentistry from Haiti and the Dominican Republic and is skilled in the latest digital dentistry technologies.
Dr. Rodlin Jerome specializes in dental implant surgery, cosmetic and orthodontic dentistry. He has advanced training in these areas and is passionate about creating a patient-friendly environment in his practice. Both doctors are committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care and building lifelong relationships with multi-generational families in the community.
St. Forts Funeral Home
St. Fort’s Funeral Home and Cremation, a Haitian family-owned and operated business with over 20 years of service, has built a reputation for quality, sincerity and trust in the North Miami Beach community and beyond. Established in 1980, St. Fort’s has provided thousands of families with exceptional burial and funeral services, with locations in Miami, Haiti and Fort Pierce. Now run by brothers Evans, Jeffrey and Gregory St. Fort, the funeral home is known for its compassionate care and personalized guidance, helping families navigate the emotional process of finalizing funeral arrangements for their loved ones.
Naomi’s Garden Restaurant & Lounge
Naomi’s Garden in Little Haiti was founded in the late 1970s by Yaron and Shula Yemini to distribute health food to local stores, the business shifted focus when the Yeminis’ Haitian employees and neighboring businesses requested lunch options. Managed today by Noami and Omaar Yemini, who interestingly enough were both born on the property, Naomi’s has expanded its reach with the addition of catering, a relaxed garden-style eating area and fresh local ingredients.
The restaurant offers a variety of hearty dishes like oxtail, jerk chicken, goat tassot, poul di, fried snapper and vegan options, all served in generous portions with sides of rice and plantain. The restaurant is named after the Yeminis’ grandmother, and operates with this quote in mind: “She cooked for 4 and fed 40. Today, her name feeds thousands and her generosity continues.”
Libreri Mapou Bookstore
Founded by Haitian playwright and activist Jan Mapou, Libreri Mapou has been a cultural cornerstone in Little Haiti since 1990. Open six days a week, this bookstore offers a wide range of books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and paintings related to Haiti and the diaspora. You can also find arts and crafts made by Haitian artisans, and sample kremas, a traditional creamy alcoholic beverage. Libreri Mapou even hosts its own Haitian Caribbean Book Fair, making it a hub for Haitian culture and literature.
Caribbean Marketplace
Looking for more? The Caribbean Marketplace in Little Haiti offers a complete cultural experience with authentic Haitian foods, art, crafts and music. Designed as a modern replica of Port-au-Prince’s Iron Market, this 9,000 sq. ft. venue is the largest within the Little Haiti Cultural Complex. Open from Friday to Sunday, it’s an ideal spot to shop for Haitian goods from local artisans, enjoy local music or relax for lunch in a casual, open-seating environment.
These Black-Haitian owned businesses not only offer essential products and services but also contribute significantly to Miami’s cultural richness and community development. Be sure to add them to your list of companies to support now and into the future.
