:: w e l c o m e ::
virtual home of the
haitian-artist-cultural-activist-educator
sak pase!
that's hello|what's up|welcome|how ya' doin'? in haitian kreyol. you've just entered my home - online! here you'll find information about what i've done and will be doing. many thanks for coming and sharing your energy with me. feel free to leave me a comment or write to me. SUBSCRIBE to my blog, diary of a superblackwomyn to stay up-to-date with my projects, rants, accomplishments, etc. i love to hear from everyone out there, so please keep the comments coming!
:: HAITI UPDATE ::
Dear Friends,
For those of you looking for a way to make a tangible difference in Haiti, consider donating $20 or more towards the rebuilding of Bibliotheque Soliel, a library in Port-au-Prince that was destroyed in the earthquake. Several poets, including myself, have put together a chapbook (with a dedication from Edwidge Danticat) that you will recieve as a thank you gift for your donation. Please visit www.poetsforayiti.org for more information.
For information on the global solidarity movement on Haitian women's work in the rebuilding of Haiti, please visit www.potofanm.org.
Kenbe,
Ella
my philosophy on life in "quotes"
"I ask how did I become this woman with razor blades between her teeth? I didn't know what I wanted to be but I knew I wanted to be somebody."
- sonia sanchez, poet, activist and my teacher
"You need a passion - one that won't be denied, that won't let you sleep, that's almost like breathing."
- Edwidge Danticat, writer, mcarthur genius
"It's not about you."
- john cameron, actor, director and my mentor
"If God gave you talent and you waste it, it's like pissing on God."
- james pringle, actor, director, founder of the house of champions/harlem theatre company and my teacher
"I don't do art because I want to, I do art because I have to."
- arturo lindsay, artist
"If, upon looking at my work, you gain a glimpse of my soul, you have given life to my art."
- jean marcel wah, jr., artist
"It wasn't my reality to think I would be acting in movies, so receiving this honor tonight tells me it is possible. It is possible for a kid from East Texas, raised in South Central L.A. and Carson who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them and to have them happen."
- forest whitaker upon accepting his academy award
"Do what you gotta' do to do what you wanna' do."
- denzel washington
peace and blessings
ella turenne
artist & activist
art because you have to