Crossroads Newspaper
Haitian native enjoys true independence in Atlanta
The sights, sounds and smells of Haiti permeate the Fowler residence, a new multilevel brick home in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area.The aromas of spicy creole dishes often fill the air and the business conversations include patois, the tongue of Haiti, a country that has been much in the news lately. Marie has not forgot where she came from, and she does represent great leadership using her foundations from both countries.
This Haitian Lifestyle
Marie Fowler, watching a nearby television, fights a whirlwind of emotions
and memories."Haiti became an independent country 200 plus years ago this year, but you wouldn't know by the current chaos," she says to a visitor.
Born in Port-au-Prince in 1970, Fowler, even as a child, was keenly aware of the poverty faced by her family and neighbors. She grew up with childhood seizures and saw her neighborhoods afflicted by a variety of illnesses, a direct result of inadequate health care for the poor "blacks." "There is no in-between in Haiti," she said. "There are poor people and then there are the extremely rich. People rebel when they have given up hope."
Despite two centuries of independence, Haiti, the first black-run republic, remains the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Whites and mulattos, who make up 5 percent of the island’s eight million people, control more than 50 percent of the country’s wealth.
In 1986, when she was 16, Fowler was granted a visa to enter the United States for medical treatment. She hasn't returned to Haiti. "I never had another seizure once I set foot on U.S. soil," she said. "My mission then became to get my family out of Haiti. I was hoping America could cure us of our suffering and give us back our dreams and dignity."
For five years, Fowler — who could only speak French and Creole — bagged groceries, flipped burgers, cleaned houses, walked dogs, and cared for babies, the elderly, and the sick to save enough money to help get her mother, stepfather and three younger sisters to America. They settled in New Jersey in 1991,
the year after Jean-Bertrand Aristide won Haiti's first democratic presidential election. Even then, Fowler and her family didn't believe true democracy and the promises made by Aristide would ever come to pass. "Aristide said he was a leader for the poor, but no money is given to help the people who need it most," she said. "The only way poor people can escape their reality in Haiti is to dream about a better life far away." Aristide was forced into exile Feb. 29.
Confidence in the American Dream
For five years, Fowler — who could only speak French and Creole — bagged groceries, flipped burgers,
cleaned houses, walked dogs, and cared for babies, the elderly, and the sick to save enough money to help get her mother, stepfather and three younger sisters to America. They settled in New Jersey in 1991, the year after Jean-Bertrand Aristide won Haiti's first democratic presidential election. Even then, Fowler and her family didn't believe true democracy and the promises made by Aristide would ever come to pass. "Aristide said he was a leader for the poor, but no money is given to help the people who need it most," she said. "The only way poor people can escape their reality in Haiti is to dream about a better life far away." Aristide was forced into exile Feb. 29.
Moving Towards Success
In Atlanta, American Technologies' clients include State Rep.
Billy Mitchell, NBA basketball player Shareef Abdur-Rahim,
Youth V.I.B.E., and Big Bethel AME Church.
"We are making a name for ourselves as a one-stop-shop for professional visual presentations for nonprofits, elected officials and corporations," Fowler said.
DeFlava Foods, which Fowler started in 1996, is an outgrowth
of their technology business. For years, her husband invited potential clients to their home, not only to view his computers and presentations, but also to partake in her meals. Her love of food harkened back to her childhood in Haiti, where everyone in her neighborhood cooked meals outdoors under the blazing sun. Fowler grew up helping her grandmother prepare dishes at the Haitian street market.
One of her early jobs in America was at an upscale country club in New York where she learned the art of presentation and the intricacies of pastry making. Repeat clients include MARTA and the Future Foundation.
They make Fowler's creamy cheesecakes - served up in almost any flavor you can imagine — a part of their board meetings and fundraising events.
In South DeKalb, Fowler's dreams of independence have come true in more ways than one. "I can say I am truly free in America because I can dream of a better life and work hard to make that dream come true," Fowler said. "We worked very hard at our businesses so our kids can witness hard work that results in to achieve this level of success."