Interview with Sandy Dorsainvil

              Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Sandy Dorsainvil
Miami, FL, September 17, 2013
Interview ASM0085000045
Interviewed by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis
Recorded by Javier Carrion
Outline by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis and Ben Morris
Length: 00:56:00
Interview with Sandy Dorsainvil, a Haitian-American educator and community advocate who became the Executive Director of the Little Haiti Cultural Center in 2013. Dorsainvil earned a B.A. in history and secondary education from Howard University and is working on a graduate degree in secondary education. Before coming to the Little Haiti Cultural Center, she worked for the Broward County School System as a teacher, special events and marketing administrator, and elementary school aftercare program administrator. During this time, she was also involved in the Haitian cultural community, including the Center for Haitian Studies, the Roots & Culture Festival, and the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance. Other community activities include the Florida International Volunteer Corp, the City of Miami Arts & Entertainment Council, and serving as a Mayor Appointee for the Miami-Dade County District 5 Arts Advisory Panel.
This interview forms part of the Haitian Diaspora Oral History Collection of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections.
This oral history expresses the views, memories and opinions of the interviewee. It does not represent the viewpoints of the University of Miami, its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The University of Miami makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interview and expressly disclaims any liability therefor.
Copyright to this interview lies with the University of Miami. It may not be reproduced, retransmitted, published, distributed, or broadcast without the permission of the University of Miami Libraries Special Collections. For information about obtaining copies or to request permission to publish any part of this interview, please contact Special Collections at asc@miami.edu.
Sandy Dorsainvil 2
September 17, 2013
INTERVIEW OUTLINE
− 00:00:13: Introduction
− 00:00:38: Let’s start at the beginning. Tell us a little bit about your childhood, where you grew up, your family environment, your schooling, things like that.
− 00:05:23: At that time, when you came to Miami, you said that’s when you really realized you were Haitian. What prompted that? How did you become aware that you were Haitian?
− 00:10:13: Who was the most influential person [in your life] as a child? Who would you say?
− 00:13:26: Of course you attended college, so tell us what you studied, and why did you choose the topics you studied?
− 00:22:00: Would you have taken a different academic path if you had to do it over again?
− 00:23:14: What did you get your masters’ in?
− 00:23:44: So you’ve been a teacher at Broward County public schools. What position did you teach?
− 00:31:10: The Haitian Culture Arts Alliance… you’ve worked there as the executive director?
− 00:40:45: For the sake of the archive, there are not too many people who know about the Little Haiti Cultural Center. What’s the mission of the Center?
− 00:45:50: What is your vision for the culture… where do you want to see the next 5 years?
− 00:48:00: So you’re planning to [accomplish your vision] through what medium – lectures, classes?
− 00:53:13: So let’s finish up by saying, of all of your accomplishments, which one are you most proud of?
− 00:55:43: Would you like to add anything else?
− 00:56:00: END OF INTERVIEW