Interview with Gepsie M. Metellus

              Caribbean Diaspora Oral History Collection
Interview with Gepsie Metellus
Miami, FL, October 26, 2015
Interview asm0344000001
Interviewed by Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis
Recorded by Javier Carrion
Outline by Kriti Sood
Length: 00:50:52
Interview with Gepsie M. Metellus, an executive director and co-founder of the Haitian Neighborhood Center or Sant La in Miami. She was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and moved to New York when she was 12 years old. Gepsie majored in French and Political Science at Queens College. When she was 23, she moved to Miami, in the midst of the Haitian boat people crisis, the Duvalier regime, and the AIDS crisis. Gepsie did not start her organization immediately but did join the Haitian Refugee Center and other organizations that kept her rooted to Haiti. She worked with Miami-Dade public schools for 10 years and then for the Miami-Dade County government. She left in 2001, and began to develop an organization to bridge the non-Haitian and Haitian community. She developed Sant La, which focuses on education, advocacy of issues, and documentation. Gepsie is on the board of many organizations in the South Florida community and has won numerous awards for her efforts, including the Woman of Impact award.
This interview forms part of the Caribbean 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. INTERVIEW OUTLINE
 00:00:13: Introduction
 00:01:02: We’re going to start at the beginning. How about your birthplace, your schooling, your parents, where you grew up?
 00:06:33: When you came here from your transition from New York to here, how old were you?
 00:06:44: So when you got here, where did you start?
 00:08:10: Was there an organization that you guys started?
 00:09:40: Listen, not just the best. History tells us even more. Did you do anything with the theater?
 00:11:28: I knew there was a part of you that I didn’t know – the cultural part of it.
 00:13:40: Was it mostly news?
 00:14:41: But in those days you would have been probably quite difficult to do that, because everybody was so focused on Haiti and on returning. Correct. So it would have been difficult. Now when you hear people they understand that they have to have an alternative way.
 00:15:46: He probably wasn’t popular. I can imagine that.
 00:16:00: Absolutely. I think many of us have had that same influence. Especially from the older generation, they wouldn’t let go.
 00:16:46: I can certainly understand that. So now we are at the point where you arrive in Miami. You started getting yourself involved. And then at some point you said okay. All of that sounds really good, but then it is time I had my own voice.
 00:20:55: Before we move forward, I’m curious about your year in Mexico? What was that about?
 00:23:52: So what is the focus of Sant La?
 00:28:04: What is the percentage of Haitian versus non-Haitian that you serve here?
 00:28:50: and seniors, do you have services for seniors?
 00:29:45: and immigration services?
 00:30:30: What I was going to say is that it is not about having… you know because I worked for many years in libraries. It is not so much about having all the services in a building, but the main thing is to be able to refer someone to the right places and I think in many cases it is more efficient that way.
 00:31:57: That is the other reality…Now something that is close to my heart. I was reading about you and it said that you have written a number of articles and things about Haiti and the impact. When do you find time? That is what I was thinking when I was reading that.
 00:34:52: Are they published digitally?
 00:35:38: FIU also now has a big digital library…
 00:35:35: From what I am hearing from what you are saying, I want to make sure. My whole perspective from what you are speaking is to give it as more access. To make this possible…
 00:36:54: No, this demographic study actually is a key to many of our public institutions. I remember when I was an assistant director of outreach; FIU Metropolitan was the one that helped us. We shaped the library districts and where are the people and the communities. So if we are going to shift libraries and services, where are we going to do that. So that is quite something to have out there. So thank you.
 00:38:10: And find context for why things happen, because people tend to drop on just whatever is there.
 00:38:24: That is totally exciting. Because that is usually the biggest problem with communities that are perceived as low income communities. As you said before everybody wants to write a prescription, but nobody is diagnosing. What is the real cause? So before you give me that prescription, let’s find the real cause. But you have also been recognized not only nationally, but internationally for all kinds of things and all types of awards. Which one of these awards really symbolizes you and your work? Okay, Pick two.
 00:40:59: So for you to bring Sant La to the forefront of the media and to the forefront of your partners, I can’t even imagine the efforts it took. So from the time you started Sant La to now, what would you say. Where would you put this organization in the middle of the other ones?
 00:43:30: Well you have a formula, a winning formula. And what about your staff?
 00:44:44: Wow, so you have a busy schedule. Do you have any spare time?
 00:45:25: Very good. You can tell. You look great. I haven’t seen you for a while and it makes me very proud to sit across from you. No, it is just most of us, especially, not only in this community. I have studied in New York also and getting your way through the system and in the US and making a mark. It takes a lot of courage. As you said it takes a lot of passion and the determination to take it.  00:46:30: Well it has been amazing. Anything that I forgot to ask that you really want the next generation to know?
 00:47:38: And these meetings happen here at Sant La?
 00:48:19: So in each one of these segments, there is a different issue that you are looking at?
 00:48:50: Well they are lucky, I can tell you that. Because most of us here had to figure it out ourselves and I think that is great. At least the legacy will be a little bit different.
 00:49:31: Very good, yes this is a great note. This is a great legacy for you to pass on. So they know where they are going and can build a better future.
 00:50:00: And I think in my humble opinion that you are well on your way.
 00:50:26: Well thank you so much. And I am absolutely sure that these are one of the interviews will be viewed over and over again. Thank you for your time.
 00:50:52: END OF INTERVIEW