Stephanie Pierre | EAST FLATBUSH

Stephanie’s project “Roots to Routes” is a wayfinding campaign that doubles as a photojournalistic visual narrative that highlights the significant contributions of Haitian and Haitian American community members throughout NYC and, specifically East Flatbush, over the last 30 years. Finding your way will take on new meaning for East Flatbush residents through the combination of community driven activations, social journalism, and the highlighting of often overlooked community assets. Created to guide Haitian migrants and long-time residents alike through the East Flatbush neighborhood, “Roots to Routes” aims to produce a functional living map inspired by Haitian culture and informed by the East Flatbush community.

Winter Update
Over the last few months, East Flatbush artist-in-residence Stephanie Pierre has grounded her cultural wayfinding campaign in this neighborhood’s robust history of community organizing. She has begun interviewing cultural stewards and former activists to inform a community resource map of Haitian organizations in East Flatbush which were birthed out of necessity during some of the most iconic moments in our collective history. 

To support the photojournalistic element of this campaign, she has partnered with The Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College to conduct archival research for photos and ephemera related to watershed moments like The Brooklyn Bridge March in April 1990. These images will then be shared in the windows of the organizations featured on the digital community map and discussed at a community share and tell Stephanie will host in East Flatbush during the month of March. 

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Stephanie Pierre, MBA is a cultural curator and creative placemaker who crafts transformative experiences blending arts, wellness, and social impact. As founder of The Melanin Project, she pioneers initiatives celebrating marginalized narratives and collective healing. Stephanie led the establishment of NYC’s first Haitian Heritage Parade and partners with diverse organizations to develop culturally-affirming programs. A yoga teacher and cannabis advocate, she creates sacred spaces for BIPOC communities to reconnect with ancient practices and reclaim their power. Stephanie’s innovative placemaking uplifts underrepresented voices and fosters healing, joy, and transformation, driven by her vision of a more just and equitable world.