MDC TV Creole Language Show Aims to Impact and Inspire Haitian Students

The Miami Dade College Television show MDC in the Haitian Community serves as a platform for Haitian professionals to share their triumphs of overcoming obstacles in their lives while aiming toward success.

The program, which has been airing since December 2013, is the first show that  MDC TV has produced in Creole for the general public.

James Pierre, a slender and energetic 33- year-old, hosts, and produces the show. He  emigrated from Haiti in 2006 looking for better opportunities. Pierre, who earned a Bachelor’s degree in film, television & digital production from MDC in May 2014, started in radio at the age of fifteen. Soon after he focused on political journalism, but had to leave the country after he received various death threats.

“I started working on Plan B,” Pierre said about his exit from Haiti.

During his career, Pierre has worked with TV stations such as the Travel Channel and Mira TV. He has also produced music videos and has won three National Academy of Television Arts and Science (NATAS) awards.

“James’ native background and charming personality are key to the success of MDC in the Haitian Community,” said Ariel Rubalcava, director/senior producer for MDC TV,  in describing Pierre and what he brings to the show. ” The level of energy to produce, set up lights, do audio and then host the show is demanding and shows some of the responsibilities that he faces in order to keep the show on the air. MDC TV has at any given moment 20 productions on the table and we are required to do more than one function; I would say that this is the perfect environment to jump start the careers of future TV stars and James is on his way there. ”

Pierre interviews doctors, lawyers and actors in his native Creole, the French-based language of Haiti. The majority of interviewees graduated from MDC. The professionals share their skills and knowledge which they have obtained from the College’s resources. Some of his guests have included Rose Coriolan from WSRF Radio, Dr. Rudy Moise, well-known singer Mario Morose, TV personality Farah Larrieux and activist Emmanuela Jean Baptiste.

“The idea is to impact others and grow together as a community,” Pierre said.

Pierre dresses professionally in a suit and tie to record interviews often in a TV control room at North Campus. The soundproof room’s control panel buttons provided a backdrop.

“I have the ability to create something new,” said Pierre after a recent taping. “It’s a great tool to recruit students in the Haitian community.”

A 2010 article on the Immigration Policy Institute’s website said the state of Florida has the largest number of foreign-born residents from Haiti, estimated at nearly 248,000 in 2008 and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL, was the metropolitan area with the largest number of Haitians estimated at around 183,000.

MDC in the Haitian Community is airing 24 episodes through the 2014-2015 academic year. The daytime show is 30 minutes long, broadcast three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays). The pre recorded show can be seen on channel 78 on Comcast with a potential 500,000 viewers and on the YouTube channel WatchMDCTV. Thirteen episodes of MDC in the Haitian Community will be broadcast during the fall semester. The four-person MDC TV staff produces 20 shows a month on a variety of topics in English and Spanish.

Pierre has certain criteria for guests to be on the show. He looks at their years of experience in their career and how much their story can impact the viewers.  Pierre wants the show to serve as ”fuel to keep going to school.”

“Education is the key to open many doors and some doors that you didn’t even imagine would open,” Pierre said.

To view the schedule for MDC TV go to their online site.