The Maroons

Berwick Augustin (aka Underscore) (Playwright/Poet)

Born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti but raised in Miami's little Haiti community. Berwick Augustin uses the pen name "Underscore" to emphasize various issues/topics and ways to counteract them. With a love for the arts, a mind of visions and an interpreting hand, his poems turned into stories reenacted on stage. He has self published a book, Reflections of Divine Intellect (December 2003) and recently released his debut spoken word CD The Base, The Chase, The Place (May 2005). After much success as a director with Proverbs Drama Ministry, his vision of producing and promoting community wide interest in culture and the gospel flourished in his latest critically acclaimed stage play project Libéré LiberisUnderscore is the founder and host of a monthly spoken word event, P.H.I.R.S.T. IMPRESSIONZ. Mr. Augustin has hopes of taking his works and talents to places far and beyond the state of Florida.

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Jesler Mezidor (aka DEEPN'THOUGHT)

Jesler was born in Port - Au - Prince on March the 18th 1968. At a very early age he was already well versed in the theatrical world. He
Performed in several churches as well as artistic clubs that swamped our nation capital city at the time. He embraced the world of poetry when he entered Franck Etienne College in 1982. He has been passionately influenced by Franck from whom he learned the skills of concision and love for the creole language. His immediate and personal mentor was a fine Haitian poet and playwright by the name of , Jean Robert Christian Victoria, (KWITOYA) Jesler writes and says poetry both in Creole and English. As a poet, his peculiar and unique style caresses people's mind, body and soul.

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Roland Cherasard (aka Eros)

Born in Brooklyn NY moved to Port Charlotte FL as a youth. Roland has been writing poetry since High School. Poetry has always been an avenue to captivate people. His poetry often exudes sensuality and affection, however, he often writes about his Haitian heritage and all that is encompassed in being a contemporary Haitian-American. Through poetry he hopes to entertain the hearts of many and also educate them about issues that are sometimes overlooked in life, culture and history inclusive of Haitian women and motherslways been an avenue to captivate people. His poetry often exudes sensuality and affection, however, he often writes about his Haitian heritage and all that is encompassed in being a contemporary Haitian-American. Through poetry he hopes to entertain the hearts of many and also educate them about issues that are sometimes overlooked in life, culture and history inclusive of Haitian women and mothers

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Prosper Sylvain, Jr. (a.k.a. Mak30/Makendal) --

Prosper Sylvain's talent in poetic recitations and lecturing covers a wide range. He has had the opportunity to be inspired by Poet Laureate and SUNY Professor Leroy Jones (Amiri Baraka), and has had the opportunity to further his knowledge of English, African American and Haitian Literature, keeping a strong interest in the Negritude and Harlem Renaissance era. As a performer, Mak30 has shocked, inspired and incited his audiences and readers. Mak30 hopes to assist in raising the standard and bar of literature in the Haitian-American community while simultaneously teaching non-Haitians the truth, beauty, splendor and grit of his culture and history.

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In 1968, Mr. Albert Mangones built the statue of the Neg Mawon, or runaway slave.

Mr. Mangones, who passed away in 2002, was one of the original members of the group of Haitian artists and intellectuals who wanted to found a center for the visual and cultural arts.

That center is alive today in the hearts of the spoken word and poetry group ensemble known as The Maroons.

South Florida is home to the group known as The Maroons: Makendal (pronounced Mahk-Uhn-Dal), Deep In Thought, Underscore, Roland, and Deadly Venum, formed a group based on the ideology behind the concept of the original Maroons of Haiti. In the times of the insurrection and revolution in Haiti, Maroons, defined as slaves who fled the plantations and lived in the mountains, would descend from their hidden fortresses in the mountains and attack the slave system and its army in hopes of freedom and liberty. in 1804, that hope was realized as Haiti became the first black republic and freer of slaves.

Their goal is to come down from the mountains of corporate America, day to day struggles and misconceptions to free the yet still enslaved minds of society and to give a voice to the voiceless people who are experiencing so many things today through poetry, theater and art. These modern day Maroons pledge their allegiance to uphold the pride of their people, uplifting the culture of their country and destroying the misconceptions of Haitians and Haitian history.

The Maroons have a combined total experience of approximately 15 years performing, writing, and reciting poetry. With musical interludes, drums and poetry, their performances in English, French and Kreyol.

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Oudie R Thelemaque (a.k.a.Deadly venum) -- Born in Port Au Prince, Haiti, Oudie migrated to Miami at a very young age where he began to experience the beauty of writing. he uses poetry as the anti- venum for society's poisonous mind state. Deadly Venum is also the founder of ZOES APPAREL clothing line, which was showcased on Wyclef Jean's video Lavi Nan New York. The ultimate motivation of ZOES APPAREL is to help bring back the positive aspect of the name that surrounds the Haitian community.

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Berwick 'Underscore' Augustin is a Haitian American Playwright and Poet

In 1968, Mr. Albert Mangones built the statue of the Neg Mawon, or runaway slave.

Mr. Mangones, who passed away in 2002, was one of the original members of the group of Haitian artists and intellectuals who wanted to found a center for the visual and cultural arts.

That center is alive today in the hearts of the spoken word and poetry group ensemble known as The Maroons.

South Florida is home to the group known as The Maroons: Makendal (pronounced Mahk-Uhn-Dal), Deep In Thought, Underscore, Roland, and Deadly Venum, formed a group based on the ideology behind the concept of the original Maroons of Haiti. In the times of the insurrection and revolution in Haiti, Maroons, defined as slaves who fled the plantations and lived in the mountains, would descend from their hidden fortresses in the mountains and attack the slave system and its army in hopes of freedom and liberty. in 1804, that hope was realized as Haiti became the first black republic and freer of slaves.

Their goal is to come down from the mountains of corporate America, day to day struggles and misconceptions to free the yet still enslaved minds of society and to give a voice to the voiceless people who are experiencing so many things today through poetry, theater and art. These modern day Maroons pledge their allegiance to uphold the pride of their people, uplifting the culture of their country and destroying the misconceptions of Haitians and Haitian history.

The Maroons have a combined total experience of approximately 15 years performing, writing, and reciting poetry. With musical interludes, drums and poetry, their performances in English, French and Kreyol.

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