We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bernade Leonidas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Bernade thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is “The Amina Project – From Book to Real Life,” inspired by my children’s book Istwa Amina nan Wanament.

The story was born from my own background. I was born and raised in Haiti, where I witnessed firsthand the daily challenges many children face—particularly food insecurity, lack of access to education, and limited opportunities for the future. Through the character of Amina, a young girl who takes initiative to address drought and food scarcity in her community, I wanted to tell a story of resilience, creativity, and problem-solving.

However, I quickly realized that the story should not remain only on paper.

During my book tour and interactions with children, educators, and communities, it became clear that the issues highlighted in the book were not just fictional—they reflect real and ongoing challenges. This led me to transform the narrative into a real-world initiative: The Amina Project.

What makes this project particularly meaningful to me is its shift from short-term aid to long-term empowerment. Rather than focusing solely on providing food, the project is designed to equip children and young people with practical skills that enable them to become self-reliant. This includes training in sustainable agriculture, creative arts such as painting, and basic entrepreneurship.

The goal is not only to respond to immediate needs, but to help build a generation capable of creating its own opportunities—young people who can feed themselves, express their creativity, and generate income through their skills.

This project represents the intersection of my identity as an author, my lived experience, and my commitment to social impact. It is deeply personal because it transforms a story rooted in my culture into a tangible pathway for change.

Ultimately, The Amina Project is meaningful to me because it turns storytelling into action—empowering children not just to dream of a better future, but to actively build it.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an author, social entrepreneur, and founder of the nonprofit organization Odla Hopp Framtidens Frön, which focuses on empowering children and youth through education, creativity, and entrepreneurship. I was born and raised in Haiti and have been living in Sweden for over two decades.

My work is deeply rooted in my cultural background and my commitment to creating sustainable change for underserved communities.
I started my journey with a strong desire to give back to my community. One of the first ways I chose to do this was through storytelling—writing children’s books in Haitian Creole. For me, language is identity, and I wanted children to see themselves reflected in stories they could fully understand and connect with. Writing in Creole was not just a creative choice; it was a statement of inclusion and cultural pride.

However, as my work evolved, I realized that if I truly wanted to create impact at a larger scale, I needed to go beyond one language. That’s when I began translating my books into other languages. This allowed my message—centered on resilience, creativity, and problem-solving—to reach a broader, international audience, including educators, institutions, and partners who could help amplify the impact.

My work today sits at the intersection of literature and social impact. I create children’s books, educational content, and community-driven projects. The most notable example is “The Amina Project – From Book to Real Life,” inspired by my book Istwa Amina nan Wanament. Through this initiative, I transform storytelling into real-world action by addressing critical issues such as food insecurity, lack of skills training, and limited economic opportunities for young people.

The core problem I aim to solve is dependency created by short-term aid. Instead of only providing temporary solutions, my work focuses on long-term empowerment. Through programs linked to my books, children and youth learn practical skills such as sustainable agriculture, creative arts like painting, and basic entrepreneurship—equipping them to become self-reliant and generate their own income.

What sets my work apart is this unique bridge between storytelling and tangible impact. My books are not just stories—they are tools for education, inspiration, and transformation. I don’t stop at raising awareness; I build pathways for change.
What I am most proud of is being able to turn my personal story and cultural heritage into something that creates real opportunities for others. Seeing a story evolve into a movement—one that empowers children to not only dream, but to act—is incredibly meaningful to me.

For potential partners, clients, and supporters, the most important thing to know is that my work is purpose-driven and impact-focused. Every project, every book, and every initiative is designed with one goal in mind: to empower individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to shape their own future.
Ultimately, my vision is simple but powerful: to create a world where children, no matter where they are born, have the tools not just to survive—but to thrive.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes, my creative journey is driven by a very clear mission: to transform storytelling into real-world empowerment for children and youth, especially in underserved communities.
As an author, I began by writing children’s books in Haitian Creole because I wanted children in Haiti to see themselves, their language, and their reality reflected in stories. Very early on, I realized that storytelling is not just entertainment—it can be a powerful tool for education, identity, and change.
Over time, my mission evolved beyond writing. I understood that awareness alone is not enough. Many of the challenges I write about—such as poverty, food insecurity, and lack of opportunities—require practical, long-term solutions. This is what led me to develop projects like The Amina Project – From Book to Real Life, where stories become a foundation for action.
Today, my goal is not only to inspire through books, but to create pathways for self-reliance. I use storytelling as a bridge to teach real-life skills such as sustainable agriculture, creativity through art, and entrepreneurship. My focus is on helping young people move from dependency to independence.
Ultimately, my mission is simple but deeply important to me: to ensure that every story I tell contributes to building dignity, opportunity, and long-term change in real communities.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the ability to transform lived experience into something that creates meaning and impact for others.

Art and storytelling give me a way to take real challenges—especially those I have witnessed in Haiti and within underserved communities—and turn them into stories and projects that inspire action rather than just awareness. There is something powerful about seeing a child recognize themselves in a story, or realizing that a book can become a tool for real change in someone’s life.

What is especially rewarding is when creativity goes beyond inspiration and becomes transformation. Through my work, particularly with Istwa Amina nan Wanament and The Amina Project – From Book to Real Life, I have seen how storytelling can open doors to education, entrepreneurship, and self-confidence for young people.

I also find deep meaning in the connection it creates between people across cultures and languages. When my work is translated and shared beyond Haitian Creole, it becomes a bridge—linking communities, experiences, and opportunities that would otherwise remain disconnected.

Ultimately, the most rewarding part for me is knowing that my creativity is not only expressing ideas, but also contributing—however small—to building dignity, hope, and long-term change in people’s lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bernade-Leonidas/author/B0GML7PSJ4?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17tnanAAmU/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernade-leonidas-041258145?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

Image Credits

Bernade leonidas