Who We Are!  Ki Moun Nou Ye!

Jeanette Alfred
Founder & President 

Raised in Germany, Jeanette has been actively engaged in the Haitian community since 1995, beginning her work with Northwestern’s Haitian Ambiance Radio station alongside hosts Gary Gaspard and Haitian comedian Frederick.
In 2000, during her first visit to Haiti, Jeanette was deeply moved by the limited access children had to books. Reflecting on her own upbringing in a book-scarce household, she was inspired to take action by founding Haiti Reads, an organization dedicated to promoting literacy and education for Haitian children, youth, and adults. Whenever possible, she returned to Haiti teaching leadership classes and laying the groundwork for what would become the Haiti Reads Library, which officially opened in late 2007.
​Since founding the organization, Jeanette has made numerous trips to Haiti, working closely with children, youth, and adults in underserved neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince. Her educational initiatives have focused on literacy, leadership, and language development.
Jeanette holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Project-Based Learning. She currently teaches English as a Second Language, continuing her lifelong commitment to education and cross-cultural engagement.

Bobbi Weaver
Vice-President & Library Consultant  

Originally from the Philadelphia area and now based in San Diego, Bobbi brings a deep passion for literacy and education to her role with Haiti Reads. She holds a Master of Science in Library Science from The Catholic University of America and a Juris Doctor from Temple University. Since 1997, she has served as a reference law librarian with a specialization in foreign and international law, and is an active member of the Special Libraries Association.
Bobbi's professional expertise, combined with her unwavering commitment to literacy advocacy, has made her an indispensable force behind the continued success of the Haiti Reads Library. Her leadership, dedication, and drive have ensured that the library not only remains operational but continues to thrive as a beacon of learning for the local community.
​As a professional librarian, Bobbi is especially committed to initiatives that promote literacy and expand access to books and educational resources in underserved areas. Her favorite authors include Margaret Atwood and Alice Walker, whose works reflect her deep appreciation for literature that challenges, inspires, and empowers.

Gerald Alfred 
Sports & Music Program Coordinator

Gerald Alfred joined Haiti Reads in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, bringing with him a deep passion for both community service and the transformative power of sports and music. As an avid soccer player, Alfred quickly organized a youth soccer program for children supported by Haiti Reads. This initiative evolved into Kicks for Haiti, a dedicated sports program he had successfully coordinated since its inception. 
In addition to his work in athletics, Alfred is a highly accomplished musician. For over two decades, he served as the lead guitarist for the renowned Haitian folk roots band Boukman Eksperyans, performing internationally and contributing to the band’s rich legacy of cultural expression. Now based in the United States, he collaborates with numerous musical groups and excels in both guitar and bass.
Alfred’s passion for music transcends age and background, drawing in people of all generations and adding a dynamic creative element to Haiti Reads' programming. Fluent in Haitian Creole, French, and English, he leverages his cultural fluency and international experience to build connections and inspire the communities he serves.
A beloved and highly valued member of the Haiti Reads team, Alfred is known for his energy, warmth, and unwavering dedication to empowering youth through education, sports, and the arts.

Jean Baptiste Franzy
Volunteer and Owner and Directeur Haiti Service Peinture   -   [email protected]

Jean Baptiste Fantzy was born and raised in Grand Anse, Haiti, and inspired from an early age by his father’s leadership as Director of Project Compassion for Haiti in Port-de-Paix. This upbringing cultivated in him a deep-rooted dedication to grassroots community service.
He is a vital component of Haiti Reads, the organization he co-founded with Jeanette Alfred, united by a shared mission to expand literacy and educational resources throughout Haiti. Though the instability in the country has compelled most members of Haiti Reads to live abroad, Jean Baptiste’s commitment remains unwavering.
Until recently, Jean Baptiste also managed his own construction and renovation business, a firm in Haiti that specialized in commercial and industrial finishing, painting services, and equipment rentals—bringing high-quality, internationally compliant standards to building projects across the country. This experience provided him with both entrepreneurial insight and practical expertise, which continue to inform his leadership with Haiti Reads.

Jean Erik 
Library Manager 

Jean Erik is the only Haiti Reads team member currently living in Haiti. He has been part of the organization since its founding—first as a volunteer and later as its only paid staff member.
In the past, Erik managed the day-to-day operations of the library, including receiving, unpacking, and cataloging books, as well as opening and closing the library when it was active. Since Haiti Reads no longer accepts book donations and does not have a physical library space, his role has shifted. Today, Erik focuses on spreading the word about Haiti Reads and raising awareness of its mission within Haiti.
Alongside his work with the organization, Erik was pursuing a degree in Theology at the Institute of Grace in Delmas 24, balancing his studies with his ongoing commitment to supporting literacy and education.

Zaza Francois (RIP)
Kash-Kash Gallery Supervisor / Owner 

Zaza was an accomplished Haitian artist and poet who lived in the countryside outside of Port-au-Prince, surrounded by nature and hibiscus blossoms that often inspired her work. She was the founder and director of KashKash Gallery, a vibrant space that showcased Haitian creativity and talent.
Haiti Reads worked in close collaboration with Zaza, hiring her to oversee the creation of art connected to the organization’s mission. Her artistic vision and dedication added depth and beauty to the work of Haiti Reads, bridging art and literacy in meaningful ways.
​Zaza passed away in Haiti in 2015, leaving behind a profound void in both the Haitian art community and within Haiti Reads. Her legacy continues to live on through the art she created, the gallery she built, and the inspiration she shared with all who knew her.

Peter Dalce
Owner and Director of Zola Tech   -   [email protected]  

Haiti Reads found a transformative opportunity when it partnered with educator Peter Dalcé, whose building in Lamentin 54 became a shared space for learning, literacy, and vocational empowerment. Though Peter had originally established Zola Tech to address the lack of trade schools in Carrefour, the collaboration with Haiti Reads brought a new dimension to the site, one that blended technical training with a vibrant library and literacy hub.
Together, Haiti Reads and Peter worked to expand the vision for the building, creating a dynamic environment where students could not only learn trades like computer repair, cosmetology, and banking, but also access books, language programs, and community resources. The synergy between the two organizations made the project bigger and more impactful than either could have achieved alone.
The library quickly became a beloved part of the neighborhood, offering a safe and inspiring space for children and adults alike. Haiti Reads poured its heart and resources into building out the space, believing deeply in the power of literacy to transform lives. Unfortunately, a family dispute over the property forced the library to vacate, and the loss of its physical location was a major setback for both Zola Tech and Haiti Reads.
More recently, escalating gang violence and instability in the area have led to the closure of Zola Tech itself. The building that once buzzed with activity and hope now stands silent; a stark reminder of the challenges facing education and community development in Haiti.
Still, the legacy of collaboration between Haiti Reads and Peter Dalcé lives on. Their shared commitment to empowering youth through education and literacy continues to inspire future efforts, even in the face of adversity. Haiti Reads remains dedicated to finding new ways to serve the Haitian community, building on the foundation of resilience, partnership, and the belief that knowledge is a powerful tool for change.