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24779: Hermantin (News) Essence of Miami
leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>
Posted Posted on Fri, Apr. 15, 2005
Essence of Miami
When Essence magazine decided to publish its ''biggest issue ever''
celebrating 35 years of inspiring black women, the folks in New York didn't
just stay in the Big Apple. They headed down south.
Among the stunning and trailblazing black women featured in the collector's
edition are Miami's own Marleine Bastien, executive director of Fanm Ayisyen
Nan Miyami/Haitian Women of Miami; and a former local girl, actress Garcelle
Beauvais-Nilon, who was discovered by former Essence Editor-in-Chief Susan
L. Taylor while visiting New York as a Miami high schooler.
After several modeling gigs, she turned to acting and her credits include
Models Inc., the Jamie Foxx Show, NYPD Blue and now, Eyes. She plays a
''strong, sophisticated, intelligent'' woman who speaks French.
Both women are Haitian-born, a sign that the community is prospering and
receiving attention outside of the Little Haiti quarters. In fact, the
scene-setter for Bastien's photo shoot was SoBe's Tap Tap Restaurant, which
serves up authentic Haitian cuisine while showcasing the work of Haitian
artists. Bastien's photographer? Former Herald standout, now freelancer,
Jeffrey Salter.