What does it really mean to be Haitian American in today’s world?

In this episode, Shou and Kevin B. the Brand unpack the layered reality of navigating cultural identity, heritage, and expectations while living between two worlds. From Haitian food traditions that take hours (and generations) to prepare, to the unspoken rules of code switching, community pressure, and parenting through generational trauma. This conversation is honest, reflective, and deeply relatable.

Together, they explore how upbringing, language, appearance, and cultural norms shape identity, especially for first-generation Haitian Americans. The discussion also dives into mental health, the realities of Haiti today, and how misrepresentation, distance, and diaspora complicate the way culture is preserved and passed down.

This episode isn’t about choosing between cultures, it’s about understanding your roots, honoring where you come from, and learning how to build your own table in a world that doesn’t always make space for nuance.

If you’ve ever felt “too Haitian” in one room and “not Haitian enough” in another, this conversation will feel like home.

Why You Should Listen

Because identity isn’t simple and this episode doesn’t pretend it is.

You’ll want to listen if you:

• Are Haitian American or part of the diaspora navigating cultural expectations
• Grew up code switching between home and the outside world
• Feel the weight of generational trauma while raising the next generation differently
• Care about preserving cultural heritage without repeating harmful cycles
• Want real conversations about parenting, mental health, and community
• Believe culture is lived not just inherited

This episode offers reflection, validation, and perspective without sugarcoating the challenges. It’s a reminder that embracing who you are is a journey, not a checkbox.

If that resonates (even if it doesn’t, lol), press play.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 What It Means to Be Haitian American (Identity & Roots)

03:23 Growing Up Haitian American in the Diaspora

06:08 Haitian Food Traditions & Cultural Expectations

09:21 Living Between Two Cultures (Haitian vs American)

12:18 How Haitian Culture Shapes Parenting Styles

15:16 Feeling “Too Haitian” or “Not Haitian Enough”

18:22 Code Switching as a Survival Skill

21:25 Reflections on Identity & Cultural Belonging

26:10 Language Barriers in Haitian American Families

29:18 Generational Differences in Cultural Assimilation

32:19 Food, Family & Preserving Haitian Traditions

35:50 Childhood Memories That Shape Cultural Identity

38:52 When You Realize You’re Different

50:46 Guilt, Legacy & Carrying Cultural Expectations

55:51 The Reality of Haiti Today (Beyond the Headlines)

58:20 Dance, Expression & Haitian Cultural Pride

01:01:21 Music, Generations & Cultural Influence

01:07:21 Haitian Cuisine as Identity & Resistance

01:10:19 Mental Health in Haitian & Immigrant Families

01:15:26 Building Community & Protecting Cultural Identity

01:19:40 Final Thoughts: Building Your Own Table

Thank you for tapping into Roots 2 Realities, where we talk about the things that shape us, challenge us, and connect us.

If something in this episode made you pause, reflect, or feel seen, that’s the point.
Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs the conversation.
We’ll see you next time, same roots, realer conversations.

✨ Culture. Legacy. Real Talk. ✨