In a groundbreaking initiative to address gender disparity in Haiti’s music sector, the Haiti Jazz Foundation has successfully concluded Zikonnect 3.0, a specialized program exclusively dedicated to female professionals. Titled “Women and Music in the Digital Age,” this third edition represents a strategic intervention to strengthen the artistic and entrepreneurial capabilities of women in an industry where they remain significantly underrepresented.
Supported by the International Organisation of the Francophonie under its Women, Arts, Music and Entrepreneurship (FAME) program, this capacity-building initiative marks a pivotal advancement since its initial launch in 2022. For the first time, the program assembled a cohort consisting entirely of 15 women from diverse regions and professional backgrounds within Haiti’s music ecosystem.
The program delivered concrete, practical resources tailored to the specific challenges of the Haitian context:
– Fifteen professionally completed Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) provided to participants
– A comprehensive practical toolkit featuring four essential checklists covering music releases, social media strategy, concert promotions, and related activities
– A collaboratively developed document mapping music industry professions, created in partnership with Ayiti Mizik (Haitian association of music professionals), which outlines career pathways and digital opportunities
– A collection of standardized contract templates ready for immediate implementation
Beyond technical resources, Zikonnect 3.0 featured inspirational sessions with prominent figures including rapper Kanis and journalist Carel Pedre, who shared firsthand experiences about navigating the complexities of the digital music landscape. Their testimonies sparked significant professional awakening among participants, with one beneficiary noting: “Her sharing opened our eyes and prepared us to face the industry’s challenges with greater clarity.
All educational materials and tools developed during the program are now publicly accessible on the Haiti Jazz Foundation’s YouTube channel, creating an enduring digital resource for continued learning and industry development.