A glimpse inside the pages
Photography by Steven Baboun
An Heirloom for the Culture · Limited First Edition
May we remain grounded no matter where we go.
This is a collection of Haitian stories, essays, art and photographs from around the world. Its goal is to undermine negative media and act as a counter narrative. It's an heirloom that asserts our dignity, memorializes our existence and raises money to alleviate poverty in Haiti.
This coffee table book ensures that future generations read about the way we see ourselves instead of using the biased storytelling by the mainstream as a mirror. It is an argument that Haitian lives deserve to be collected and depicted with care.
This book is a product of The August Project, a 501(c)(3) organization whose goal is to leverage storytelling to alleviate poverty in Haiti.
Limited First Edition · 2026
As We Manifest Our Blackness in the World
May we remain grounded no matter where we go.
Photography by Steven Baboun
(Prelude to Setting Roots)
In the pursuit of liberation, it is not just the murder of the Black body.
It's the ceremony, the vulgarity,
the slow creep of dehumanization.
— Ruth Jean-Marie
It is important to tell our own stories. Audre Lorde said, "If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive."
But there is more. Storytelling is strategic, it is political, it is philosophical. It tells the world who is worthy of respect or love or resources. Even when everyone is, it picks and it chooses.
(Trusting Where the Wind Blows)
The August Project (TAP) made a call for submissions and landed on collecting stories via interviews, essays and art. TAP traveled to various countries to meet and photograph Haitian people where they were.
Intergenerational Haitian artists, filmmakers, essayists and more submitted their individual stories.
We announced a call to action for artists to submit their work.
We interviewed dozens of Haitian individuals around the world about migration, growing up, falling in love and more.
We traveled to different countries to document Haitian life.
Haitian artists, musicians, and storytellers whose presence makes this book what it is.
And many more voices from across the diaspora.
Yes — email ruth.jeanmarie@theaugustproject.org and we'll make sure you don't miss your window.
Yes — contact ruth.jeanmarie@theaugustproject.org to discuss bulk pricing.
We work on converting people who may not have donated otherwise to get involved. Also, many of us don't have photos of our parents or grandparents when they were children for a number of reasons, including immigration. This is an opportunity to pass down stories and images for generations to come.
A limited annual release means we're releasing it once every year. The launch date will be announced and you will have the opportunity to purchase it before that date. On that date they will be shipped, and all orders after that date will be shipped on the following launch date.
No. Purchasing before the book is created has its benefits, and that is a discount. Once the pre-order period is over, the cost will be $150 for the Standard Edition and $179 for the Collector's Edition.
This is a limited annual release. Once this edition sells out, it's gone. Pre-order now.
Pre-Order Price · Limited Availability
Pre-Order My CopySecure payment · Ships when printed · Limited quantities
Not quite ready to pre-order? Join the list for launch updates, behind-the-scenes content, and first access to future editions.
As We Manifest
Our Blackness
in the World
The August Project
A celebration of Haitian dignity, memory, and identity.
“Gen yon jou pou soufri, yon jou pou delivre. Bon dye ap delivre Ayiti. L’ap voye moun sou wout nou pou delivre Ayiti. M renmen Ayiti anpil. I love my country. My country belongs to me.”
Featured
Marguerite Pierre
“Bon dye banm anpil talan pou m ka fè sa.”
Featured
Jean Emile François
“I came from beauty. Ayiti is beauty.”
Featured
Atibon Nazaire
Actor & Musician
“When we first met, she gave me a wrong number.”
Featured
Guenson Dorestant & Manoucheka Mesius
Their journey to the United States led them through the Darién Gap.
“The first Haitian to graduate from the conservatory.”
Featured
Steeven Labady
Ballet Artist
Building porter and dancer, New York City. Arrived March 4.
“Haiti always keeps a sweetness on my tongue.”
Featured
Tasha Dougé
Writer & Activist
An Heirloom
for the Culture
The August Project
These images are a testament to Haitian dignity, memory, and the beauty we carry with us across every border.