Captain Haiti Foundation’s Bold Move

On May 17, the Captain Haiti Foundation announced an ambitious $5 million fundraising effort, with the backing of Dargent Group, a private equity firm. The goal? To harness the power of blockchain technology to tackle Miami’s housing crisis and combat ongoing gentrification in the Haitian community, particularly in Little Haiti.

Empowering Local Residents

Nandy Martin, affectionately known as Captain Haiti and the foundation’s chairman, emphasizes that this fund is designed to empower local residents. It will help them acquire valuable land, family homes, and commercial real estate within the vibrant Little Haiti neighborhood. If this initiative can achieve just 5% of the success of Wynwood’s popular Wall, it could bring in around 150,000 tourists each year. Talk about a boost for local businesses and cultural exchange!

Innovative Fundraising through Music NFTs

In a creative twist, Martin has teamed up with Nusic, a Web3 music infrastructure provider, to launch a limited edition of geo-located music NFTs. These unique tokens will grant collectors first-option rights for real estate purchases, effectively merging the art world with real estate investment. It’s a funky way to attract new interest in Little Haiti while leveraging the NFT craze!

Beautifying the Community

The Captain Haiti Foundation isn’t just stopping at real estate acquisition; they are also aiming to raise $300,000 to improve the appearance and feel of Little Haiti. A full 30% of the funds raised will be allocated towards community cleanups, public art, and planting greenery, all part of the “Little Haiti Walls” campaign. Who said philanthropy couldn’t be colorful?

A Legacy of Support and Change

Two years ago, Martin garnered support from none other than Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson and Miami District Commissioner Jeffrey Watson. They secured about $200,000 for local businesses to help import and promote Haitian products. That’s quite the impressive roster! Additionally, Martin created the Little Haiti Coin on the Cardano blockchain to offer discounts on Haitian imports, further supporting local economy and culture.

Community Voices Count

“I kindly request your support in addressing this issue and helping us to preserve the Little Haiti Wall project, which plays such a vital role in promoting cultural understanding and appreciation,” wrote Ashley Toussaint, co-chair of the Little Haiti Revitalization Trust.

This initiative offers a fresh perspective on revitalization, merging traditional community action with innovative technology. We can only hope that Little Haiti thrives as a unique cultural hub in Miami, ensuring the artistic and cultural legacy is cherished by future generations.