Interview with Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis

Interview with Lucrèce Louisdhon-Louinis, a professional storyteller, librarian, dancer, and executive director of the Louinès Louinis Haitian Dance Theatre. She moved to New York City from Haiti for school in 1980, and she earned a B.A. in liberal arts and a Master’s degree in library science from St. John’s University. She then became a Children’s Librarian at the Queens Borough Public Library, rising to become the Assistant Coordinator of Children’s Services. She came to the Miami-Dade Public Library system in 1997, and soon became the Assistant Director of Outreach, Programming and Special Services. In this role, she was responsible for cultural programming, community outreach, and literacy programs at all of the branches in the Miami-Dade system. One of her major accomplishments was implementing the Art of Storytelling, an international cultural exchange program between librarians, storytellers, and performers. The Art of Storytelling Festival Day has become a signature library event in Miami. Louisdhon-Louinis has presented storytelling and multicultural planning workshops in Ghana, Ireland, France, Haiti, and Canada. She is also a dancer and executive director of the Louinès Louinis Haitian Dance Theatre, a cultural dance company that performs authentic Haitian fold dances, songs, and rhythm throughout the United States and Canada.