Meet Nicole Claude of the Haitian Community of Chicago

My favorite quote is: Managing it all, and having it all by Nicole Claude

Who is Nicole Claude? I am a fun, loving, caring, a pipirite chantant, and most of all I enjoy a good éclat rit or ( a good laughter). Pipirite chantant is the nickname given to me by my dad while growing up in my terre natale, Haiti. Today I incorporate this endearing name in my CD, and during my spoken word artist presentations, “Love is my Papa calling me pipirite chantant”. 

Aside from my artistic debut, I am a healthcare professional with an extensive background in nursing. My previous expertise is in critical care nursing with working experience as a trauma and cardiovascular nurse. One of my proudest achievements is having acquiring a CCRN certification in 1990. This certification has allowed me to stay current with the fast advancement and patient care practice in the health care system by attending required scheduled critical care programs. One of the medical wonder during my clinical practice is caring for a patient diagnosed with dextrocardia. However, as a student nurse, I was intrigued by Public Health Nursing. Other areas of competence include communication, team building and partnership, management and leadership. I am multilingual speaking English, French, Spanish and Creole.

To illustrate, in 2001, I created a program called “Embracing Cultural Diversity in the Health Care System” increasingly in our diverse culture, institutions are recognizing the importance of understanding different cultures within the health care system. I am proud to have led the way on this important issue.

Since 2007, I transitioned to community and media work. Today I serve as a communicator, life coach and creative consultant with an advocacy platform. The ultimate goal is generating your community well-being with an emphasis on the Haitian/Caribbean Diaspora, and the less informed.

Success for me is to be an extraordinary world leader transforming communities worldwide by creating an abundance of love, well-being, fun and prosperity.   

Moreover, in 2009, I produced and hosted The Nicole Claude Show, a one hour weekly show, broadcasted live in the City of Chicago. It was a lasting opportunity. I interviewed many local and out of state community leaders, entertainers, promoted brand new projects and organizations, and showcased my cultural Haitian/Caribbean music. At that time, The Nicole Claude Show was empowered by several committed team members from a co-host, Medical Correspondent from Indiana, guest co-host, frequent guests and a Chef. During our allocated well-being segments, we addressed topics such as stress and its impact, H1N1 flu pandemic episodes, being fit, healthy eating habits, and First Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama’s routine on staying fit.

 In 2010, on the other hand, I founded Midwest Communication Network Group, a not for profit organization. Our vision is to help create a communication and media that work within the Diaspora and promote health programs on a continuum. Our long term goal with a team is to aid in the transformation of slum lifestyle, poor living conditions and lack of.  We hope to establish the following divisions: a nursing perspective with a voice, a global health initiative as well as fund raiser activities locally, nationally and internationally.

As a matter of fact, I am currently expanding my nursing skills by designing several inspiring health programs that will make a difference for the people living in our communities. A current focus is on Your Health-Wealth Care Management Plan, a health program that I designed with an international and transformational platform. In this model we’re trained and equipped to lead a healthier lifestyle. As the work continues I hope to bring a revitalized show that is filled with health tips/conversations, interviews and music on The Nicole Claude Show – Your Voice is On Power 102.1 FM to debut on November 5 from 8-10pm via tunein. Here, at Radio Continentale-Power 102.1 FM we promote, support and enhance the current cultural diversity and media in the Chicago/Midwest currently in existence.   

Furthermore, I am a co-founder for “Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti”, a not for profit organization based in the Chicagoland area. I also supported “Haiti Tourism Development Inc” in its endeavors. At its 2006 annual tourism “Summit” I met and was featured with President Rene Preval, now S.E.M. Michel Martelly, U.S. Ambassador Janet Anderson and Ambassador Andrew Young, Goodwill. I am a published author of two articles such as “Haiti Goes Pearl Again”, October 2007 in Koneksyon Magazine,  “Belize Prime Minister visits Chicago”, Pluriel Magazine,2010, and “Creating a Vision”, 2001. I wrote the latter in support of my work place’s transformational leadership vision with a focus on the nursing profession. This forefront article, which was presented during our monthly ”Ethics Committee” s meeting, was well received by our CEO, upper management and honorary guests. I was featured in Pluriel Magazine in 2009. The article is entitled “A New Voice for Haiti: The Nicole Claude Show Creates Opportunities to Unite the Caribbean Community in the Midwest” by Steve Schapiro, journalist.  

 I was also published in the Nursing Spectrum in their February 22, 2010 issue. The article is called “Haitian RN Sees Hope Amid Tragedy”.  I volunteered for “Chicago Helps Haiti” in a fund raiser organized by the “American Red Cross” in Jan, 2010. At that time I was also featured on several of our local TV stations such as: Fox News, NBC5, WGNNews and Radio, and print medium such as the Daily Herald newspaper in reference to the devastating earthquake that hit my native country, Haiti. At that time I had the opportunity to interview our own State Senator Kwame Raoul from the 13th District  on “Vwa Lakaye” radio program located in Hyde Park, Ill. We conversed about this unthinkable calamity and its impact on the nation of Haiti and its people. 

Additionally, in September 2010 a community gathering was organized by the “Haitian Congress” organization which was held in Evanston, Il. It was a welcoming event in honor of the Ambassador of Haiti, Guy Lamothe. It was encouraging for Chicagoans to know and eyewitness that the native Haitians were in forward motion in spite of this historical, monumental and untoward human experience. His inspirational vision and demeanor continue to guide us in the Diaspora as we aid in the recovery process. To capture this moment, an interview with the ambassador can be read on thenicoleclaudeshowblog.wordpress.com. 

I am currently an active team member for Unity Task Force based in Addison, Il. “The Unity Task Force is an actively growing group…” We were featured on ABC-Channel 7 for its September 24, 2011  show “The N (egne) Beat” with Emmy Award-winning host Theresa Gutierrez. I am the initiator and contributing writer to this article “Addison Unity Forum hosts program for AT Citizens Council” published in the Addison Independent on Feb 2, 2012 our local newspaper. 

In my personal life I am Mom to a loving and outstanding College aged student, Alexsa. Along with my Mom we form three strong generations of women. Alexsa is a medal-winner in photo modeling, Hollywood performer and continues to be trained as a dancer while focusing on her studies. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling. Working as a traveling nurse in Florida in 1990 was one of the highlight of my career while the Iguazu Falls remain vivid in my mind. I look forward to travel to Haiti after twenty years since my last visit.

Overall, my ultimate goal is to present, produce, publish and host in support of our community well-being. One noticeable outcome of communications and health programs availability is ease for all where community-sense reigns. Families are joyful, healthier lastly in communication. Together we prosper. Thriving!