As an Enterprise Resource Planning IT trainer at the U, Yanatha Desouvre dedicates his time to creating content, studying it, and facilitating training sessions for faculty and staff throughout the University.
His path in IT began as a hobby, born out of a need to figure out how to fix a constantly crashing computer game as a child. The drive to tinker and teach himself new skills never left. “I’m always learning and teaching,” said Desouvre. “I love learning; it keeps me young and fresh.”
Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Desouvre and his family left their country when he was three years old and was raised in Brooklyn, NY, and Philadelphia, PA. He originally intended to pursue a career in law but decided to major in management information and marketing at Drexel University and later earned a Master of Business Administration at Lynn University. His job as an IT trainer, which he started in 2015, is what brought him and his family to Miami, FL. His passion for teaching led him to find a position as an adjunct professor at Miami-Dade College teaching marketing in the evenings, which he started in 2017 while continuing to train at UM.
“I love my job. I love being able to connect with people and help build them up to live their life the best way they can,” Desouvre said.
It is this mission and a love of music and family that led Desouvre to his current project—recording a duet using a previously captured live video performance by his late uncle and godfather, Daniel Coulanges, a Haitian classical guitarist who suffered from HIV and passed at the age of 28 from the disease.
With the help of crowdfunding donations and recording expertise from Chris Palowitch, a production engineer at the Frost School of Music, Desouvre was able to produce a limited edition copy of his uncle’s music. He hopes this album will build awareness about HIV and encourage others to get tested and seek treatment, something his uncle was unable to do. “It’s a reminder for everyone to live their lives to the fullest because you never know when your last moments might be.”
Tell me about your musical background.
Treble and bass clefs are part of my DNA. My family is full of singers and musicians. I am a trained classical pianist and have been playing since I was 12. I taught myself to read music at the age of seven; I borrowed my brother’s recorder and taught myself to play “Mary had a little lamb.” I still practice the piano quite often because there is always room for growth. I also taught myself to play the acoustic guitar, but I am really rusty.
What do you work toward in your free time?
In addition to being a better husband and father, I am working on my next novel, which will focus on the young life of my book series’ main character, Grayson Goodman. I plan to independently publish this book—the third installation in the Goodman Chronicles series—on April 16, 2020. The Goodman Chronicles have been described by my readers as “James Bond meets Idris Elba’s Luther mixed with Mission Impossible, X-Men, and a dash of Haitian hot sauce.”
What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone?
One of the most interesting things about me is that I went skydiving to commemorate the release of my recent novel, Revelations: Roads to Redemption, with the book cover taped across my chest. This book pays homage to one of my favorite musical artists, Wyclef Jean. Each chapter is named after the rapper’s music and includes timeless Haitian proverbs. My Haitian culture is embedded in almost of all of my written work.
Who inspires you?
My father and mother, Lucien and Ninon Desouvre, are some of the greatest human beings that I know. They are far from perfect but my father’s joy for life, his kindness, and desire for continuous growth inspires me. My mother, who has endured so much yet never gives up, is ambitious and driven, and her attitude reminds me every day that nothing is impossible. One must be persistent, patient, persevere, and respect the process—and a little prayer doesn’t hurt—to be a productive human being.
Who would you most like to swap places with for a day?
I would love to swap places with my wife Amy. During the week, she is home with the little ones—we have three girls and one boy. As a family guy, I would find joy in taking the kids to school, picking them up, and helping them with homework. Moments like those are priceless. On the weekends, while Amy is at work, I usually prepare us a big breakfast and we dance to music by artists like Celia Cruz and Ray Charles. I teach them to play guitar and piano.
To reserve a copy of the “World’s Greatest” album and learn more, visit yanatha.com. All proceeds from the album sales and donations will go towards establishing the Daniel Coulanges Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Editor’s note: Know anyone with an interesting hobby or passion project? Share your story ideas with us at LifeatTheU@miami.edu.
