Mission Statement

At Mén Beni Gardening, our mission is to Renew the body, Reconnect the mind, and Reawaken the spirit through gardening, sustainability, and mindful practices rooted in ancestral wisdom.

  • Renew the body through curated lessons and hands-on activities that promote a natural, sustainable lifestyle, encouraging physical well-being and self-care.

  • Reconnect the mind through intentional teachings and experiences that restore our relationship with nature, community, and self.

  • Reawaken the connection to our higher self with guided practices, gardening traditions, and cultural teachings passed down from our elders, ensuring a deep-rooted understanding of our place within the natural world

Why Do We Need This Program

In American society, the transition to adulthood often lacks structured rites of passage, leaving many individuals without the guidance and community support necessary for personal growth. Without these foundational systems, people may struggle with identity, purpose, and connection.

Mén Beni Gardening provides a solution by offering intentional spaces where individuals can cultivate confidence in who they are, where they come from, and who they are becoming. By fostering a high vibrational connection to self and nature, we empower individuals to integrate these life skills into their daily lives and share them within their communities.

What We Do

What We Do

At Mén Beni Gardening, we create transformative experiences that blend holistic healing, sustainable practices, and cultural preservation. Guided by our core principles—Renew, Reconnect, and Reawaken—our initiatives foster individual and community growth.

  • Renew – We provide healing spaces that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being through yoga, gardening, financial empowerment, and self-care workshops.

  • Reconnect – We bridge communities to ancestral traditions and the environment through sustainable gardening, traditional herbal education, and culturally immersive workshops.

  • Reawaken – We ignite purpose and awareness by addressing food justice, environmental sustainability, and mental wellness, ensuring that our communities thrive for generations to come.

Our Programming

Our diverse programs reflect our commitment to holistic healing, sustainability, and cultural empowerment:

  • Manjé Avec Mwen – Our annual Haitian Flag Day initiative dedicated to feeding the homeless and providing essential resources, including meals, hygiene kits, showers, and access to mental and medical care.

  • Papillon in the Garden – A 4-week healing program designed for women, focusing on self-care, sustainability, and transformation.

  • Community Workshops – Immersive experiences like Sip and Plant, Fèy in the Garden, and Mind-Full Sundays that blend mindfulness, gardening, and cultural education.

  • Juneteenth Environmental Summit on Black Futurism – An annual event exploring gentrification, sustainability, and the future of Black communities.

  • School & Community Gardens – Sensory and grounding spaces that teach nutrition, emotional intelligence, and sustainable living.

  • Conversations in the Garden – A podcast guided by the principles of Truth, Purpose, and Wisdom, fostering meaningful discussions about nature, wellness, and community transformation.

  • Program Creation – Developing and curating new initiatives that align with our mission, ensuring continuous growth and evolution of our offerings for community empowerment and well-being.

Meet the Team

  • Fabienne Polycarpe

    Fabienne "Fabi" Polycarpe - Founder of Mén Beni Gardening

    Fabienne "Fabi" Polycarpe is a visionary environmentalist, artist, and holistic entrepreneur dedicated to healing and empowering communities through sustainability and ancestral wisdom. As the founder of Mén Beni Gardening, Fabi has cultivated a grassroots organization rooted in the principles of renewal, reconnection, and reawakening.

    Growing up in her mother’s beauty salon in Little Haiti, Fabi learned the value of natural remedies and intentional care. She holds a master’s degree in Environmental Management and Sustainability and has a diverse professional background, including experience in luxury development and the creative arts. Fabi’s holistic approach integrates her expertise as a gardener, hairstylist, and artist, inspiring others to embrace a sustainable and mindful way of life.

    Under her leadership, Mén Beni Gardening has become a beacon for transformative programs that empower individuals, uplift communities, and honor the interconnectedness of people and the environment.

  • Teara

    Teara Jackson - Mén Beni Gardening Board Member

    Teara Jackson is a dynamic community leader dedicated to advocacy and inclusivity. As a board member of Mén Beni Gardening, Teara brings her passion for empowering marginalized communities and fostering social change. Her work focuses on engaging with local laws, creating inclusive activities, and amplifying the voices of the elderly, LGBTQ+, Black, and other underrepresented groups.

    Teara’s commitment to equity and community empowerment is a driving force behind her contributions to Mén Beni Gardening’s mission. Her leadership and vision play a key role in shaping impactful programming that reflects the organization’s values of renewal, reconnection, and reawakening.

  • Keesha

    Keesha Morisma - Mén Beni Gardening Board Member

    Keesha Morisma is a visionary designer and stylist with a passion for sustainable fashion and community empowerment. As a board member of Mén Beni Gardening, Keesha brings her creative expertise and dedication to sustainability to support the organization's mission of renewal, reconnection, and reawakening.

    Her career spans years of innovative work in sustainable design, including hosting workshops for artisans in Togo, Africa, where she collaborates to bring her eco-conscious creations to life. Keesha's commitment to preserving culture and fostering sustainability aligns seamlessly with Mén Beni Gardening’s goals of holistic healing and environmental stewardship. Her insights and leadership play a vital role in driving impactful community initiatives.

  • Amarise

    Amarise DeFranco - Mén Beni Gardening Board Member

    Amarise DeFranco is a talented visual artist based in California, renowned for her ability to weave cultural elements into her animations and artwork. As a board member of Mén Beni Gardening, Amarise lends her creative vision and deep appreciation for cultural storytelling to amplify the organization's mission of healing and sustainability.

    With a career rooted in artistic expression and cultural preservation, Amarise’s work reflects a profound connection to community and heritage. Her dedication to using art as a tool for empowerment and transformation aligns perfectly with Mén Beni Gardening’s goals of fostering renewal, reconnection, and reawakening in the communities they serve.

  • Kimmi

    Kimmie Ducasse - Mén Beni Gardening Board Member

    Kimmie Ducasse is a Mindful Nature Guide, Traditional Herbalist, Food Forest Educator, Earth Steward, and Animal Whisperer who radiates the vibrant energy of a Child of the Sun and Ocean Mama. As a passionate energy worker and lover of life, Kimmie’s holistic approach to healing and sustainability embodies the essence of Mén Beni Gardening.

    With a profound dedication to preserving traditions that support sustainable living, Kimmie educates and empowers communities through her expertise in herbal medicine, land stewardship, and mindful connections with nature. Her unique ability to connect with both the earth and its creatures infuses every initiative with purpose and harmony.

    As a board member of Mén Beni Gardening, Kimmie plays an integral role in advancing the organization’s mission of renewal, reconnection, and reawakening, creating spaces where communities can thrive in alignment with the natural worl