By Alex Popa + Photos by @karvisual and @rootheshooter
Ricardo Joseph was born in Haiti but currently lives in Indianapolis. His life has not been easy, but it’s been rewarding and transformative. He says his early years in Haiti shaped his character, personality, and value system in ways that wouldn’t have been possible had he grown up in the US.
Ricardo believes hardship builds character and helps an individual become resilient and self-sufficient. But enduring nothing but hardship isn’t beneficial either, which is why he has a lot to thank his mother for. She supported and inspired him to become a better professional and human being, which allowed him to change his life in several positive ways.
Ricardo’s passion is cooking, something which he got from his mother. “My mom inspires me. When I was little, she taught me how to cook. I always dreamed of being a chef and having my own restaurant one day.” He remained faithful to that dream, and today he’s pursuing a career as a chef.
Work and Goals in Life
Ricardo’s passion is cooking, something which he got from his mother. “My mom inspires me. When I was little, she taught me how to cook. I always dreamed of being a chef and having my own restaurant one day.” He remained faithful to that dream, and today he’s pursuing a career as a chef.
Even so, Ricardo believes his greatest accomplishment is becoming a father, a role which he feels completes him like nothing else. He has a clear vision of the future: “My personal goal is being able to challenge myself, and my career goal is to open my own restaurant one day. I tend to accomplish things by planning what I need to do. I want to have to have my own epis and pikliz in five different states and also get my business credentials.”
Ricardo knows he has a long and strenuous road ahead of him, but he believes nothing is impossible if one is talented and determined.
What Haitian Youth Can Learn From Ricardo
Ricardo doesn’t claim he should be seen as a role model, but he believes that young Haitians with no purpose in life can learn a thing or two from him. That’s because, just like them, he too had a rough upbringing and came from nothing. And he managed to turn his life around through the power of faith, self-confidence, optimism, and hard work. And everybody can follow in his footsteps.
“I try to encourage the Haitian youth to stay strong,” says Ricardo. “If there’s a will, there’s always a way. God has something in store for all of us.” If he could speak to the masses, Ricardo would offer them a simple, but life-changing advice: “I would like to impact people to give. The more you give, the more you shall receive. I would discuss ways we should help one another and talk about Haiti and ways we can help each other move forward.”
“I try to encourage the Haitian youth to stay strong,” says Ricardo. “If there’s a will, there’s always a way. God has something in store for all of us.”
Ricardo believes progress is the result of shared goals and effort, and that nobody can succeed in life without support from others, whether it’s family, friends, or anyone interested in helping them. Although he’d made a small impact today, Ricardo hopes to one day change that and improve his online reach and visibility. He hopes this will not only change people’s lives, but his own, give him more freedom of expression, and help him improve as a human being.
Soup Joumou Recipe by Chef Ricardo Joseph
- 1 lb of beef
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- water as needed
- 1 large scallions, diced
- 1 half medium cabbage, diced
- 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 2 yams, peeled and chopped
2 malanga peeled and chopped
- 2 butternut squash, peeled and chopped
- 2 turnips, peeled and chopped
- 1 stalk of celery chopped
- 3 medium carrots, chopped
- 1 6 oz. package of spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper
- 4 parsley sprigs
Meat seasoning:
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 shallots, diced
- 1 tsp seasoning salt
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp epis
