By: Alex Popa
Ruth Chelsea Rocker, born and raised in Miami, Florida, is a dynamic beauty entrepreneur and content creator with deep roots in Haiti. Her mother hails from Port-au-Prince, while her father is from Cap-Haitien, and these influences have shaped much of her identity.
A significant source of inspiration for Ruth is her Haitian grandmother, who was a successful seamstress and business owner. Her grandmother’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit taught Ruth the value of hard work and perseverance, traits that now define her journey.
The Haitian Perspective
For Ruth, being Haitian has a profound impact on how she views the world. The resilience and strength that she inherited from her culture guide her through life’s challenges. “I think that’s because of the values and beliefs my parents instilled in me as a child,” she says.
Ruth takes immense pride in being Haitian, noting that the distinctiveness of Haitian culture—its trends, its vibrancy, and the sense of community—shapes her worldview. “Nobody would ever truly understand what it’s like to be Haitian or grow up in a Haitian household,” she explains.
Education and the Career Journey
Ruth graduated from the University of Miami in 2021 with a degree in public relations, complemented by minors in theater, marketing, and entrepreneurship. She later attended Sheridan Tech’s cosmetology program, earning her cosmetology license in 2022.
Today, she is a full-time hairstylist, business owner, and lifestyle/beauty content creator. Her passion for beauty and entrepreneurship has led her to launch her own business, Che Collection, from the ground up.
Accomplishments and goals
Ruth’s accomplishments are a testament to her drive and determination. Over the last year, she has reached over one million people through her Haitian Heritage Month content on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. She has also grown her social media presence, gaining thousands of followers across platforms. The Haiti Open’s Hot 100 Haitians honored her as number 58 in 2023.
Despite her success, Ruth’s ambitions continue to grow. Ruth plans to open her own beauty school that specializes in black hair, with the aim of building connections in the beauty industry to help her achieve this goal.
Ruth aims to increase her exposure through her content and photoshoots in the upcoming 12 months, with the ultimate goal of securing a magazine cover feature.
Giving back to the Haitian community
Ruth is committed to giving back to her Haitian roots. She has traveled to Haiti to donate school supplies to children in need and hopes to continue using her platform to highlight the beauty and resilience of Haitian culture. Through her creative ideas, she aims to provide more exposure to the people of Haiti and to inspire young Haitian Americans to pursue their dreams—whether in traditional fields or the arts.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Ruth loves to travel and experience adventure, whether it’s ziplining, snorkeling, or parasailing. She also enjoys modeling and creating content for her social media platforms.