The Agronomist

Dudley Alexis is an independent filmmaker who uses his lens to document the stories of people who are often overlooked. His storytelling is able to reveal their tales of tragedy and triumph, all while emphasizing their drive for dignity and equality in a world that frequently marginalizes them. His work focuses on the intersections between social justice, climate change, economics, and cultural memory. Dudley began his career as a filmmaker and visual artist in Miami, Florida, where he started producing short documentary pieces focused on the First Nation Miccosukee Tribe of Florida. His body of work has since grown to include several impactful documentaries, such as Liberty in a Soup (2016), which was recognized by UNESCO following the designation of Soup Joumou as an intangible cultural heritage. His acclaimed documentary, When Liberty Burns, offers an in-depth exploration of the life and tragic death of Arthur McDuffie at the hands of Miami-Dade police in 1979. This film earned nominations for both the Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards and the Knight Made in Miami Film Award. Recent works include the Edge of Hope, an examination of communities grappling with the frontlines of climate injustice in Miami, Florida. The Creole Pig: Haiti’s Great Loss (released on WLRN and PBS in 2025), tells the story of a vital and resilient animal central to Haitian rural life that was eradicated in the 1980s by the USDA and Haitian government—an event that deepened the country’s economic challenges.

Dr. Charlene Désir earned her doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is a research professor at Nova Southeastern University. She is a social activist dedicated to empowering communities through education, mental health, and cultural preservation. Her interdisciplinary work focuses on identity, intergenerational memory, and the role of spiritual and cultural knowledge in healing and education. As the founder of The Empowerment Network (T.E.N.) Global, she leads initiatives that support community engagement and well-being through culturally grounded practices. A past president of the Haitian Studies Association and Vice President of Kosanba- a scholarly association dedicated to Haitian Vodou, Dr. Désir brings together scholarship and lived experience to explore how communities navigate historical trauma, sustain cultural identity, and cultivate pathways toward collective healing and connection.