POJANEE "PJ" FLEURY
FOUNDER/CEO of BROWN EYEZ COMPANY
Pojanee or "PJ" is a Haitian-American, born and raised in New Jersey, USA. She is one of the most progressive community health advocates of today. Educated at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, she found her love for health and the social sciences. She completed her studies with a BA in Psychology and was very active in Stony Brook's Campus Student Life. PJ served as President of the Haitian Student Organization for two years and also served as Public Relations Chair and Vice-President of the organization. PJ also participated in various other organizations helping to organize art, cultural, and entertainment events which promoted unity and celebrated diversity on the campus. She left a legacy when she created the Unity Campus Basketball Tournament, which is still held at the University annually.
After college, PJ worked at a not-for-profit organization in New York City, at which, she served as a Case Manager for two years. PJ then went on to become a Prevention Worker. In her role as a Prevention Worker, she conducted workshops and lectures on Safe Sex, HIV/AIDS and STD Awareness and Education, Youth Issues, and other general Health Issues. Dedicated to educating those around her and the community-at-large about wellness, she founded Brown Eyez Co. (B-E-C) in January 2007 to educate the public and serve as a resource for those seeking healthier lifestyles. B-E-C markets media and community products that build and enhance the lives of community members. Brown Eyez Publishing Group is the publishing arm of B-E-C. Its first media product, Brown Eyez Magazine is a holistic health publication that blends health and entertainment. The magazine's mission is to promote wellness through out the African Global Community. Behind The Scenes Magazine is its sister publication focusing on the people and entities driving arts and entertainment; it is “the community’s backstage pass!” PJ’s passion for helping others and being involved in the community naturally extends to her native people of Haiti, establishing 4Haiti Magazine in 2010 to address the earthquake recovery process and to promote the RICH culture and history of Haiti. 4Haiti Magazine is now Kiskeya Magazine, which focuses on business and enterprise in Haiti. This shift in branding is due, in part, to the need for Haiti to become financially stable and also booming industries set to take off are little known, the magazine strives to promote Haiti as the next frontier, one familiar and yet untapped. This is true of other areas of focus PJ has honed; Africa is immensely rich and untapped in effective ways. PJ explores this in her role as contributing publisher of Western Africa Magazine, an international platform that connects global interests with Western Africa and surrounding regions. PJ has found a way to give community members across all sectors meaningful platforms to communicate concerns, as well as victories. In addition to publishing, PJ has also taken active roles serving as a community organizer creating social programs and mobilizing people around community challenges. PJ serves as Vice-President of Freedom Through Knowledge, an international youth enrichment and educational program. She has made several trips to Haiti, working on a documentary and connecting with the youth community. PJ has organized community panel discussions at venues such as the Left Forum and has made several trips to Albany, New York to speak to State Legislators on behalf of community members on public health matters and other social issues. A true community advocate, PJ works to spread the message of well-being to all. |